THIERRY HENRY has claimed that the stats don’t show just how important Bukayo Saka is to Arsenal.
The Gunners legend reckons Saka’s influence is “second to none” and that the winger’s “eyes have changed” this season.
Saka has averaged over 22 Premier League goal contributions a season over the last four campaigns, but has managed only eight so far this term.
However, he has been a constant threat down Arsenal‘s right flank and Henry is convinced that his impact goes beyond the numbers.
Speaking to Betway, he said: “Consistency is key, and Bukayo has been consistent for the past two or three years with England and Arsenal.
“Sometimes, stats don’t tell you how a player plays. If you take Andres Iniesta and you only look at his stats, you’ll think he was an OK player. Now if you watch the game, it’s a different ball game.
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“Stats don’t tell you that Bukayo Saka goes up and down, defends the other winger, helps his right back, goes on the counter and tries to deliver.
“The amount of time that people kick him, he gets back up and he goes again, and he wants the ball in every situation.
“You have to watch the game to see that. Unfortunately, nowadays a lot of people only look at the stats.”
Henry added: “You have to watch the game to see what a player is doing, and what Bukayo brings to a team is second to none.”
Henry reckons it’s the intangibles that have changed with Saka too, claiming the 24-year-old seems more focused than ever on ending Arsenal’s 22-year wait to win the league title.
He explained: “His eyes have changed. You know when someone has that look, it’s over, and I think that changed a bit for Bukayo.
“Sometimes people said, ‘Bukayo is a nice guy.’ I don’t like that, personally.
“On the field, you don’t have to be nice. Winners are not nice. They want to win.”
That change could be down to Henry’s influence, after Saka recently revealed that it is the Frenchman that has helped him the most in football.
The pair are in regular contact and Henry has even described Saka as his “little brother”.
Saka’s Premier League stats
Here’s a look at Bukayo Saka’s goal contributions across the last five Premier League seasons…
- 2025/26: 4 goals, 4 assists – 20 apps
- 2024/25: 6 goals, 11 assists – 25 apps
- 2023/24: 16 goals, 12 assists – 35 apps
- 2022/23: 14 goals, 12 assists – 38 apps
- 2021/22: 11 goals, 7 assists – 38 apps
But Henry was reluctant to get into details about his conversations with the England international.
The 48-year-old, who won two Premier League titles with Arsenal, said: “I don’t want to say too much, but some of the guys have my number and whenever they want to call me, they know they can.
“What we talk about is for them to say if they want to, but they know they can call me and talk about life, football or whatever.
“I can only say thank you for what Bukayo said. It’s just calling a friend, I guess, because I consider Bukayo like a little brother in a certain way.
“Whenever I can speak to a player, I think that should be your duty. You don’t owe anything to anyone, but you give. I will say that honesty is key, so whenever I speak to a player I am brutally honest.”
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