England striker Eddie Nketiah credits ex-Arsenal star for motivation

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Arsenal and England striker Eddie Nketiah has expressed gratitude towards Thierry Henry for his significant role in assisting him to become a better player

Nketiah received an invitation to the England senior team and has been in decent form for the Gunners this season.

Currently, at 24 years old, Nketiah holds the record as the highest-scoring Under-21 player for England. He was recently ushered into Gareth Southgate's team for the forthcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland, marking his first major inclusion.

Nketiah had his first stint in an Arsenal jersey six years prior, while his latest appearance for England's Under-21 team took place in 2021.

His record stands at 34 goals in 136 matches for Arsenal, with his unforgettable first home game off the bench yielding a double goal and securing a formidable EFL Cup match win against Norwich.

"Thierry has been magnificent for me," said Nketiah.

"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 and he gave me a lot of confidence and still to this day when I see him he is still supportive and still really helpful," the Arsenal striker added.

Asked for the best piece of advice he received from the France World Cup winner, whose old number 14 shirt he now wears, Nketiah replied: "Probably just to believe in yourself.

"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."

The 24-year-old has netted 2 goals in the Premier League so far. He was poised to join Ghana ahead of the World Cup 2022, but has now found his home with the Three Lions.