Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has declared his former club the most solid team in Europe following their emphatic 3-1 Champions League victory over Bayern Munich at the Emirates Stadium.
A Statement Victory in North London
In a heavyweight contest on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Mikel Arteta's side delivered a performance that resonated across the continent. The Gunners moved three points clear at the top of their Champions League group with a convincing win that showcased their tactical maturity and resilience.
The match began with Arsenal taking an early lead through a headed goal from Jurrien Timber. However, Bayern Munich responded before half-time, with the highly-touted 17-year-old German talent Lennart Karl finishing off an exquisite team move to level the scores.
Arteta's Masterstroke from the Bench
The second half saw Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta ring the changes, a decision that proved to be a tactical masterstroke. Substitute Riccardo Calafiori found fellow replacement Noni Madueke, who restored the hosts' lead with just 20 minutes remaining.
As Bayern pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Arsenal demonstrated their lethal counter-attacking prowess. Another of Arteta's substitutes, Gabriel Martinelli, sealed the victory by rounding the onrushing Manuel Neuer and calmly slotting the ball home, sparking rapturous celebrations in north London.
The only negative on an otherwise perfect night for the Gunners was a possible injury to Leandro Trossard, casting a slight shadow ahead of their crucial Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend.
Henry's Verdict: 'Something is Different'
Speaking on CBS Sports after the match, an impressed Thierry Henry engaged in a conversation with man-of-the-match Declan Rice. The iconic French striker did not hold back in his praise for the current Arsenal side.
"Obviously you, Declan, are not going to be cocky about it," Henry began. "But, for me, I will be honest with you… there’s something different this year, there’s something different. It’s not the same as before. Before, I used to say that Arsenal can win because I’m a fan. Now I say it without my Arsenal hat on."
Henry emphasised the team's structural improvement, noting: "The way Arsenal look as a team, as a unit, is different. There’s something that’s happening." He urged the team to embrace their quality while acknowledging the long journey still ahead.
Analysing their tactical approach, the former striker highlighted why he believes Arsenal are currently Europe's most solid outfit. "They play, Arsenal, but they don’t overplay when they’re in their own half," he observed. "They tend to go long when they know that mistakes can happen and it worked out. They scored on the counter-attack and they actually scored on Bayern trying to overplay."
Henry concluded: "I would like to say they’re the most solid team in Europe at the moment." This claim is backed by the statistic that Arsenal are yet to concede a goal at home in the group or league phase of the Champions League since returning to the competition under Arteta in the 2023-24 season.
Wider Recognition and Looking Ahead
Former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher agreed with Henry's assessment, chiming in: "Yeah, Arsenal are the best team in Europe right now." He added a note of caution, however, questioning whether they can maintain this form until May.
The victory marked Arsenal's first win over Bayern Munich since October 2015, signalling a significant shift from the Arsene Wenger era teams that were often criticised for a lack of defensive solidity in big matches.
Under Arteta, the Gunners have transformed into a physically imposing side, feared for their doggedness and set-piece dominance. This has been achieved even with key defender Gabriel Magalhaes sidelined through injury.
With this statement win, Arsenal have firmly established themselves as genuine contenders in this season's Champions League, earning plaudits from one of their greatest ever players and proving they can mix it with Europe's elite.
