Thierry Henry Gives Constructive Criticism to Arsenal Man

Arsenal may have secured a 2–0 victory over Athletic Bilbao in their Champions League opener, but club legend Thierry Henry wasn’t entirely satisfied with the performance — particularly from striker Viktor Gyökeres. Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry delivered a scathing analysis of a key moment in the match, highlighting a missed opportunity that he believes should have resulted in a goal.

⚽ The Moment That Caught Henry’s Eye

Early in the match, Gyökeres found himself in a promising position on the break, having beaten the offside trap and charging toward goal. But instead of capitalizing, the Swedish striker miscontrolled the ball — twice — allowing Bilbao’s defenders to recover and snuff out the chance.

Henry, visibly frustrated, broke down the moment on the tactical screen:

“The ball has to go here, across the defender. There’s no way that those guys should catch you if you take care of the ball properly,” he said. “He’s going to have two chances to do it. He won’t do it. He doesn’t even look at what’s happening. He’s praying. They are praying.”

Need analysis and insights like this in the Premier League, not the agenda-driven stuff that we currently get.

Thierry Henry explains it so well that even a casual fan would understand the point he is making.

THOSE pundits need to take notes. pic.twitter.com/0mSIdMg22U

— Sripad (@falsewinger) September 17, 2025

🧠 Harsh or Honest?

Henry’s critique was undeniably sharp, but it came from a place of elite experience. As one of the greatest forwards in football history, Henry set the standard for pace, precision, and composure in front of goal. His frustration stemmed from the belief that Gyökeres had the tools to finish the move — but lacked the execution.

Fellow pundit Micah Richards asked whether the error was down to confidence or technique. Henry replied:

“Look, we all know that he’s been scoring, but away from home, that has to be a goal. He should have had a 1v1. I’m just saying this is the difference between going 1–0 up and still staying 0–0.”

🔄 Gyökeres’ Arsenal Journey So Far

Despite the criticism, Gyökeres has made a solid start to life at Arsenal, scoring three goals in four Premier League appearances. Signed from Sporting CP for £64 million, the striker arrived with a reputation for raw power and prolific finishing — traits that helped him net 39 goals in 33 league games last season.

However, Henry’s analysis suggests that Gyökeres must now refine his game to meet the demands of elite-level football in England and Europe. In Portugal, his pace alone was often enough. In the Premier League and Champions League, decision-making and technical sharpness are just as crucial.

🔮 Room to Grow

Henry’s comments, while blunt, also reflect high expectations. He later urged fans to be patient, acknowledging that Gyökeres has the instincts of a “proper No. 9” and the potential to become a top-tier striker.

With Arsenal’s depth on display — Martinelli and Trossard both scoring off the bench — Gyökeres will need to sharpen his edge to remain central to Mikel Arteta’s plans. If he can learn from moments like this, he may yet live up to the lofty standards set by the legends who came before him.