Thierry Henry reveals his most impressive Premier League player and manager so far

December 19, 2025 Oliver Obel

Thierry Henry has been retired long enough for his playing career to sit firmly in history, yet his voice still carries weight whenever the Premier League is discussed. Now a regular television pundit, the former Arsenal and France forward continues to offer insight that cuts beyond club loyalties.

That was evident in his latest remarks, which surprised some listeners. With Arsenal enjoying another strong season under Mikel Arteta, Henry chose not to highlight familiar faces when asked about the individuals who have stood out most to him so far.

Emery steadies Villa at a key moment

Speaking in comments reported by Goal, Henry pointed to Aston Villa manager Unai Emery as the coach who has impressed him most, focusing on how quickly the team responded after appearing to drift earlier in the campaign.

"I have to give Unai Emery a lot of credit because, come on, no one saw that coming. The results Villa were getting, they looked lost. They looked like they were not going to be at it. We were looking at it like, is this going to be the end? But, wow, you have to give Emery his credit. He always finds a way."

For Henry, the turnaround was as much about mentality as tactics.

"In three months, we might be saying they went south again. But at this particular moment, the way put everyone back together, he stayed focused and worked really hard. I’m impressed with the way they stayed united, because I couldn’t see that coming."

Villa’s recent climb toward the top end of the table, including eye-catching home results, has changed how the club is viewed externally and placed Emery back in the spotlight during a demanding phase of the season.

Ekitike stands out at Anfield

Henry’s choice of player followed a similar theme. Rather than singling out an Arsenal regular, he highlighted Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike, framing his praise around adaptability and attitude rather than status.

"I’ll go with Hugo Ekitike, because at the beginning, he had to prove that he could be at Liverpool, and he did. Now the club is struggling and he’s still delivering. He surprised me."

Henry also noted how the French forward responded to time on the bench and internal competition.

"I knew he had that in his locker, but I didn’t know it was going to be that quick in terms of how he adapted. Of course, it’s easier to adapt when a team is rolling. But he adapted, then he went on the bench, didn’t say anything, came back and still scores his goals, so you have to put him up there."

Despite Liverpool’s uneven form, Ekitike has reached 10 goals across all competitions, including seven in the league, making him one of the club’s more dependable contributors during a difficult stretch.

Henry’s selections reflect a consistent thread in his analysis: sustained focus and response to adversity can matter more than reputation or club affiliation.

Sources: Goal