William Saliba has been a big part of Arsenal's season and recent upswing, leading the team to second place in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals this season. Ahead of the return of European competition in April, he has revealed the extent of Thierry Henry's influence on him as a child. Saliba had an Arsenal shirt with Henry on the back as a boy.
He reveals that Henry was his hero, but insists that he could never have dreamed he would one day follow in his footsteps.
He stated, "They [Arsenal] were on fire in 2005 and 2006." "Henry, Zidane [were my heroes].
"I don't know why I picked the Arsenal shirt, to be honest. It was destiny. My first shirt was an Arsenal shirt with Thierry Henry on the back.
To be honest, when you are young, you do not think about playing for Arsenal. It was just a good feeling to have the shirt on me. It is more when you grow up that you want to play.
"For me, Arsenal was so far [away], but in the beginning, it was just cool to have this shirt and to play football with it. Now I am happy to wear it every week."
Saliba spent a significant portion of his youth career at French side AS Bondy.
He may be considered one of the world's best defenders at the moment, but the Frenchman revealed that he actually started his career at the other end of the pitch.
He added: “Yes, [it’s a dream come true] because it’s a very big club. When I was little I bought an Arsenal jersey with Thierry Henry [printed on the back]. I'm still sporting the Arsenal uniform a few years later. I’m so proud.”
The teenager also revealed that he’s already struck up a rapport with fellow new boy Gabriel Magalhaes via a mutual friend.
“I’ve already played against him in France and I have a friend who knows him,” he revealed.
“I’ve spoken to him since he’s come here, I’m very excited. We are young so we have to learn from defenders like David Luiz and the others.”
"I grew up watching him play - I watched videos rather than full matches because I didn't have the Premier League channel, but sometimes I was lucky enough to watch them in the Champions League. That's when my liking for Thierry and the club began.”
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