It’s an image that comes up wonderfully often when watching Bukayo Saka. The winger, still only 23 years old, flies down the right, captivates a fast-moving ball with one touch, sends an experienced defender who should have known better flying to the deck – because what else could he do but panic? – and chooses his spot with power and precision, a prototypical Sake goal, which reminds you of the legendary Thierry Henry. That is a name that should be used advisably in North London. Arsenal have not had a player like the Frenchman since his departure in 2007. There may never be another.
Saka would be the first to refute any comparison to Henry. The trophies aren’t here yet. There may have been moments for the Ealing youngster, but few resemble what he is set to repeat on Wednesday at San Siro, the scene of one of Henry’s legend-defining moments. Twenty years after the legendary 5-1 victory there, however, the parallels are becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
Expectations weighed heavily on the Gunners that evening, but the results were not to their liking. For Arsene Wenger’s soon-to-be Invincibles, the battle took place in Europe, where they had to make up one point in their first three group stage matches. Mikel Arteta will not be under such pressure on the European stage on Wednesday evening, but with two defeats from three Premier League games, a big night is needed. Its brightest stars will have to shine like they have never done before.
Saka knows how far he has to go before his achievements can match those of Arsenal’s greatest ever player, a man who may not have won a Ballon d’Or but is Europe’s most feared striker for a generation. However, he is determined to learn and embrace his game with some Henrician flashes.
“The most important thing I learned from him is confidence,” Saka told CBS Sports. “When you see how he plays, the fear he strikes at defenders is enough. I tried to take that from him. I tried to play with more confidence, the belief that you are almost unplayable.”
As Andrew Robertson can attest, that belief flows through Saka. A brilliant opener against Liverpooljust nine minutes after his return from injury, was as compelling a testament to a superstar as Arsenal’s star man on the right has yet produced. And this already has the feel of the year as Saka propels himself into the top echelon of the global game. In 12 appearances across all competitions so far this season, Saka has provided four goals and seven assists, the latter of which have all come in the Premier League. He is looking after others at a pace that could see him equal Henry’s record, jointly with Kevin De Bruyne, of 20 assists in a Premier League campaign.
It’s not just performance and fame that connect the two. Anyone who watched Arsenal’s number 7 join CBS’ Champions League Tonight after starring in his side’s 2-0 Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain will get an idea of the bond between Saka and Henry. This isn’t just Arsenal’s past and Arsenal’s present sharing a few platitudes; there is a family connection with these two. Sometimes, very rarely, but sometimes, the YouTube comments say it best. ‘Imagine growing up and having Henry as your idol and growing up to score in the Champions League for your kids’ club and Titi asking when you’re coming over for tea.’
As Saka points out, Henry was managing his career long before he became the darling of the Emirates Stadium. “The first interaction we had was when I was at the academy. From the age of 14 to 15 he came and did his coaching badges. Obviously we all knew him and even though he had retired he still had the same quality. When we met When he finished him, he was better than all of us!
“Since then he has contacted me and he is always there for me. Whatever I have to say to him, whatever he wants to say to me, I am open. In difficult moments he is always open. He says: ‘I am always free if you want to speak to me’. There are times when I can call him for good advice.
“He has done what I want to achieve: win titles with Arsenal. I am very grateful to have that relationship with him. He is a top man.”
Both have to deal with fame both on and off the field. Those are the requirements of being the face of one of England’s biggest teams. Suddenly, top brands decide they’d like some of your reflected shine. It never seemed to rob Henry of his ‘va va voom’. Another lesson Saka should take to heart.
“He’s just so focused on football,” he says. “It’s like me. We try not to think about the other things.
“When we were growing up, I aspired to be a footballer. I aspired to be a great player at Arsenal. The rest, off the pitch, was not part of the dream. Of course, when you are here, it is is indeed the case.” That’s part of it, but I just keep that focus, have football as the main priority and keep my feet on the ground.”