Thierry Henry makes huge Arsenal claim after statement Champions League win over Bayern

Arsenal are ‘the most solid team’ in the Champions League, says Thierry Henry (Picture: Getty)

Thierry Henry labelled Arsenal ‘the most solid team in Europe’ following their statement 3-1 win over Bayern Munich , claiming ‘something is different’ about Mikel Arteta ’s side this season.

Lennart Karl finished off an exquisite team move to cancel out Jurrien Timber’s headed opener in an absorbing opening 45 minutes of Wednesday’s heavyweight Champions League contest.

But Arteta rang the changes as Arsenal dug deep at the Emirates and it proved a masterstroke, with Riccardo Calafiori finding fellow substitute Noni Madueke to restore the hosts’ lead with 20 minutes remaining.

While Bayern pushed bodies forward in pursuit of an equaliser, it was Arsenal that benefitted on the counter-attack to wrap up a convincing victory and move three points clear at the top of the table.

Gabriel Martinelli, another of Arteta’s substitutes, was the man to put the game to bed, rounding an onrushing Manuel Neuer and stroking the ball home to cue rapturous scenes in north London.

A possible injury to Leandro Trossard was the only negative on an otherwise perfect night for the hosts ahead of their Premier League clash with Chelsea this weekend.

‘Obviously you, Declan, are not going to be cocky about it,’ ex-Arsenal striker Henry said to man-of-the-match Rice , who joined the CBS Sports pundits for a chat shortly after the final whistle.

The Gunners ensured they maintained their 100 per cent record in some style (Picture: Getty)

Arteta’s men sit three points clear after five group matches (Picture: Getty)

‘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.

‘The way Arsenal look as a team, as a unit, is different. There’s something that’s happening.

💥Impact off the bench🤫Kane kept quiet🔴Mixed night for Arsenal's full-backs @ben__fleming breaks down the key talking points from Arsenal's statement win over Bayern at the Emirates: pic.twitter.com/11WSc55mKn — Metro Sport (@Metro_Sport) November 26, 2025

Bukayo Saka was fouled all night (Picture: Getty)

Lennart Karl finished off a superb Bayern move (Picture: Getty)

‘We are not there, we know that. But also, the thing about embracing the fact you’re good is vital.

‘It is different this year but it’s still a long way so all the best!’

Arsenal’s previous win over Bayern came way back in October 2015, when Olivier Giroud and Mesut Ozil were on target in a 2-0 victory at the Emirates.

Arsene Wenger’s sides during this time were often accused of lacking the necessary fight and defensive nous to be able to compete for major trophies on a consistent basis.

Rice was outstanding in midfield and was later named man of the match (Picture: Getty)

But the Gunners have transformed into a far more physical side under Arteta, feared across Europe for their doggedness and dominance from set-pieces at both ends of the pitch – even with Gabriel Magalhaes out injured.

According to Henry, his beloved former club have now proven beyond doubt that they are the ‘most solid’ team in the Champions League at this early stage of the competition.

‘They play, Arsenal, but they don’t overplay when they’re in their own half,’ the iconic Frenchman added.

‘They tend to go long when they know that mistakes can happen and it worked out.

Timber broke the deadlock midway through a compelling first half (Picture: Getty)

‘They scored on the counter-attack and they actually scored on Bayern trying to overplay.

‘I thought it was a good game from Arsenal: solid, especially after the weekend and with what’s coming also this weekend.

‘I would like to say they’re the most solid team in Europe at the moment.’

Ex-Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher agreed with Henry’s assessment, chiming in: ‘Yeah, Arsenal are the best team in Europe right now.

‘The only thing that we said before the game, and we’re saying it with Bayern but we’re saying it more with Arsenal because they’ve just beaten them well, it’s whether they can still be the best team in Europe by May.

‘There’s a long way to go but no one can get near them right now.’