Liverpool’s right-back star, Trent Alexander-Arnold, has revealed his surprising favorite Premier League player of all time, and it’s not a Liverpool player. In an interview for the Premier League YouTube channel, Alexander-Arnold expressed his admiration for Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, stating, “Henry. My favorite, favorite Premier League player.”
This choice may raise eyebrows among Liverpool fans, considering Alexander-Arnold’s deep connection to the club, having risen through their academy ranks. However, he couldn’t overlook the sheer brilliance of Thierry Henry during his prime at Arsenal.
Thierry Henry was a force to be reckoned with in the Premier League, terrorizing defenses with his blistering pace and lethal finishing. After joining Arsenal from Juventus in 1999, he went on to score an impressive 228 goals in 377 appearances for the North London club. His incredible skills and goal-scoring prowess helped Arsenal secure two Premier League titles and two FA Cups, among other honors.
Henry’s list of accolades is extensive, including four Golden Boot awards and two Footballer of the Year titles during his eight-season stint with Arsenal. His sustained brilliance left a lasting impression on Alexander-Arnold, who was captivated by the French striker’s mesmerizing abilities. For Alexander-Arnold, Henry set the standard for Premier League forwards in the 2000s.
Trent Alexander-Arnold himself has become renowned as one of Europe’s top assist providers from the right-back position, with an impressive record of 73 assists in 280 matches for Liverpool. However, he expressed a genuine desire to play alongside Henry, recognizing that Henry’s movement and finishing would perfectly complement his own crossing and vision from the right-back position.
The fact that Alexander-Arnold chose an Arsenal legend as his Premier League idol is a testament to the extraordinary impact Thierry Henry had on English football during his peak years. Few could argue that Henry wasn’t one of the most devastating attackers the English top-flight has ever witnessed.