THIERRY HENRY was not happy with Viktor Gyokeres after the Arsenal striker wasted an opportunity to put his side ahead against Athletic Club last night.
The Swede, who has taken Henry’s No14 shirt, had a clear run at goal midway through the first half of Tuesday’s game but was pushed wide before only managing to shoot straight at goalkeeper Unai Simon.
Gyokeres charges down the wing last night
Henry pinted out that the striker had a route to goal but was pushed wide
Henry wanted the striker to be more direct
Mikel Arteta subbed off Gyokeres after another quiet game and a head injury
, Henry was critical of Gyokeres.
He said on American broadcaster CBS after the match: “I talked about Gyokeres and how, if you remember, when I paused, Martinelli is ahead of the defenders [and scored].
“This is what I’m talking about and he has to bring to his game. There’s no way, right now, that the defender should catch you.”
and was taken off shortly after the hour mark with just 19 touches and six completed passes.
He was replaced by Leandro Trossard,
and played some of the match with a large bandage across his forehead.
He did manage four shots despite limited involvement but wanted to see a more clinical edge.
He continued: “Obviously he’s going to be onside. What I’m trying to say is that 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’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. But that first touch is not going to be good.”
When asked by if it’s a confidence issue, Henry replied: “Yes, yes. Look, we all know that he’s been scoring, but away from home, that has to be a goal.
“Martinelli made it a goal and he didn’t have the space that he [Gyokeres] had.
“He didn’t take the ball well. There is no way, from what we saw on the halfway line, that you’re going to put your hand on me to make sure that I’m not going to unleash and have a one-on-one.
“He should have had a one-on-one. [If] you miss, you miss. But he should have had a one-on-one.”
Henry was then asked if it is the sort of situation that will need to score if they are to win the Champions League.
He answered: “Hopefully it will happen but I’m just saying this is the difference between going 1-0 up and still staying 0-0.”
Henry also put the pressure on his former side to claim silverware this season.
He added: “Now let’s all be honest, it’s a must this year to win something. It’s a must. You can’t hide.
“You have to win something. If you talk about what has been done recently, finishing second never gave you a trophy, it’s great, but at some point you’ve got to validate what you are doing.”
Arsenal ratings vs Athletic Club
ARSENAL’S second-half substitutes inspired a winning start to their Champions League campaign after a lack of creativity in the first 45 minutes.
Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to both pick up a goal and an assist and bank Arsenal’s first thee points in the league phase.
Mikel Arteta had to turn to his substitutes after his side lacked creativity without the likes of Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard available.
Champions League debutants Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke were unable to make it a night to remember on a personal level.
But how did Arteta’s group get on?
