June 20, 2023 
By India Today Sports Desk: Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka said that it was the perfect end to the season following his maiden hat-trick for England. Saka scored a hat-trick as England hammered North Macedonia 7-0 in the qualifiers for Euro 2024.
Speaking to Channel 4 after the game, Saka said this was the perfect end to a really long season. Saka finished second in the Premier League table with Arsenal, behind treble-winners Manchester City.
“It's a feeling I can't put into words. I can't describe how I'm feeling right now. I'm so happy. It's been a really long season. It's the end of the season now. I couldn't have ended it in a better way. Time to relax and have a break. Perfect end to the season,” said Saka.
The 21-year-old heaped praise on England teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold, calling him a top player. Alexander-Arnold provided Saka with an assist for his second goal, just after half-time.
“He's a top player. At half-time he said to me he was going to do that pass. When I scored I was looking for him to thank him. I didn't have to break my stride,” Saka added.
Saka scored a hat-trick in a 7-0 thrashing of North Macedonia as they extended their lead atop Group C in Euro 2024 qualifying. Captain Harry Kane scored his 57th and 58th goals for his country, as did Marcus Rashford and Kalvin Phillips, in a game that the hosts dominated as expected.
Saka became the youngest England men's player to score three goals since Theo Walcott, who did so against Croatia when he was 19 in 2008. The Group C victory was England's biggest at home since a 1-0 win over Montenegro in November 2019.
England do not resume qualifying matches until September 9, and Southgate is looking forward to the break after a memorable season that was cut short by the World Cup in Qatar from November 20 to December 18.
July 20, 2024 
