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Bukayo Saka reveals mentoring from ‘amazing’ Thierry Henry.
Since his tragic penalty miss for England in the Euro 2020 final, Bukayo Saka has stated that Thierry Henry, the legendary former Arsenal player, has been in regular communication with him.
The Three Lions’ hopes of winning a major trophy for the first time in 55 years were dashed when Saka missed the game-winning kick against Italy, but he instantly gained praise by exercising incredible bravery to take a penalty at the age of 19.
The Arsenal winger quickly moved past his setback and had a fantastic 2021/22 season. Saka, who has three goals to his name after scoring the decisive goal in Sunday’s 3-0 victory against Senegal in the round of 16, has also been in excellent form for England throughout the World Cup.
Saka has talked favourably of the goodwill of former World Cup champion and Arsenal’s record scorer Henry, who first contacted him when a message from an unknown number appeared on Saka’s phone. Saka is currently expecting to knock France out of the competition in the quarterfinal round.
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“Thierry was in touch,” Saka said. “It meant everything. He’s shown a lot of his character to get my number and to reach out to me. “It’s not just from that moment. After most Arsenal games, he reaches out to me and he’s still so passionate about the club and he’s an amazing person.”
He continued: “I know how much my dad loves him and how much everyone at the club loves him and I know what he did for the club, of course.
“Thierry and Robert Pires have been around the club and spoken to me and helped me and they have supported me to this day, so I’m grateful to them. Of course, on the pitch, they delivered and they were magnificent and they delivered silverware for Arsenal, so they will be legends, always.”
Saka also played down comparisons to Kylian Mbappe’s World Cup form in 2018 and revealed whether or not he’d be prepared to take another penalty for England.
“First of all, thank you for the compliment … but no. There is only one Kylian Mbappe – and at the same time, there is only one me,” Saka replied. “I have progressed and matured as a player and a person since that moment [at Wembley].
“I would not have stepped up the times I have stepped up for Arsenal with penalties if I was not confident, so if the moment comes and if I am set to take it, I will be more than happy to.”