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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has backed his former club to secure a positive result in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final against Atlético Madrid, emphasizing a pragmatic approach over flashy football.
Speaking on CBS Sports’ Golazo show ahead of Wednesday night’s encounter at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium, Henry acknowledged the challenge awaiting Mikel Arteta’s side but expressed confidence in Arsenal’s ability to progress over two legs.
Henry referenced Arsenal’s dominant 4-0 victory over Atlético in the league phase at the Emirates earlier this season, but warned that the return fixture in Madrid would be markedly different.
“Atletico lost at The Emirates, I think it was 4-0 in the league phase, which doesn’t tell you a lot but it tells you it’s a game where we created, actually,” Henry said. “But it will be different (on Wednesday at Riyadh Air Metropolitano).”
The former Arsenal striker stressed the importance of securing a result rather than chasing an expansive performance. “I would just like to see a win, that will do for me and bring something to The Emirates,” he added. “You have to be pragmatic sometimes. You cannot always be Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain, we play a different way. I think people have to accept the fact that Mikel Arteta goes about the game like that and hopefully we can win.”
Henry highlighted Arsenal’s strengths in defensive solidity and set-pieces while noting potential concerns around creativity and recent fatigue from juggling the Premier League title race with European commitments. Despite these issues, he believes the Gunners are well-equipped for this matchup against a battle-hardened Atlético side under Diego Simeone.
The 2025/26 Champions League semi-finals see Arsenal traveling to Madrid for the first leg on April 29, with the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium scheduled for May 5. Arsenal fans will be hoping Henry’s prediction holds true as the club chases a first-ever UCL title and a potential treble.
A tight, low-scoring affair is widely expected in Spain, with many viewing the tie as finely balanced. Henry’s backing of Arteta’s pragmatic style comes amid growing debate among supporters about Arsenal’s approach this season.
