Theirry Henry praises Arsenal star after ‘surprising’ development in recent years

Thierry Henry has expressed his surprise at how much Bukayo Saka has developed after the Arsenal man scored in their Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain, Soccernet.football reports.

The Gunners comfortably defeated Les Parisiens at the Emirates on Tuesday, with goals from Kai Havertz and Saka securing the result in the first half. Arsenal outclassed PSG, with Saka in particular, impressing throughout his time on the pitch.

Saka has established himself as a vital player for the north London outfit in recent years. He has become one of Mikel Arteta’s most important soldiers as Arsenal continue to push Manchester City at the summit of English football.

The England international has already contributed two goals and five assists in nine appearances this season, rising to the occasion when key members of the squad were unavailable.

However, Gunners legend Thierry Henry admitted his surprise at the winger’s level of development in recent years, having previously watched the Englishman during his academy days.

“I saw him at the academy and I didn’t think he would be that good, I’ll be honest with you,” he told CBS Sports as reported by The Mirror.

“But when you work, you have that work ethic, you have a good family behind you, because I know the family, he is clever, he works well.

“I really saw a player reaching his level, because right now he is at a level… hard to arrive. He has been there for almost three years if I am being honest.

“At the European Championships [with England] they are asking him to play wing-back, he plays wing-back. He goes and defends for his right-back, he goes wide, he goes left, he goes behind, he does everything without complaining, He plays every single game.

“He played in the Carabao Cup, he played after the World Cup straight away in the first round of the FA Cup. It will be a dream for a full-back to have a guy like that in front of you, defending like that, going on the counter, he makes the job easier for everybody.”