Bukayo Saka made his first start in over 100 days for Arsenal when Real Madrid visited the Emirates.
After recovering from a torn hamstring, Saka took no time to announce his return to the Arsenal squad.
The Englishman scored seven minutes after coming off the bench against Fulham, followed by a cameo at Goodison Park and then a start against Real Madrid.
Though the winger didn’t score, Saka was the driving force behind Arsenal’s win over Madrid, letting the world know that he’s back and hungrier than ever.
How Bukayo Saka celebrated Mikel Merino’s goal
Putting his performance against Real Madrid aside, Gary Neville praised Saka for his passion for the game.
The boyhood Arsenal fan’s desire to play and the excitement that football gives him make him so loved at the Emirates.
Even after his night on the pitch had ended against Real Madrid, Saka’s love for the Gunners shone through, as he was spotted celebrating Mikel Merino’s goal.
Saka came off the pitch one minute before Merino scored, and was seen falling to his knees when the Spaniard netted Arsenal’s third.
Footage showed the winger put his arms in the air with joy before collapsing in elation, a feeling shared by every Arsenal supporter in the stadium.
The Hale End graduate was forced to become accustomed to celebrating goals away from his teammates during his injury, with his emotion spilling out when Merino secured Arsenal’s three-goal lead to carry to the Bernabeu.
Why Saka was substituted against Real Madrid
Though the scenes of the forward celebrating on the sidelines were heartwarming, there was some worry after Arteta hooked him in the 74th minute.
Saka went to ground after being challenged, seeing him substituted soon after, which allowed for anxiety to creep in.
Fortunately, after the game, Arteta confirmed that Saka was substituted precautionarily, insisting that the 23-year-old was ‘fine’ after being kicked.
“He is fine, I think it was a kick in the free kick action,” the Arsenal manager said.
It was a night to savour for Saka, who has seen all walks of life at Arsenal, with few occasions as savourable as the win over Real Madrid.
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