Saka: Henry message helped me to landmark goal

With motivation from club legend, Saka marked 200th appearance for Arsenal with his 100th PL goal involvement

It was a landmark Saturday for Bukayo Saka as Arsenal beat West Ham United 2-0 to go top of the Premier League - and he was inspired to it by a morning motivational message from club legend Thierry Henry.

Saka marked his 200th Premier League match with a penalty to score the second goal and seal the win.

It was his 100th goal involvement for Arsenal in the Premier League, having scored 55 times and provided 45 assists.

By doing so at the age of 24 years and 29 days, Saka became the seventh-youngest player to reach the mark, and the youngest overall in the competition since Romelu Lukaku did so in February 2017 at the age of 23 years and 267 days.

Ten youngest players to reach 100 goal involvements
Player Club Age Goals Assists
Michael Owen LIV 22y 57d 78 22
Wayne Rooney* MUN 22y 122d 73 18
Robbie Fowler LIV 22y 166d 86 14
Cesc Fabregas ARS 23y 237d 35 65
Cristiano Ronaldo MUN 23y 267d 70 30
Romelu Lukaku* EVE 23y 267d 76 26
Bukayo Saka ARS 24y 29d 55 45
Raheem Sterling* MCI 24y 120d 59 42
Harry Kane TOT 24y 120d 87 13
Erling Haaland MCI 24y 237d 84 16

*player exceeded 100 goal involvements in the match

Saka is the second-youngest to reach 100 goal involvements for Arsenal, after Cesc Fabregas did so in 2011 at 23 years 242 days.

"There's a lot to celebrate - a beautiful win, another goal and 200 [Premier League] appearances as well," Saka told Arsenal's website. “I'm very proud. I don't take these moments for granted, especially the last few months when I've had to miss games and watch from the stands as I've been injured. I'm going to enjoy it tonight and come back after the break ready to go again."

Saka also became only the second Arsenal player to score on their 200th Premier League appearance, after club legend Thierry Henry, who did so against Crystal Palace in February 2005.

In fact, Saka revealed Henry had sent him a motivational message in the morning.

"Thierry messaged me this morning to remind we lost the last two games to West Ham at home," Saka told Sky Sports. "He is always pushing me. I am really happy to have my name with his records."