'He reminded me we lost our last two home games against West Ham' - Saka grateful for Thierry Henry texts

Saka celebrated his 200th Premier League appearance and his 100th goal involvement against West Ham on Saturday.

SAKA CAN: Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring his side's second goal. Pic: John Walton/PA Wire.

Arsenal 2 West Ham 0

Bukayo Saka’s rise at Arsenal has been rapid, decorated by goals and milestones. But behind the numbers sits something more personal.

As the young forward celebrated his 200th Premier League appearance and his 100th goal involvement with a decisive penalty in a relatively rare home win over West Ham, his thoughts were on a figure who shaped the club’s past and is now helping to shape his future.

On the morning of the match, his phone buzzed with a message from Thierry Henry. For a boyhood Arsenal fan who has grown into the team’s talisman, the idea of Henry acting as confidant and mentor is still almost surreal.

“He messages me a lot and I message him too. This time he reminded me we had lost our last two home games against West Ham. I'm just really grateful to have that relationship because we all know who he is and what he's done in the game, especially for this club as well.

"I don't think there's anyone better to learn from. It's a pleasure every time I get to learn from him and get to listen to him and give me some advice.”

However he is regarded elsewhere, Henry’s status at Arsenal is untouchable. His 228 goals and dominance defined an era. But what stands out in Saka’s words is not the awe, it is the sense of ongoing conversation. The greatest goalscorer in the club’s history has become a sounding board for its brightest current star.

“Sometimes you have to think twice, is that really him? Now I'm starting to get used to it. He's really close to me. He's really pushing me and pushing the club. He wants us to win. He's also a fan, so that's nice.”

Something is revealing in that last line. Henry is no distant legend sending occasional messages of congratulations. He is invested, he watches, he urges. He is, as Saka says, a fan. For a young player who carries so much of Arsenal’s attacking responsibility, that kind of connection can be a source of both inspiration and reassurance.

Asked what exactly he has taken from Henry, Saka doesn’t narrow it down to one trick or tactical detail. His answer speaks to the breadth of Henry’s influence.

“I think it's everything, from mentality to how you play, to how you are in the changing room. It's a lot of different things. 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.”

The image of Saka as a sponge, soaking up the words of a player he grew up idolising, captures the balance of his career at this point. Despite turning 24 only last month he is already a senior figure in the Arsenal dressing room and a key part of Mikel Arteta’s plans.

He took over as captain when Martin Odegaard went off injured in the first half and denied struggling striker and spot kick specialist Viktor Gyokeres a penalty opportunity when the decision went Arsenal’s way in the second half. Leading through only Declan Rice’s first half strike, there was no margin for error.

“No, when I grabbed the ball I wanted to take it, so that was my thought at the moment,” he said when asked whether there was any doubt over who would step up. We'll keep our conversations [about who takes them] in the house for now. I won't say much more.

“It feels very good,” he added of reaching 100 Premier League goal involvements.

“Knowing myself, I'm always hungry for more, but at these moments I need to not take it for granted, especially being out with a few injuries in the last few months. I don't take these things for granted anymore, so I'm really happy with that milestone. Like I said, I want to push on for more.”

Saka’s immediate focus now shifts to England duty, where he returns to Thomas Tuchel’s squad determined to make up for time lost to injury.

“Yes, I'm really happy to be back playing for England. I've missed a lot of fixtures under Thomas Tuchel, which I'm not happy with. A lot of them due to injuries. I'm really happy that I get a chance to come back to St George's Park and train with the team, play with the team. I'm looking forward to it.”

For Arsenal, though, the significance of this weekend extends beyond three points and league position. Saka continues to develop not just as a match-winner but as a leader, shaped partly by his own experiences and partly by the guidance of a club legend. Henry once carried Arsenal on his shoulders.

Now, through advice, encouragement and shared ambition, he is helping the next generation to do the same.

Arsenal: Raya 6, Timber 7, Saliba 6, Gabriel 6, Calafiori 7 (Lewis-Skelly 74), Rice 7 (Merino 79), Odegaard 6 (Zubimendi 30), Eze 6 (Martinelli 79), Saka 7, Trossard 6 (Nwaneri 74), Gyokeres 5.

West Ham: Areola 6, Wan-Bissaka 6 (Walker-Peters 79), Kilman 6, Mavropanos 6, Diouf 6, Magassa 5 (Potts 61), Paqueta 5, Fernandes 5, Summerville 6, Bowen 6, Fullkrug 5 (Marshall 61).

Referee: John Brooks 6.