Arsenal icon sends Bukayo Saka heartfelt message after new double milestone hit | OneFootball

England star benefitting from constant encouragement from Gunners legend as Emirates career continues to go from strength to strength

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Thierry Henry has sent a heartfelt message to Bukayo Saka after his latest twin Arsenal milestone.

A fourth straight win across all competitions was marred by captain Martin Odegaard becoming the first player in Premier League history to be substituted before half-time in three successive matches, with his troublesome shoulder injury now followed by a potentially worrying knee problem.

Declan Rice will also need to be assessed before England duty after going off with a knock after scoring his first goal of the season against former club West Ham.

Saka followed Henry as the only Arsenal players to score on their 200th Premier League appearances for the club and received a warm message from his mentor on social media.

“From the academy to the Emirates. From your debut to 200 PL games, with 55 goals and 45 assists,” Henry wrote on Instagram.

“Keep on moving Bukayo. So proud of you.”

Speaking after the win over West Ham, Saka revealed that Henry had also messaged him on the morning of the game and often made contact to further push and encourage him.

“Thierry always messages me,” he said. “He messaged me this (Saturday) morning as well to remind me we lost the last two games to West Ham at home.

"He is always pushing me and I think he wants me there with him. It is nice to have that encouragement from him and of course me, I want it as well.

"I'm really happy on these records. I'm just going to keep pushing and try and get some team trophies, which is what we have been searching for."

On his latest Arsenal milestones, which Arteta called “unbelievable” and “really impressive”, Saka said: “I don’t really like to linger on these things, but you said it – it’s a beautiful achievement and I’m really proud of it.

“Obviously 200 games for Arsenal in the Premier League is a really big moment. I’m going to enjoy it and it was nice to get the goal as well and the win.”