"He's always there for me" - Arsenal star Bukayo Saka opens up on relationship with club legend Thierry Henry
Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has spoken about his relationship with club legend Thierry Henry in an interview with CBS Sports. The England international is with the Gunners' contingent in Italy for their crunch UEFA Champions League tie with Inter Milan at San Siro on Wednesday, November 6.
For many years, Thierry Henry has been the gold standard for attackers in an Arsenal shirt, a role Saka is doing very well to emulate. Still only 23 years old, the talented forward has been one of the first names on the Gunners' team sheet over the year years. He is also one of the club's captains this season.
Bukayo Saka spoke with the press ahead of facing Inter Milan for the first time in the Champions League. Henry will remember the match-up fondly for his two goals and two assists in a 5-1 win in 2003. Saka revealed that Henry has been a constant source of guidance for him at the club. He hailed the Frenchman a source of inspiration, seeing as he achieved all that he hopes to at Arsenal as well.
Saka said (via Irish Examiner):
"The main thing I learned from him is the confidence. When you see the way he plays, the fear he strikes into defenders is already enough. I tried to take that from him. I've tried to play with more confidence, that belief that you're almost unplayable.
"The first interaction we had was when I was in the academy. From 14-15, he came and was doing his coaching badges. Obviously we all knew about him and even though he'd retired he still had the same quality. We did finishing with him, he was better than all of us!
"Since then, he's reached out to me and he's always there for me. Whatever I need to say to him, whatever he wants to say to me, I'm open. In difficult moments he's always open. He says 'I'm always free if you want to speak to me'. There are times when I can call him and get good advice.
"He's done what I want to achieve, winning titles with Arsenal. I'm really grateful to have that relationship with him. He's a top guy."
Henry played 377 games for Arsenal, registering 228 goals and 98 assists, winning two Premier League titles, among other honors.
Meanwhile, Bukayo Saka has been one of the most In-form players in England's top flight this season, with three goals and seven assists in only nine games. This season, he became his club's youngest-ever player to reach 50 Premier League goals.
Arsenal captain set to return to action against Inter Milan
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard is set to make his return to action for his side when they take on Inter Milan in the UEFA Champions League. The Norway international has been out of action since September, having injured his ankle while on international duty with his country.
Odegaard has been a huge miss for Arteta's side as he was absent for 12 matches over a two-month period in which his team struggled. The 25-year-old's absence has coincided with his side losing ground in their pursuit of domestic glory with defeats to Newcastle United and Bournemouth.
Martin Odegaard is expected to get minutes when his side faces Inter Milan at the Giuseppe Meazza as Arteta will be keen to get him back to his best. With just three games under his belt this season, the midfielder may take some time to get up to speed for his side.