Thierry Henry Names Three Favourites to Win the Champions League After Arsenal’s Dominant Victory

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has revealed his three favourites to win this season’s UEFA Champions League, following the Gunners’ commanding 4–0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night.

Henry, who starred for Arsenal during their golden era, included his former club alongside Bayern Munich and reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain as the leading contenders for Europe’s top prize.

Arsenal Maintain Perfect European Record

Mikel Arteta’s side extended their perfect start to the Champions League campaign with another statement win at the Emirates Stadium.

After a goalless first half, the Gunners exploded into life after the break, scoring four goals in 13 minutes to completely dismantle Diego Simeone’s Atletico.

Brazilian defenders Gabriel Magalhães and Gabriel Martinelli fired Arsenal into a 2–0 lead before Viktor Gyökeres, the club’s £64 million summer signing, netted twice in quick succession to end a nine-match goal drought.

The result leaves Arsenal among only three clubs with a 100 per cent record after three matches, although Bayern Munich and Real Madrid could join them on nine points when they play on Wednesday evening.

Arteta’s men reached the semi-finals of last season’s competition before losing to eventual champions PSG, and many believe they are now strong enough to go one better.

Henry Tips Arsenal Among the Favourites

During CBS Sports’ post-match coverage, presenter Kate Scott revealed that Henry, now a respected pundit, viewed Arsenal as one of his three favourites to lift the trophy.

“Thierry spoke about Arsenal in very high terms and obviously put them alongside Bayern Munich and PSG as favourites for the competition,” Scott said, before turning to Jamie Carragher for his assessment.

Carragher, who won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, agreed that Arsenal deserve to be mentioned among the elite.

“Right now, I think Arsenal and Bayern are the two most impressive sides I’ve seen when you look at their domestic form and what they’re doing in Europe,” Carragher said.

“I’ve said before that I’ve never really seen Arsenal as a Champions League club — not because they haven’t been in it, but because they’ve never truly looked close to winning it. Even Thierry’s Arsenal team, the best I ever played against in the Premier League, didn’t come that close.”

Carragher went on to praise Arsenal’s defensive strength, suggesting it could be the key to their success this season.

“My Liverpool team that won it in 2005 weren’t great attacking-wise, but we were solid defensively. That always gives you a chance, especially in knockout ties. If you’re strong at the back, you can go far.

“So yes, I see Arsenal as one of the four or five teams capable of winning this competition.”

Gyökeres Delighted After Ending Goal Drought

Following the match, Arsenal striker Viktor Gyökeres expressed his delight at returning to the scoresheet and contributing to another emphatic victory.

“I’m very pleased,” he told UEFA. “They had a few good opportunities, but I think we controlled the game overall.

“To score four and keep a clean sheet again is excellent. We always keep pushing and when we do things right defensively, we’re extremely strong when our chances come.

“Both my goals were great — I always work hard and try to contribute in different ways, so I knew the goals would come sooner or later.

“We want to do well and win matches, but it’s a long journey. We’ll take it game by game, even if that sounds boring.”