Arsenal secured a convincing 2-0 victory over West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium. Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice both found the net in the match. The win, however, was overshadowed by an injury concern for Martin Ødegaard. Before the game, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry sent Bukayo Saka a motivating message.
Bukayo Saka reveals Thierry Henry message before West Ham match
Bukayo Saka disclosed that Thierry Henry contacted him before Arsenal’s Premier League clash against West Ham. Arsenal overcame their recent struggles against West Ham United with a 2-0 victory at the Emirates Stadium. The match featured milestones, leadership, and an injury setback.
Bukayo Saka captained the team after Martin Ødegaard’s injury. In his 200th appearance for Arsenal, the 24-year-old converted a penalty in the second half after Declan Rice had opened the scoring.
After the match, Bukayo Saka revealed that a message from Thierry Henry had motivated him. “Thierry messaged me this morning to remind me we lost the last two games to West Ham at home,” he told Sky Sports. Arsenal had indeed lost their previous two home games against West Ham in 2023 and 2024.
Thierry Henry’s continued influence on Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka
Thierry Henry, Arsenal’s all-time leading scorer, has been a mentor to Bukayo Saka. The winger noted, “He is always pushing me. I’m really happy to have my name with his records.” Bukayo Saka’s goal mirrored Thierry Henry’s feat of scoring in his 200th club game back in 2004. It also marked his 100th Premier League goal involvement, making him the seventh-youngest player to reach the milestone.
Mikel Arteta celebrated his 300th game in charge with the win. He praised Bukayo Saka’s consistency and development. “It’s exceptional what he’s doing at his age,” the Spaniard stated. “The impact he has is very difficult to achieve.”
Arsenal’s Martin Odegaard suffers injury setback
The victory propelled Arsenal to the top of the Premier League. They are currently one point ahead of Liverpool. However, the mood was dampened by Martin Ødegaard’s injury. The Norwegian captain was substituted after a collision.
“It’s not looking very positive at the moment,” Mikel Arteta admitted. This injury adds to Martin Ødegaard’s recent injury concerns. Arsenal awaits medical updates before their upcoming matches.
The win against West Ham was significant, but the injury to Martin Ødegaard is a concern for Arsenal. The team will need to adapt and maintain their momentum in the upcoming games. Bukayo Saka’s leadership and Thierry Henry’s continued influence will be vital as Arsenal navigates a busy schedule.
