Bukayo Saka returns to action for Arsenal in a friendly against Luton ahead of Boxing Day fixtures

Bukayo Saka had to put England's heartbreaking World Cup exit behind him as he returned to action for Arsenal in a friendly against Luton ahead of the Gunners' Boxing Day clash with West Ham.

Saka played an integral role during England's World Cup campaign, with Gareth Southgate starting him in four out of five games in Qatar.

The 19-year-old Arsenal star scored three times during the World Cup - twice against Iran in England's opener, and once against Senegal in the last-16.

But Saka was also involved in England's heartbreaking quarter-final defeat to France, which saw the Three Lions dumped out of the World Cup.

Now, with just a matter of days before the Premier League is back, Saka was retuning ahead of the Arsenal's anticipated return.

Saka was pictured playing in 0-0 stalemate with Luton at Arsenal's London Colney training ground in what was Mikel Arteta's side's final test before they look to continue their form as league leaders.

Arteta named a strong starting XI, with another World Cup star Gabriel Martinelli also getting back into the swing of things ahead of Boxing Day.

Aaron Ramsdale, who was in England's squad but did not get on the pitch, was also involved - as was Granit Xhaka, who was arguably Switzerland's best player in Qatar.

The only other World Cup star involved in the Luton friendly was Thomas Partey - who did not have a successful time in Qatar with Ghana.

Saka almost scored just two minutes in but was marginally caught offside, while Martinelli curled wide just before the break.

Saka's England team-mate Ben White was also in action against Luton - after the Three Lions defender flew back from Qatar without playing any minutes due to 'personal reasons'.

There were reports that the England man had a bust-up with Gareth Southgate's assistant manager Steve Holland but the Three Lions boss rubbished these accusations.

The fallout from Saka's decisive penalty miss in the European Championship final shootout loss to Italy in the summer of 2021, and the disgusting racist abuse that followed, is well-documented.

But the 21-year-old is now flourishing in an Arsenal and England shirt, with the forward picking up five goals and six assists before the winter break.

Saka was also voted England's Player of the Year by fans for 2021-22, beating Harry Kane and Declan Rice, who came second and third respectively.