Thierry Henry delivered an essential analysis highlighting Viktor Gyokeres’ weaknesses during Arsenal’s 2-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday night. Despite Arsenal struggling for much of the game at San Mames Stadium, substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to turn the match around and secure a Champions League opening win for Mikel Arteta’s side.
One player who struggled was Eberechi Eze, whose wide positioning attracted criticism. However, Gyokeres also faced scrutiny for a quiet performance, prompting Henry—Arsenal’s greatest-ever player—to focus much of his post-match review on the new signing.
The Swedish forward has shown promise with three goals in four league matches, hinting at his potential to reclaim his reputation as a formidable striker, similar to his time at Sporting. Yet, Henry identified a key flaw—a weakness that, if addressed, could elevate Gyokeres from a good forward to an elite one.
In his detailed breakdown on CBS Sports, Henry praised Gyokeres’ speed, strength, and clinical finishing, comparing him to Erling Haaland and referencing his impressive tally of 39 goals in 33 league games last season before his £64 million move to North London. However, Henry emphasized that Gyokeres’ style of runs, effective in Portugal due to raw pace, now demands more intelligence and subtlety in the Premier League and Champions League to overcome tougher defenders.
During the analysis, Henry pointed out a moment where Gyokeres failed to control the ball properly near the penalty area, missing a key opportunity. When asked by fellow pundit Micah Richards whether this was a confidence or technical issue, Henry responded that it was both, stressing that Gyokeres should have converted the chance to put Arsenal ahead.
This insight offered a window into Henry’s sharp footballing mind, showing how his attention to detail helped him become a prolific scorer with 175 goals in 258 Premier League appearances for Arsenal.
The analysis also highlighted the high standards Gyokeres must meet to excel at the top level. His next test will come on Sunday when Arsenal face Manchester City at the Emirates Stadium, marking the striker’s first chance to face Haaland since returning to English football—a matchup sure to draw intriguing comparisons.
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