Thierry Henry offered valuable advice to Viktor Gyokeres during a must-see segment on CBS following Arsenal’s Champions League opener.
The Gunners kicked off their 2025-26 Champions League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, thanks to goals from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Manager Mikel Arteta gave summer signing Viktor Gyokeres his eagerly awaited European debut, but the Swedish forward was unable to score before being substituted for Trossard. Gyokeres had a clear chance to break the deadlock, though.
After successfully beating the offside trap, Gyokeres advanced into the 18-yard box but his poor first touch narrowed his shooting angle, and he failed to challenge Bilbao’s goalkeeper Unai Simon — a moment Henry criticized. Pointing at Gyokeres as he approached the penalty area, Henry explained: “The ball needs to go here, across the defender. If you control the ball properly, they can’t catch you.”
Henry added, “He’ll get two chances to do it. He won’t. He doesn’t even look at what’s happening. He’s hoping. They’re hoping. But that first touch isn’t good.”
CBS analyst Micah Richards then asked whether it was a matter of confidence or technique.
Henry responded, “Both. We know he’s been scoring, but away from home, that should be a goal. He had a one-on-one opportunity. This is the difference between going up 1-0 and still being level.”
Fans on social media shared their reactions to Henry’s breakdown.
One user said: “These tiny margins decide games at the highest level. Top strikers like Kane, Mbappe, Isak, and Haaland take that perfect touch Henry mentioned and punish defenders. Gyokeres didn’t have to do that in Portugal. The level is different now.”
Another commented: “Nothing beats hearing great players dissect their craft like this,” while a third wrote: “Brilliant insight from Thierry Henry on the fine details that kept Gyokeres from scoring.”
A fourth fan added: “He’s a fantastic pundit. A few months ago, he analyzed someone’s touch and was amazed by it. He always picks up the subtle details that most miss.”
A fifth agreed: “Exactly. Gyokeres needed to bring the ball inside with his first touch and go straight for goal. If the defender fouls him, he’s through.”
Before Gyokeres’ Arsenal debut, Henry also called for patience as the Swedish forward adjusts to his new club.
“It’s always tough because when I talk about a striker, it sometimes creates unnecessary pressure, as my comments are often taken too far,” he told Betway.
“But what I saw in his goal against Athletic Club—the instinct and timing to anticipate the cross, the great header with a soft touch guiding the ball into the net—that’s the hallmark of a true No. 9.
“He’s not a Firmino-style striker who drops into midfield. He wants to stay in the box, between the posts, and he’s said himself—‘Put the ball in the box and serve me.’
“You’ve got a deadly finisher in the box—stats don’t lie—and a team that creates plenty of chances, so it should be a perfect fit. But sometimes it just takes time for things to click.”
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