Saka credits Thierry Henry's loyalty as Arsenal chase first Champions League title

Bukayo Saka has revealed that Thierry Henry sent him a personal message and travelled to the Puskas Arena to support Arsenal ahead of their Champions League final, describing the club legend as someone who has been present “in the good and bad moments” throughout his career.

Saka, 24, quoted Henry directly: “He just said: ‘Afternoon, I’m here, I’ll see you outside after training. I’m going to be here.’” The winger added that he has “a lot of love” for Henry and appreciates his consistent support.

The significance of that relationship runs deep. Henry has previously admitted there were doubts about whether Saka would make the grade as a professional — doubts that Saka’s character and determination ultimately proved wrong. The forward joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at the age of seven, made his first-team debut in 2018, and has since become one of the club’s most important players.

“We all know where my journey started,” Saka said. “Seven or eight years old at Hale End, this was a long, long way away — trying to win the Premier League, trying to win the Champions League with Arsenal. It feels like this last week it’s all become a reality and tomorrow is another exciting opportunity to create more history and win another for the club that I love.”

Arsenal have already secured the Premier League title this season, meaning victory in the final would deliver a Double that no previous Arsenal side — including the famous Invincibles — has managed. Winning the European Cup would also be a first in the club’s history.

Saka was equally emphatic about the transformation overseen by manager Mikel Arteta, who took charge of a side widely mocked before rebuilding it into genuine contenders on both the domestic and European stage.

“We were very far away from the level we are now,” Saka said. “But Mikel made it clear that he wanted to bring Arsenal back to where we believe it belongs — competing at the highest level, fighting for all the trophies. I’m proud I can sit here today and say that we’ve achieved that in winning the Premier League. Playing in this final, it’s been a long journey with some disappointments along the way.”

For a generation of Arsenal supporters, Saka carries echoes of David Rocastle — a homegrown talent whose loyalty and quality made him a symbol of the club rather than merely a player at it. Whether or not that comparison holds, Saka’s place in the club’s modern history is already secure. A Champions League winners’ medal would make it extraordinary.