Star Bukayo Saka revealed he got a special message from legend Thierry Henry before the London derby against West Ham.
The match not only marked Mikel Arteta’s 300th game managing Arsenal but was also memorable for Saka as he reached 200 Premier League appearances and scored his 55th goal for the Gunners.
The precise penalty in the 68th minute not only sealed the victory but also helped the 24-year-old reach 100 goal contributions (55 goals, 45 assists) in the Premier League.
After the match, Saka shared about a memorable conversation with legend Henry: “Thierry always texts me. This morning, he reminded me that we lost the last two home games to West Ham. He constantly pushes me to improve and wants me to achieve what he once did. It’s great to get that kind of motivation,” Saka said. “I’m happy about these milestones, but the biggest goal is to bring trophies to the team.”
Saka frequently exchanges messages with Thierry Henry (Photo: Arsenal Insider)
Arsenal dominated from the start, but Viktor Gyokeres missed several clear chances before Declan Rice, facing his former club, scored the opener with a rebound in the 38th minute. In the second half, Jurrien Timber was fouled in the box and Saka calmly doubled the lead, securing a comfortable and convincing win for the hosts.
After the game, Coach Arteta expressed his pride: “His numbers are incredible: 200 games, 100 goal involvements at only 24 years old. More importantly, Saka’s attitude is humble, resilient, and always team-focused. He is exactly the type of player Arsenal needs to reach big ambitions.”
The English forward is Arsenal’s top star (Photo: Club)
On the other side, coach Nuno Espirito Santo gave a debut to young talent Callum Marshall, showing intent to refresh West Ham’s attack. However, the visitors could not stop Arsenal’s consistent form, a team that has clearly matured after bitter lessons in the past.
With this win, Arsenal climbed to sole top of the table after Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea. For Saka, he is proving to be the new icon of Emirates, following the path Henry once paved.
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