Source: SNAPPA
10 key moments from Thierry Henry's Sky Sports debut
Thierry Henry certainly brought good luck to Arsenal today – on his debut as a regular Sky Sports pundit the Gunners snatched a 2-0 win at Premier League champions Manchester City.
His former team impressed on the pitch, but how did the Frenchman slot into his role in the studio?
Here are a few key moments which show what Henry has to offer as a pundit.
1. On Arsenal
Henry wasn’t afraid to tell it how it is when it came to his old club – even if they weren’t the most original points ever.
Henry: "Arsenal now are a team that looks to finish fourth, which is not what you look for. You want to try and battle for the title."
— AFCPressWatchâ„¢ (@AFCPressWatch) January 18, 2015
Henry: "They (Arsenal) are missing a Vieira and a Gilberto Silva. Those guys would have done anything to allow us to perform well" #afc
— Gooner Updates (@GoonerUpdates) January 18, 2015
That bodes well for most of us – if not necessarily for Arsenal fans.
Arsenal fans, be prepared for Henry to criticise you in the future. It hurts so much when Scholes does it to us.
— _ (@VanGaald) January 18, 2015
2. “We”
Old habits die hard – and we all know Henry is a Gunner at heart. He’ll have to stop referring to them as “we” pretty quickly if he’s going to be taken seriously as a pundit, but for now people seem prepared to forgive him.
Love how Henry keeps calling Arsenal "we" then correcting himself haha!
— TomMellor (@MellorFootball) January 18, 2015
Ahh Henry just saying when we Always a gunner ðŸ˜ðŸ˜ðŸ˜
— annienelson (@apnelson1) January 18, 2015
3. On Tom Huddlestone
Before attention could be turned fully to the Etihad, Henry and fellow studio pundit Graeme Souness had to get through some discussions on West Ham v Hull.
Both had good things to say about Hull midfielder Huddlestone. Tigers fans weren’t convinced.
Can't you tell Souness and Henry don't watch us much. Huddlestone has been bang average this season.
— Adam Evo (@Adam_Evo) January 18, 2015
Souness and henry clearly haven't seen much of huddlestone this year.
— John Brooks (@jpbrooksy) January 18, 2015
Tom Huddlestone battles with West Ham’s Andy Carroll (Matt Dunham/AP/PA)
4. On Sone Aluko
At half-time, Henry suggested Hull striker Aluko could have gone down and won a penalty when a West Ham defender made contact with him in the box. Not exactly the best way to endear yourself to English football fans – or Irish ones, of course.
Henry basically just said that Aluko should have dived
— Ollie (@ollielaws99) January 18, 2015
Lol Henry saying aluko should have dived, once a cheat always a cheat #NeverForget @kevmac14
— John Gillespie (@SPIDERFIST101) January 18, 2015
Perhaps Henry was right though – it was goalless at that point, and Hull went on to lose 3-0.
5. On David Silva
Before Arsenal’s match kicked off, Henry said he believes David Silva is Manchester City’s best player – better, therefore, than Sergio Aguero. Perhaps predictably, this one split opinion.
Henry says Silva is better then Aguero? Yeah go back to retirement mate.
— Moe (@_DareToJuve) January 18, 2015
finally someone who speaks sense on sky sports… thank you henry! silva is city's best player and the best player in the league by a mile.
— willybfried (@WiillyB) January 18, 2015
Well, it’s part of a pundit’s job to say controversial things. Just keep an eye out for him next week saying Aguero is City’s best – that sort of thing can harm your credibility.
For the record, Silva had a pretty poor game.
6. On Santi Cazorla
Henry also had nice things to say about Cazorla – particularly his two-footedness.
Henry on Cazorla: "I've never seen a player use both his feet so much. He's outstanding." pic.twitter.com/XjHFyPLgBA
— Chris Wheatley (@GoonerTalk) January 18, 2015
Happy that Henry also talks great stuff about Cazorla ! He has been outstanding !
— TheZoom (@TheThezoom) January 18, 2015
Cazorla went on to have a far better game than Silva – in fact, he was man of the match by a distance. Good call, Thierry.
Santi Cazorla was outstanding against Manchester City (Mike Egerton/EMPICS)
7. On Alexis Sanchez
Henry’s analysis of Arsenal star Sanchez was definitely one of the high points of his Super Sunday debut – in particular the difference between playing for Barcelona and the Gunners.
Thierry Henry : "At Barcelona, Messi is at the top of the tree, then it's Messi and then it's Messi."
— Sir Jenkinson (@theEpicGooner) January 18, 2015
8. Some football happened
How rude. A football match breaks out during the Thierry Henry show.
— Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) January 18, 2015
Unfortunately for those hoping to say how much Arsenal would love to have Henry in their team, they actually started the match pretty well – and went 1-0 up when Cazorla struck from the penalty spot following Vincent Kompany’s foul on Nacho Monreal.
Arsenal are showing off for Thierry Henry.
— Paul (@UtdRantcast) January 18, 2015
The team clearly fixed up cos they knew Henry would be doing the analysis.
— Ali (@aliLADiere) January 18, 2015
In the second half, Arsenal went 2-0 up when Olivier Giroud nodded in Cazorla’s free-kick.
Olivier Giroud’s celebration was as good as his goal (Martin Rickett/PA)
Henry right now https://t.co/2fxoVCBi5V
— Jai. (@bIindinho) January 18, 2015
Henry will be gloating in the studio, Santi living up to his comments 100%
— Anita Roza (@arsenaloFka) January 18, 2015
Speaking of which…
9. I told you so
Henry was quick to point out after the final whistle that he’d highlighted Cazorla before the game.
Thierry Henry: "I said before the game, people were talking about Alexis Sanchez, but Santi Cazorla is the one who makes them tick"
— Arsenal News (@__arsenal_news_) January 18, 2015
Henry was the only guy to bring up cazorla before the game #TheKing
— Seth Rollins (@ItsDazzaB) January 18, 2015
To be fair Thierry Henry was purring about Cazorla before the game.Great weekend for us blues.
— Trevor Nelson (@DJTrevorNelson) January 18, 2015
Well, yes, but he was also purring about Silva. Let’s not talk about that.
David Silva slipped up against Arsenal (Mike Egerton/EMPICS)
10. Post-match
As Henry settled in to analyse the match, the watching public analysed Henry’s analysis. We liked this take on it…
have Sky massively overpaid for Henry? What I like about Neville etc is hearing a view on the game/tactics that I wouldnt have got to myself
— Distance Defeated (@Bauers_prodigy) January 18, 2015
Perhaps this is a touch harsh on Henry, but he’s spot on about Souness.
Arsenal excellent. Man City disappointing & flat. Expected more from Thierry Henry's punditry but Graeme Souness superb as usual. #MCFCvAFC
— Des Kelly (@DesKellyBTS) January 18, 2015
Mostly, though, the response was positive.
gotta admit, Thierry Henry's been decent here. get him in on a Monday with Neville & Carragher.
— Levi! (@LW77_) January 18, 2015
Henry oozes so much class
— Chris (@chrismd10) January 18, 2015
Henry giving the view of someone who was a top top footballer, that has been needed on super sunday for time
— Young Boogz (@AlvinsSake) January 18, 2015
Ultimately, we agree with this guy.
Can't tell if Henry is a good pundit or im horrifically biased because he's so god damn suave
— Currie (@Davrinho) January 18, 2015