It is a delightfully common sight when observing Bukayo Saka. The winger, still only 23, comes flying down the right, captivates a fast-moving ball with a single touch, sends a veteran defender who should have known better flying to the ground, because what else could he do? But panic? — and picks his point with power and precision, a prototypical Sake goal, and one that can’t help but make you think of the legendary Thierry Henry. This is a name that is advisable to use in North London. Arsenal haven’t had a player like the Frenchman since he left in 2007. They may never have another.
Saka would be the first to object to any comparison with Henry. The trophies are not there yet. There may have been moments for the Ealing youngster, but few like those he intends to replicate on Wednesday at the San Siro, scene of one of the defining moments of Henry’s legend. However, two decades after a legendary 5-1 victory there, the parallels are increasingly difficult to ignore.
That night expectations weighed heavily on the Gunners but the results had not been as desired. For Arsene Wenger’s future Invincibles, the problems were in Europe, where they had ground to make up after a point from their first three group games. Mikel Arteta is not under as much pressure on the European stage on Wednesday night, but with two defeats in three Premier League games, a big night is needed. Its brightest stars will have to shine like never before.
Saka knows how far he has to go before his achievements match those of Arsenal’s greatest ever player, a man who may not have won a Ballon d’Or but was the most feared striker in Europe for a generation. However, he is determined to learn and give his game some Henrician flashes.
“The main thing I learned from him is confidence,” Saka tells CBS Sports. “When you see the way he plays, the fear he instills in defenders is enough. I tried to take it away. I tried to play with more confidence, that belief that you are almost unplayable.”
As Andrew Robertson can attest, that belief flows through Saka. A brilliant first game against Liverpooljust nine minutes into his return from injury, it was as convincing evidence of a superstar as Arsenal’s star man on the right has provided so far. And this already has the feel of the year as Saka propels himself into the upper echelon of the global game. In 12 games in all competitions so far this season, Saka has four goals and seven assists, all of them in the Premier League. He is providing for others at a rate that could see him equal Henry’s record, which he holds jointly with Kevin De Bruyne, of 20 assists in a Premier League campaign.
It’s not just production and stardom that unites these two. Anyone who watched Arsenal’s number 7 join CBS’ Champions League tonight after his starring role in his side’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain will have an idea of the link between Saka and Henry. This isn’t just Arsenal’s past and present sharing some tropes with each other, there’s a familial connection between these two. Sometimes very infrequently, but sometimes YouTube comments say it best. “Imagine growing up and having Henry as your idol and growing up to score in your kids’ club Champions League and Titi asking you when you’re coming to tea.”
As Saka points out, Henry had been guiding his career long before he became the Emirates Stadium favourite. “The first interaction we had was when he was at the academy. From 14 to 15, he came and was doing his coaching badges. Obviously we all knew about him and even though he had retired, he still had the same quality. Finishing with him , he was better than all of us!
“Since then, he has reached out to me and is always there to help me. Anything I need to tell him, anything he wants to tell me, I’m open. In tough times, he’s always open. He says, ‘I’m always free if you want talk to me.’ There are times when I can call him and get 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 an excellent guy.”
Both have to fight for stardom on and off the court. Those are the requirements to be the face of one of the biggest teams in England. Suddenly, top brands decide they’d like some of their reflected shine. He never seemed to rob Henry of his ‘va va voom’. Another lesson Saka must learn.
“He’s very focused on football,” he says. “It’s similar to me. We try not to think about other things.
“When we were kids, I aspired to be a footballer. I aspired to be a great player at Arsenal. The rest, off the field, was not part of the dream. Of course, when you’re here, it comes with that, but I’ll just keep that focus, having football as the main priority and keeping my feet on the ground.
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