Arsenal icon Thierry Henry has delivered a frank but constructive assessment of Viktor Gyökeres, urging the Swedish striker to refine his movement in the penalty area if he is to reach his full potential in the Premier League.
Speaking during a recent football discussion, Henry pointed to Dominic Calvert-Lewin as a striker Gyökeres should study closely, highlighting the importance of anticipation, timing, and risk-taking inside the box.
Henry, who built his legendary Arsenal career on intelligent movement and ruthless finishing, believes Gyökeres has all the physical and technical attributes needed to succeed at the highest level. However, the former France international feels there is a crucial missing element in the striker’s game — the instinct to attack space before the ball arrives.
According to Henry, too many of Gyökeres’ attacking actions are reactive rather than proactive. He explained that elite forwards do not wait to see where the pass or cross will land; instead, they commit early, trusting their teammates and their own reading of the game. It is this split-second decision-making, Henry argues, that consistently separates top scorers from merely effective forwards.
To illustrate his point, Henry referenced Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s recent goals, praising the English striker’s willingness to make aggressive near-post runs and gamble on delivery into the danger area. Calvert-Lewin’s approach, Henry noted, often leaves defenders flat-footed because the striker has already moved while others are still reacting.
“Sometimes you have to miss chances to score goals,” Henry reportedly explained. “The best strikers take risks. They attack space knowing the ball might not come, but when it does, they’re already there.”
Henry stressed that this mindset defined the careers of modern greats such as Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Robert Lewandowski, all of whom thrive on anticipation rather than hesitation. These players are willing to commit themselves fully, even at the risk of looking foolish, because that bravery is ultimately rewarded with goals.
While Gyökeres has delivered goals across competitions and impressed with his strength, pressing, and link-up play, Henry believes his Premier League output has not yet matched expectations. The Arsenal legend suggested that Gyökeres sometimes allows defenders an extra moment to recover by waiting for visual confirmation of the pass instead of trusting his instincts.
Importantly, Henry was careful to frame his comments as guidance rather than criticism. He emphasized that adapting to the Premier League is rarely immediate, especially for strikers arriving from different tactical environments. In Henry’s view, Gyökeres’ willingness to learn and evolve will be key to determining how successful his Arsenal career ultimately becomes.
The former Gunners captain also hinted that Arsenal’s attacking system places heavy responsibility on the central striker to interpret space quickly, particularly with creative players operating around him. For Henry, sharper movement from Gyökeres would not only increase his goal tally but also create more room for teammates by constantly pulling defenders out of position.
As Arsenal push deeper into a demanding season, Henry’s words have added fresh fuel to the conversation around Gyökeres’ development. The spotlight will now be on whether the striker can translate this advice into action — attacking space with greater conviction, embracing risk in front of goal, and transforming flashes of promise into consistent, match-winning performances.
For an Arsenal side chasing success on multiple fronts, that evolution could prove decisive.
