There’s a whole generation of footballers – especially from France – who grew up inspired by the magic of Thierry Henry. William Saliba, the only Frenchman in our first-team squad, was no exception.
Born in the north-eastern Paris suburb of Bondy in 2001, William grew up idolising the legendary Gunners forward, who would lead Arsenal out as captain five years later in 2006, in the Champions League final in the French capital, just ten kilometres or so from our No. 12’s hometown.
By then William was already football mad. He says he was inspired to take up the sport purely for his love of the game.