Bukayo Saka Returning to His Best Form at Arsenal

Following the World Cup and a short rest, Saka linked up with the Arsenal squad again. He made his first appearance of the campaign in the Community Shield, entering the match with the Gunners already 3-0 ahead of Manchester City.

The pace and energy he displayed during his brief appearance were qualities that had appeared to fade late in the previous season, when the winger was trying to help his side finish strongly.

After producing an outstanding display against Coventry in the opening Premier League fixture, he suggested that limited playing time at the World Cup, followed by a summer break, had helped him return to peak condition.

“I trained consistently because I wanted to be fully prepared for the new season and able to support the team in the way I know I can,” Saka said after the victory.

“The main thing was finding the right balance during my time away and avoiding an excessively long break. I rested for seven days before resuming training.

“I have worked extremely hard since then and now feel strong. My aim was to return in excellent condition and make sure I was taking proper care of my body.”

His determination appears to have been driven by the disappointment of England falling short of their World Cup ambitions, prompting him to resume training several days ahead of schedule.

“The World Cup did not unfold as I had hoped, either personally or for the team,” he explained.

“Once the tournament and the season were over, I felt more motivated than ever and was eager for the new campaign to begin.”