Arsenal fans are dreaming that this could be the season they end their long wait to win the Premier League again - and if Bukayo Saka is in this kind of form, they will take some stopping.
Just 37 days since Saka was playing in the final of Euro 2024, the winger was back in competitive action and kicking off the new season in style.
Saka was Arsenal’s standout performer as they opened their account with a 2-0 win over Wolves, setting up his side’s opening goal before scoring the second.
It was a classic performance from Saka, one we have become used to seeing, but the fact he did it after a shortened summer break made it all the more impressive.
After losing in the final of this summer’s Euros against Spain, Saka was given some time off and missed Arsenal’s tour to the US before returning to training at the start of August.
He came off the bench in the friendly against Bayer Leverkusen last Wednesday, before starting in the win over Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday.
Not that you would have known, with Saka so sharp and he caused Wolves plenty of problems down their left side.
Arsenal’s right flank was their biggest weapon last season and it would appear that’ll be the case again, judging by this performance.
Martin Odegaard and Saka linked up well on numerous occasions, with Kai Havertz also joining them to make a dangerous triangle.
Saka went close a few times early on before setting up Havertz for Arsenal’s opener midway through the first-half.
The winger was given far too much time by Wolves and he picked out Havertz perfectly, who headed home the cross.
Arsenal did not kick on from there, with the visitors proving stubborn opponents, and it was not until late on that Saka put the game to bed.
This time Havertz returned the favour, playing a quick free-kick to Saka - who cut inside from the right before lashing the ball home.
It rounded off a perfect afternoon for Saka and this feels like a big season for the 22-year-old, who is approaching his peak.
The winger has improved year on year, and surely the next step is for him to move into the realms of being an elite goalscoring winger - such as Mohamed Salah.
Saka has steadily improved his finishing, hitting the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career last season, and there is undoubtedly more to come from him.
Arsenal shared the goals around last season, but the lack of a recognised No9 is a concern and only three times in the last 15 seasons has a team won the Premier League without having a player reach the 20-goal mark.
Perhaps, though, Saka can be the man to hit that target, just like Salah was for Liverpool.
Time will tell, but this was the perfect start to the season for the England star if that is his aim.
