Bukayo Saka completely changed England's fortunes after coming on during their 3-3 draw with Germany in the UEFA Nations League on Monday, sparking massive excitement among Arsenal fans as they gear up for their Premier League clash against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Young sensation Bukayo Saka has been a revelation over the previous two seasons since making the Arsenal first team, and the Englishman has earned the right to be named Player of the Season twice in a row. However, although the Gunners are sitting on top of the Premier League table, the winger has looked a little lacklustre this season.
But the international break with England may have done more good than harm for Saka. After receiving criticism for starting Saka at wingback against Italy, Gareth Southgate substituted the Arsenal star for the final 20 minutes of the Three Lions' UEFA Nations League clash against Germany when the team were down 2-0 and Saka wasted no time in transforming the game.
Bukayo Saka was involved in all three England goals after coming off the bench against Germany. 🤩
Should he be a guaranteed starter in England's World Cup team? pic.twitter.com/aE1lfmllNc
England turned the game around with three goals in 20 minutes with Saka running rings around the Germans, and only a last-minute equaliser from Kai Havertz spoilt the night for Southgate's men.
Saka undoubtedly made England fans happier because the World Cup 2022 in Qatar is just under two months away. However, more significantly, it appears that the 21-year-old is back in top form ahead of Saturday's North London Derby, sparking massive excitement among the Gunners.
With Saka and captain Martin Odegaard in charge once more, Arsenal ought to be firm favourites to defeat Tottenham Hotspur when they face each other at the Emirates on Saturday.
Here's a look at how Arsenal fans reacted to Saka's sublime touch in England's clash against Germany and how the winger is expected to come good this weekend:
🗣Joe Cole on Bukayo Saka and Mason Mount vs Germany: “The substitutions, Saka and Mount, they were absolutely outstanding. They will be the envy of many teams at the World Cup. It was an outstanding performance, but it was from the gut. Those lads showed so much spirit." 💯👍 pic.twitter.com/1xqNgQbJTF
— Arsenal News Channel (@Arsenalnewschan)Saka in the half spaces, i sense danger 🥶😮💨 pic.twitter.com/w8nhRZVfK9
— S👻 (@scrapytweets)That Saka cameo just a lil foreplay to the actual performance coming this Saturday
— Raf🇧🇩(tottenham get battered everywhere they go) (@rfprods1)Saka hitting form before Tottenham. pic.twitter.com/cXlNOhn7Ma
— Ryan (@AFCRRE)I love how much Tottenham fans think Saka is shit when he literally walks into their starting 11 🤣
— Jack (@Jaccknight)If for anything at all, if Arsenal want to push Jesus into midfield, we can allow our RB to move up high like James does so that Saka occupies that middle space where Ødegaard usually uses but Sakaseems to be red hot and dangerous as well! pic.twitter.com/RmpoBsFK5d
— GravityGooner✨ (@Gravitygunner14)Bukayo Saka played only 25 minutes and was involved in all the three England goals restoring hope before the FIFA World cup.. come on you gunners... Guess his performance in the North London derby pic.twitter.com/Avjz2jczB0
— Baldev Clive (@baldev_clive)The England squad were evidently impressed by Bukayo Saka's performance off the bench vs Germany last night.. 🔥👏 pic.twitter.com/UxetPAdOgL
— AFN (@afcfannation)Did anyone notice how good Saka was inside the halfspaces where Odegaard usually operates last night?
That's why I've always said that Saka is himself a playmaker and we need to treat him as one. Give him a dynamic runner. Let him run that flank himself. He's not a pure winger. pic.twitter.com/VpE9ftRSxH
Remember when I compared Saka to a young Lionel? Jude Bellingham agrees. pic.twitter.com/bSaauwh0cV
— AI (@nonewthing)Big up Bukayo Saka for confidently balling out for England every time he gets the call up.
Suffered unbearable, disgusting abuse last summer after the Euros final. That shit was not okay but he stays doing his best. 🫶🏾
Bukayo Saka to win the World Cup 2022 golden boot
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI)Bukayo Saka.
Take. Turn. Drive.
He's improving all the time.pic.twitter.com/T4vxoHI22D
Saka has been outstanding for Arsenal for some time now. He is certainly knocking on the door for a starting spot in Qatar🌶️ pic.twitter.com/n15dqc7DOZ
— Arsenal Fans Network (@Real_Arsedevils)Just after meeting & playing with Saka, Mount finally gets his 1st goal of the season. Not a coincidence he played well after meeting our starboy. pic.twitter.com/Iajl2z3xYh
— 𝕽𝖚𝖙𝖙𝖔 (@Sakabs7)Phil Foden is good because he plays for Manchester city
Mount is ok because Chelsea has no good players
Bellingham is a star because he plays in Germany
And there is Saka who is good because he's Saka 👏👏
A mad cameo from Starboy Saka tonight
GAME CHANGER! Start him! pic.twitter.com/ucnwlB3lyP
— Danny (@DaDesigns86)💫 Bukayo Saka deserves a knighthood - England player of the year, British style icon, anti-racism advocate, Arsenal Starboy. All this at the age of 21-years-old! ⚪️🔴 pic.twitter.com/36P2W9Zbwe
— Gooner Chris (@ArsenalN7)If you don’t rate Saka you do not know ball or don’t watch him play nearly enough.
He is so good.
Even when he doesn’t get goals or assists for Arsenal he is still the best player on the pitch nine times out of ten.
Saka in the half space; IQ, decision-making and pass selection is top tier. Didn’t get his goal tonight but he got something for Spurs in the NLD this weekend
— Pablo Aimar (@SVCarbaholic)Trying not to have my Spurs bias on but has anyone actually seen Saka have a good game yet? Amazing how much praise he gets for someone so predictable and ineffective.
— Spursy Jim (@spursyjim)