'I didn't think he'd be that good' - Thierry Henry gives honest assessment of Bukayo Saka | OneFootball

Thierry Henry has admitted he is shocked by just how good Bukayo Saka has become after the Arsenal star scored in their Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain.

The Gunners cruised to victory over the Ligue 1 champions at the Emirates on Tuesday, with first-half goals from Kai Havertz and Saka sealing the French giants' fate early on. Last year's Champions League semi-finalists proved no match for Arsenal, with England international Saka impressing in particular.

This is, of course, no surprise to Arsenal fans who have been raving about the quality of their winger for years. Saka has already provided two goals and five assists in nine appearances this season, stepping up when senior members of his squad were unavailable.

But, Gunners legend Henry has admitted that his talent was not always so obvious.

"I saw him at the academy and I didn't think he would be that good, I'll be honest with you," he told CBS Sports. "But when you work, you have that work ethic, you have a good family behind you, because I know the family, he is clever, he works well.

"I really saw a player reaching his level, because right now he is at a level... hard to arrive. He has been there for almost three years if I am being honest.

Henry is regarded as one of Arsenal's greatest ever players / IAN KINGTON/GettyImages

"At the European Championships [with England] they are asking him to play wing-back, he plays wing-back. He goes and defends for his right-back, he goes wide, he goes left, he goes behind, he does everything without complaining. He plays every single game.

"He played in the Carabao Cup, he played after the World Cup straight away in the first round of the FA Cup. It will be a dream for a full-back to have a guy like that in front of you, defending like that, going on the counter, he makes the job easier for everybody."

The Arsenal winger recently admitted that he thinks his team will win the Premier League title this season, after coming agonisingly close over the past two campaigns.

The Gunners return to action on Saturday when they host newly promoted Southampton in the Premier League.