Thierry Henry reveals three young Arsenal players predicted to surpass Bukayo Saka.

Bukayo Saka is now regarded as one of the world’s best wingers and a shining product of Arsenal’s academy, but Thierry Henry has revealed that his rise to stardom wasn’t always anticipated. During Henry’s time coaching Arsenal’s youth in 2015, Saka wasn’t the standout name, as other prospects like Donyell Malen, Chris Willock, and Reiss Nelson were more highly rated.

Henry, who briefly worked with Arsenal’s under-18s before leaving due to a conflict with Arsène Wenger over combining the role with his punditry, shared his admiration for Saka’s unexpected evolution. Speaking to BBC Sport, he said, “At the time, people talked a lot about Chris Willock, Reiss Nelson, and Donyell Malen. Bukayo was good, but he wasn’t the one everyone focused on. That’s why I have so much respect for him.”

Henry praised Saka’s development under Mikel Arteta, highlighting his versatility, improvement, and impact on both Arsenal and England. The winger scored 20 goals and provided 14 assists last season and is on track to replicate those numbers this year, with seven goals and 11 assists already. Henry added, “I never thought he’d reach this level. He went from being lively and hardworking to becoming a starter for Arsenal and England, delivering goals and assists consistently.”

Henry also joked about challenging Saka to work on his free-kicks, further showcasing his admiration.

The other academy stars, while not reaching Saka’s heights, have still forged respectable careers. Donyell Malen moved to PSV Eindhoven before joining Borussia Dortmund, scoring over 100 goals in his career and earning 41 caps for the Netherlands. Chris Willock transitioned to the Championship and now plays for Cardiff City after stints at Benfica and Queens Park Rangers. Reiss Nelson, meanwhile, remains tied to Arsenal but is currently on loan at Fulham, following previous spells at Hoffenheim and Feyenoord.