Thierry Henry spent some time at Arsenal while completing his coaching badges.
The legendary Frenchman, in many people’s eyes, is the greatest footballer to ever play for the Gunners. He made several young people fall in love with Arsenal.
Many players in Arsenal’s academy idolise Henry and those who got to work under him when he was at the club as a coach benefitted massively as well.
One of them is Bukayo Saka, and Henry has now made a very honest admission about the Arsenal number seven.
Thierry Henry reveals how Bukayo Saka has surprised him at Arsenal
Saka is a special talent.
The Englishman is still only 23 years old but he is already one of the best players in the Premier League. He has been unbelievable for Arsenal over the years, and we’re convinced he’ll get even better in the coming seasons.
Saka was a bright prospect during his time in Arsenal’s academy as well.
Everyone could see his talent, but there’s always a doubt when you’re in the youth setup over whether you could do it at the highest level.
Henry has admitted now that he never thought Saka had it in him to be this good. The Arsenal man has clearly surprised him.
Henry said on CBS Sports: “I really saw a player reaching his level. Right now, he’s hot, right? He has been hot for more than two years, let’s be honest.
“At the Euros, they asked him to play as a wing-back, he played as a wing-back. He goes and defends for his right back. He goes high and wide, he goes left, he goes in behind. He does everything without complaining.
“He plays every single game. He played in the Carabao Cup, he played last year after the World Cup straight away in the first round of the FA Cup I think it was.
“I saw him at the academy, I didn’t think he was going to be that good, I’ll be honest with you. But, when you work, you have that work ethic, you have a good family behind you, because I know the family, it’s very important.
“He’s a clever man, he works well. He would be a dream, you guys (Jamie Carragher and Micah Richards) played at full-back, if you have a guy like that in front of you, defending for you on everything and going on the counter, he makes the job easier for everybody.”
READ MORE: Bukayo Saka makes big Arsenal title prediction after beating PSG, Thierry Henry loved it
The one thing stopping Saka from being even better
Along with Mohamed Salah, Saka is arguably the best right winger in world football.
The Englishman has improved his numbers every season, and after directly contributing to 34 goals in the 2023/24 campaign, we expect that figure to go up this term.
The biggest difference between Saka and many other players who play in a similar position is the freedom they get. Most others are permitted to stay high up the pitch.
At Arsenal, however, Saka is asked to help out the right-back, which means he spends a fair chunk of each game in his own half.
That is holding him back, but it’s for the greater good. Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League, and the work Saka does has contributed to that.
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