Bukayo Saka: I'm really grateful to have that relationship with Thierry Henry

VA VA VOOM: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka has opened up on his relationship with Thierry Henry. Pic: Zac Goodwin/PA Wire.

For an Arsenal player, there is surely no greater compliment than being likened to Thierry Henry.

Yet despite his still tender age of 23, it’s a comparison that Bukayo Saka hears on a regular basis, with the winger admitting his has learned a lot from the Gunners great, whom he has a close relationship with.

"The main thing I learned from him is the confidence," Saka told CBS Sports ahead of Arsenal’s trip to the San Siro to take on Inter Milan, a fixture Henry once lit up with two goals and two assists in a 5-1 victory back in 2003.

"When you see the way he plays, the fear he strikes into defenders is already enough. I tried to take that from him. I've tried to play with more confidence, that belief that you're almost unplayable.

"The first interaction we had was when I was in the academy. From 14-15, he came and was doing his coaching badges.

“Obviously we all knew about him and even though he'd retired he still had the same quality. We did finishing with him, he was better than all of us!

"Since then, he's reached out to me and he's always there for me. Whatever I need to say to him, whatever he wants to say to me, I'm open. In difficult moments he's always open.

“He says 'I'm always free if you want to speak to me'. There are times when I can call him and get good advice.

"He's done what I want to achieve, winning titles with Arsenal. I'm really grateful to have that relationship with him. He's a top guy."