Bukayo Saka Branded “World Class” After Arsenal Star Breaks England Record vs Wales

Bukayo Saka scored a stunning solo goal as England thrashed Wales 3-0 in Thursday’s international friendly at Wembley Stadium.

The 24-year-old got fans off their seats in the 20th minute when he collected a pass from Ezri Konsa in the corner of the penalty area, before dazzling David Brooks with some fancy footwork and smashing a fierce left-footed strike into the top corner of Karl Darlow’s net.

Thomas Tuchel was visibly impressed and reacted by pumping his fists repeatedly on the touchline.

Saka’s goal came after early strikes from Aston Villa duo Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers had put the Three Lions in control.

Fans hail “world class” Bukayo Saka

Tuchel was not the only person impressed by Saka’s superb strike, which was his 13th in 45 senior international appearances.

Social media was full of Arsenal and England fans branding Saka as “world class” during and after the match.

One fan even declared: “Bukayo Saka is the best RW to ever play football for England”.

Another fan went even further by saying: “Call me crazy but Bukayo Saka is the best player in the world”.

A message from a third fan read: “Honestly can’t understand how people say Saka isn’t world class. Not many players can do that. He is INSANE.”

Saka has now scored three goals in his last three games for club and country.

“Bukayo Saka reminds England fans what he’s got… World Class,” read another tweet, while a different fan asked: “Saka is world class, how can anyone disagree?”

Plenty of Arsenal supporters enjoyed Saka’s latest international performance and one in particular sounded bullish about his chances of leading the club to glory this season.

“Injury robbed us of Bukayo Saka the killer last season, but he is stepping it up to a new level,” began a long tweet. “Three goals in three games with his fitness and sharpness growing by the minute. Arsenal must platform him over all others; he is the man who will lead us to the biggest prizes.”

Is Bukayo Saka world class?

The debate around Saka’s status has been rumbling for more than a year, with performances like Thursday’s certainly adding weight to the argument.

Rio Ferdinand was one of the first major pundits to publicly elevate him into that bracket. Speaking on TNT Sports earlier this year, the former England defender called Saka world class and said only Mohamed Salah could claim to be a better right winger in world football.

Ferdinand also insisted that Saka would “get in the Real Madrid team”.

Peter Crouch has also previously said Saka is world class, describing him as a “game changer” and pointing out that Arsenal look visibly weaker whenever he is missing.

Ultimately, team success is often what helps rubber stamp a player’s reputation as world class. If Saka fires Arsenal to Champions League glory or helps England win next summer’s expanded World Cup, it will be much harder to argue against him.

Bookmakers currently suggest England have a 12.5% probability of winning the World Cup, while Arsenal are second favourites behind Paris Saint-Germain in the outright Champions League betting.

Bukayo Saka breaks Arsenal/England record

Saka’s strike against Wales was significant for more than just its quality. His 13th international goal moved him clear as Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer for England.

He had previously been level with club legend Cliff Bastin, who scored his 12th and last England goal way back in 1938.

Most England goals by Arsenal players

Rank	Player	England Goals
1	Bukayo Saka	13
2	Cliff Bastin	12
=3	Tony Woodcock	9
=3	Ian Wright	9

England’s focus now turns to a World Cup qualifier away to Latvia on Tuesday.

Saka sounds excited ahead of that game. He said after Thursday’s win at Wembley: “We are building something good, and it is exciting to be part of it. I feel we’re progressing and going in the right direction under him.”

On his record-breaking goal, he told reporters: “It has been a while since I put the ball in the back of the net in an England shirt. It makes it even sweeter.”

Discussing how he cut inside before shooting, he added: “It is natural to me and something I have done for a while. I try to keep the defender guessing. You have to change it up, so they don’t know when to expect it.”