"I didn't think he would be that good" - Thierry Henry makes claim about Arsenal academy graduate
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has said that he didn't envisage the kind of progress academy graduate Bukayo Saka has made in the last few seasons. The 23-year-old attacker is a key player in Mikel Arteta's side.
The Euro 2020 and 2024 finalist has made an impressive 235 appearances for the Gunners, contributing 60 goals and 58 assists across competitions. That includes two goals and five assists in nine games across competitions this season.
All five assists have come in the Premier League, where the Gunners are third in the standings after six games, a point behind leaders Liverpool (15) and behind Manchester City on goal difference.
Henry, who coached at the Gunners' academy while Saka was an up-and-coming player, told CBS Sports (via Daily Mail) about the Englishman's evolution.
"I saw him at the academy, and I didn't think he would be that good," Henry said. "I'll be honest with you. When you work, you have that work ethic, and you have a good family behind you, it's very important. He makes the job easier for everyone."
Saka joined the Gunners at the age of seven and played across age-group teams before making his first-team debut in 2018. Suffice to say, he hasn't looked back since then.
"I think this is the year" - Thierry Henry on Arsenal's Premier League chances
Thierry Henry has said that it could be Arsenal's year in the Premier League after coming close in the last two seasons. The Gunners haven't triumphed in the league since Henry and Co. featured in the memorable Invincibles triumph in the 2003-04 season.
Mikel Arteta's side came close to ending their long league drought in the 2022-23 season, leading for a record 248 days before running out of steam in the final few weeks.
They came closer still last season, keeping the title race alive till the final day of the season, before Manchester City avoided dropping points to win an unprecedented Premier League four-peat.
'I don't want to put too much pressure on us, but I do think that this is the year,' Henry said about his former side's title chances this season. "I think we've been close the last two years and we're getting closer, but this hopefully will be the year."
The Gunners - along with City - are the only two unbeaten sides in the top flight after six games.