Saka missed out on selection in September when nursing a fitness problem of his own. He was recalled for a clash with Wales and a 2026 World Cup qualifier against Latvia. The 24-year-old made the most of his opportunity in the first of those fixtures, with the Gunners forward lining up on the right of England‘s attack.
He saw Morgan Rogers fire Tuchel’s side into an early lead before another Aston Villa star, Ollie Watkins, doubled that advantage. Saka made it three inside the opening 20 minutes when he curled a spectacular strike into the top corner, having drifted inside onto his wand of a left foot.
Emirates Stadium team-mate Madueke had been on target for England in a World Cup qualifier with Serbia last time out, as he opened his senior international goal account, but he is now nursing a knee complaint and is not expected to be back in action until November.
His loss has been Saka’s gain, with a man that has 45 caps and 13 goals to his name reminding everybody what he is all about. He timed his moment perfectly as Tuchel had admitted during the build-up to a meeting with Wales that he is happy to select a settled team if everybody is performing.
Saka appears to have forced his way back to the front of the queue when it comes to right wing berths, with Tuchel telling reporters of the selection headache that he faces: “Good. That’s what we want. Noni is unfortunately injured. Noni was excellent in the last camp, he was electric. He then continued to play for his club while Bukayo was out for Arsenal in the same manner. We were very, very sad that he’s now injured, but Saka stepped up. He had to step up also.”
Tuchel added on there being even more to come from Saka, who has now scored in his last three appearances for club and country: “It was like his first camp where he comes without injury and it’s necessary. Like I said, the competition is on. Bukayo had a good performance like everyone else and showed what he’s capable of.
“I still feel there is a step to go for Bukayo to regain his rhythm, naturally after one or two injuries now, to regain his rhythm and his stamina. Then, he is a very important player for us and he will fight for his place because that’s what he does. He’s played for many, many years for Arsenal at the highest level and this is what we demand of him for England. He’s ready to go and that’s what he showed today.”
Saka’s eye-catching strike against Wales saw him claim his own piece of England history. A 13th goal for his country has made him the highest-scoring Arsenal player for the Three Lions – overtaking Gunners legend Cliff Bastin, who registered his last international effort some 87 years ago.
England legend Stuart Pearce told talkSPORT of Saka’s sizzler at Wembley: “The ball’s played past him and all of a sudden there’s a two-on-one overload and England are finding so much space. And that is one of the best goals I have ever seen in this stadium. An incredible finish.”
Saka will hope to retain his starting berth for a World Cup qualifying clash with Latvia on Tuesday. Tuchel may, however, decide to shuffle his pack slightly for that fixture, with Arsenal – who have moved to the top of the Premier League – eager to ensure that their collection of international stars are returned to north London in full working order.
