Declan Rice has responded to Bukayo Saka's message on Instagram after the Arsenal and England star fired in his first ever hat-trick in a 7-0 win over North Macedonia.
Playing at Old Trafford instead of Wembley, Saka starred for the Three Lions as they continued a 100% record in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, completing a rampant week after being Malta 4-0 away on Friday. Saka, who was a standout player for Mikel Arteta this season with 14 goals and 11 assists, has continued his stunning form into international fixtures.
He now has seven goals and three assists in his last nine games for England and has cemented a place in Gareth Southgate's first choice XI. "I am delighted for him," Southgate said after the match.
"He’s had a slightly sore Achilles – for a few weeks – and it’s another one where it would have been easy to pull out of the camp and miss out on a night like this that I’m sure will live with him forever.
"When you have one of the best nights of your life it’s a reminder to everyone to go through these things."
Saka was part of the Arsenal side that narrowly missed out on the Premier League after pushing Manchester City deep into the season but will now be turning his attention towards going a step further in 2023/24. It promises to be another hugely exciting campaign for Arteta's men as they set plans for the Champions League as well.
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In order to make sure they are in a position to compete in Europe they have made some grand transfer plans including the imminent addition of Kai Havertz to their squad.
It is the midfield that is most heavily being looked at, though, with a failed move for Moises Caicedo in January and the likely exits of both Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka to follow this summer. Their sights have now been firmly set on West Ham's Declan Rice and two club record bids have already been tabled.
Their latest, worth £90 million in cash and £10m of add-ons, football.london understands, has also been rejected as the Hammers hold out. However, with Rice looking increasingly likely to move on from the club that he captains, Arsenal fans have already had a taste of what could be to come.
Their relationship on the pitch is seemingly just as good as it is off it, with the pair winning 11 of the 16 games for England they have started together, losing just three. When it comes to being friends off the pitch they are equally as connected.
Earlier this week Rice posted an image of him and Saka, saying: "Unbelievable way to end the season! @BukayoSaka87 on [fire emojis]."
He has now responded to a post Saka himself put up. The 21-year-old took to Instagram again, writing: "Honoured to have scored the first hat-trick of my career! Important steps taken towards qualification." Rice then dropped by to say simply: "[Star emoji] boiii."
Meanwhile Marcus Rashford, Gabriel Magalhaes, Aaron Ramsdale, Jack Grealish, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Callum Wilson were among the notable names also congratulating Saka.
