Thierry Henry names 2 players everyone was talking about at Arsenal before Bukayo Saka

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Bukayo Saka’s journey at Arsenal has been an incredible one.

The 22-year-old hasn’t made the easy journey up and deserves huge praise for what he has achieved so far.

There is a reason why Thierry Henry has a ‘soft spot’ for Bukayo Saka and it’s something he should cherish.

Arsenal have found it difficult to replace the greatness the likes of Henry brought to the table and win that Premier League title for the Gunners.

That’s why the club slipped into darkness and two years without European football after Arsene Wenger departed.

A fresh-faced teenager named Saka was coming through at that time, firstly given his debut by Unai Emery and then progressed by Mikel Arteta.

There were a number of dark clouds over the Emirates, but it’s players like Saka who helped wipe them out and he deserves huge credit for that.

Whilst the England star is probably his team’s most important player now, it was never the case when he was coming through, according to Henry.

The legendary striker shared that ‘people were talking about’ Reiss Nelson and Champions League finalist with Borussia Dortmund, Donyell Malen, before Saka, as he told Football Focus.

Whilst Malen is thriving in Germany and people doubted him also, Saka is certainly ahead of Nelson and proving that hype doesn’t always get you to the top.

Reiss Nelson, Donyell Malen and Bukayo Saka at Arsenal

“At the time, I was in the academy and people were talking about Reiss Nelson and Donyell Malen,” said Henry.

“Bukayo (Saka) was just ‘yeah, he’s good’. That’s why I had mad respect for Bukayo. I have a soft spot for him. He’s my favourite player.”

Bukayo Saka will become an Arsenal legend

You can just sense it. It’s written in the stars. One day, he will be talked amongst the greats.

It needs to be noted, he is only 22 and isn’t even in the best years of his career. He has 25 goal involvements this term after hitting the same amount during the previous campaign.

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That’s consistency from the all-action forward, including scoring four goals and supplying four assists from his nine Champions League matches.

Not forgetting that he is a very important player for Gareth Southgate ahead of Euro 2024.

If England are to end their barren run to win a major trophy on the international stage, then you just know that someone like Saka will play a huge part.