Some might argue that Arsenal’s recent Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain was a defining moment, highlighting their strength on the European stage. However, club legend Thierry Henry remains unconvinced.
Although Arsenal controlled much of the match and deserved the win, Henry is reluctant to call it a true statement victory.
While he acknowledges the team’s solid performance, he believes they need to do more to prove their credentials.
Arsenal’s Champions League campaign started with a 0-0 draw against Atalanta in Italy, where goalkeeper David Raya made a crucial double save from a penalty to secure the clean sheet.
Following their win over PSG, Arsenal is in a strong position in Europe, having kept two clean sheets and claimed their first Champions League victory of the season. Everything seems to be going well for Mikel Arteta’s side, who are also seen as Premier League title contenders.
However, Arsenal’s tactics, especially in away games, have sparked debate this season. There has been criticism of how defensive the team appears when facing tougher opposition.
One example is their decision to play with ten men against Manchester City in a previous match. Critics argue that Arsenal sometimes adopts a cautious approach in challenging games, leading to questions about their strategy.
Mikel Arteta, however, can point to his team’s strong defensive record as evidence of their effectiveness. Arsenal conceded only 29 goals in the Premier League last season, the fewest in the league, and they are once again on track to have one of the best defenses this season. Arteta’s defensive structure has been crucial to their success both domestically and in Europe.
Despite this, Henry believes Arsenal needs a more convincing performance to make a real statement in the Champions League. He sees the upcoming away match against Inter Milan at the San Siro as a crucial test.
Henry said that if Arsenal can secure a commanding win there, similar to their result against PSG, he will feel more confident in their European prospects.
For Henry, that kind of victory would demonstrate that Arsenal is a true force in the Champions League.
After the Inter match, Arsenal faces another difficult away trip to Portugal to play Sporting Lisbon.
These two games are seen as key moments in their group stage campaign, and their performances could define their European journey this season.
Speaking on CBS Sports’ Champions League coverage on Paramount+, Henry explained that while the PSG win was positive, it’s not enough to be considered a major achievement.
Until Arsenal delivers a dominant performance against a team like Inter on the road, Henry remains cautious in assessing their European chances.
For him, the upcoming matches will be vital in determining whether Arsenal can compete with Europe’s elite.
While the PSG win is a step forward, Henry is waiting for more before considering them serious contenders in the competition.
