Arsenal’s young star Bukayo Saka has sent shockwaves through the football world, revealing the invaluable mentorship he’s receiving from Gunners legend Thierry Henry. The England winger, who has become a cornerstone of Arsenal’s title-chasing squad, opened up about his close relationship with the club’s record goalscorer, leaving fans and rivals alike in awe of the secrets behind his meteoric rise.
Saka, now 24, shared that his bond with Henry began after the Euro 2020 final, and the two have since maintained regular contact via text. The Arsenal icon, known for his flair, intelligence, and unmatched goal-scoring prowess, has been guiding Saka on everything from mentality to on-pitch performance and even his demeanor in the dressing room. “Sometimes you have to think twice, is that really him?” Saka said, reflecting on the surreal feeling of receiving messages from Henry. “He’s really close to me. He’s really pushing me and pushing the club. He wants us to win.”
Henry’s advice, Saka revealed, covers a wide spectrum. “It’s everything—from mentality to how you play, to how you are in the changing room,” he explained. “He’s got a lot of experience, a lot of advice to give, so I just try and soak it all up like a sponge.” For Saka, having a mentor like Henry—whose legacy at Arsenal includes 228 goals and a starring role in the club’s invincible 2003-04 season—is nothing short of a dream. “I don’t think there’s anyone better to learn from,” he added. “It’s a pleasure every time I get to learn from him.”
The revelation of this mentorship has Arsenal fans buzzing with excitement, as Henry’s influence could be the key to unlocking Saka’s full potential. But it was Saka’s next bombshell that truly set pulses racing across the Premier League. Fresh off scoring in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over West Ham—a result that propelled the Gunners to the top of the Premier League for the first time this season—Saka celebrated reaching a remarkable milestone: his 100th direct goal involvement in just 200 Premier League appearances. At 24, he’s the seventh-youngest player to achieve this feat and only the eighth in Arsenal’s storied history.
Yet, true to his relentless ambition, Saka made it clear he’s far from satisfied. “It feels very good,” he said of the milestone. “But knowing myself, I’m always hungry for more.” His hunger, combined with Henry’s mentorship, has rivals trembling at the thought of what Saka—and Arsenal—could achieve next. The winger’s comments about the team’s position at the top of the table only added fuel to the fire. Despite a grueling start to the season, with away fixtures against heavyweights like Liverpool, Manchester United, and Newcastle, plus a home clash against Manchester City, Arsenal have emerged as table-toppers heading into the break.
“A lot of people have a lot to say on how we started the season,” Saka remarked with a steely edge. “Looking at the fixtures we had and the points we have now going into the break and our position in the Premier League, we’re proud and happy. When we come back after the break, we’re in a good place to push on in the Premier League, for sure.”
Saka’s words are a warning shot to Arsenal’s rivals. With Henry’s wisdom in his ear, a century of goal involvements under his belt, and a squad that’s weathered one of the toughest fixture lists in the league, the Gunners are poised to make a serious title charge. Fans are stunned, rivals are gasping, and Saka is just getting started. The Premier League better watch out—Arsenal’s starboy, mentored by a legend, is ready to take the throne.