Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick for England on Monday, but Gareth Southgate says the winger has been carrying an injury.

After coming off early in England’s first game of the international break, Arsenal fans were largely encouraged to see Bukayo Saka returning to the starting lineup against North Macedonia on Monday.

The winger certainly impressed in his hour on the pitch, scoring a fantastic hat-trick.

Yet despite Saka’s strong performance, Gareth Southgate revealed afterwards that the Arsenal man has been carrying an injury problem.

“He’s had it for a few weeks,” Southgate said. “It is an injury that just needs managing. When you’ve had one of the best nights of your life, it’s a reminder that it’s worth going through these things.”

That’s obviously not anything Arsenal fans want to hear, considering Saka’s importance to Mikel Arteta’s side.

Saka will now go on his holidays, so that will give him a chance to rest up a bit. But given this injury pre-dated his appearances for England, it raises questions about why he was even involved in the break.

As well as Saka did against Malta and North Macedonia, forcing a Malta own goal in the first game and scoring a hat-trick in the second, England would surely have won both matches either way.

Saka has lost a couple of weeks of extra rest to put the cherry on top of a couple of England wins, which isn’t a trade-off many Arsenal supporters are likely to be happy with.

From Saka’s point of view, it was always unlikely he’d turn down the chance to represent his country again, and his first professional hat-trick will feel like a worthwhile reward for his efforts.

In the first half, Saka gave England a 2-0 lead with a powerful finish high into the net on his weak foot.

What a strike from Saka ⚡️

England's starboy does it again in qualifying 😍#C4Football | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/vTxOuK7VTq

— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) June 19, 2023

The second goal was even better, as Saka pulled a Trent Alexander-Arnold long ball out of the air before firing home from distance on the half-volley.

Out. Of. This. World. 🌎

You won't see a better goal than this from Bukayo Saka 😱#C4Football | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/RNtxRKfAl6

— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) June 19, 2023

Saka wrapped up his hat-trick with a much simpler finish, passing into the net when one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

Saka seals his hat-trick 🎩

Incredible performance and the second half has only just started 😅#C4Football | #ThreeLions pic.twitter.com/EpeUedGjUz

— Channel 4 Sport (@C4Sport) June 19, 2023