“He gave me a lot of confidence” – Eddie Nketiah hails Thierry Henry’s impact on his career

Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah has received his first call-up to the senior England squad, marking a significant milestone in his career.

Nketiah, who holds the record for the most goals scored by an England under-21 player with 16 goals in 17 appearances, is set to make his senior international debut in upcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland.

The 24-year-old’s recent strong performances for Arsenal earned him the call-up, with notable contributions in the Premier League, including goals against Nottingham Forest and Fulham. Several key figures at Arsenal have played a role in his development, including former manager Arsene Wenger, who gave Nketiah his debut in 2017, and club legend Ian Wright, who has consistently praised his talents.

Nketiah also credited another iconic former Arsenal striker, Thierry Henry, for helping shape his game during his youth career. Speaking about Henry’s influence, Nketiah expressed his gratitude for the coaching and support he received.

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“Thierry [Henry] has been magnificent for me. I was able to be coached by him as a first-year scholar at 16, it was amazing, one of my best and most enjoyable seasons, being able to bounce ideas off him.”

“He gave me a lot of confidence and still to this day when I see him he is still supportive and still really helpful.”

“He came in and saw the quality I had when I was 16 or 17 and said that I just needed to believe in myself, whatever anyone else said. That is what is going to drive you, to motivate you. That’s probably one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever received.”

Henry, known as the greatest striker in Arsenal’s history and the club’s all-time leading scorer with 226 goals, recognized Nketiah’s potential when he was just 16 or 17 years old. He encouraged Nketiah to believe in himself, regardless of external opinions, which Nketiah considers one of the best pieces of advice he’s ever received.

Nketiah’s journey has led him to wear the famous No. 14 shirt for Arsenal, a number once associated with Thierry Henry himself. This transition underscores the impact of Henry’s guidance and Nketiah’s own growth as a player.