According to a report by Football London on Saturday, November 7, 2026, former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has named Arsenal legend Thierry Henry among the greatest left wingers in football history, describing the Frenchman as one of the finest players the sport has produced.

Arsenal have enjoyed the services of several outstanding footballers over the years, including Mesut Ozil, Dennis Bergkamp and Bukayo Saka. However, Henry remains one of the most celebrated figures in the club's history following his remarkable performances under former manager Arsene Wenger.

During a discussion about the greatest left-wingers of all time, Kroos initially overlooked Henry when compiling his list but later included the former Arsenal captain in second place alongside Brazilian legend Ronaldinho. Cristiano Ronaldo was ranked as the greatest footballer overall.

Explaining his selection, the German midfielder highlighted Henry's ability to operate from the left side while also making a significant impact in central attacking positions.

"He frequently started on the left side at Arsenal, and that was fantastic," Kroos said.

He further suggested that Henry would have been an ideal striker in his preferred attacking setup, praising the Frenchman's versatility and exceptional quality.

When asked about Henry's achievements in north London, Kroos said: "I would actually put him joint-second with Ronaldinho."

The former midfielder also joked that he owed Henry an apology for initially leaving him out of his selection.

Henry's position on the pitch has often generated debate because he regularly moved infield from the left flank. During his most successful years at Arsenal, however, he operated primarily as the central striker in Wenger's 4-4-2 formation.

With players such as Robert Pires and Freddie Ljungberg providing width, Henry led the attack, combining goalscoring ability with creativity and movement.

His role changed after joining Barcelona, where Pep Guardiola frequently deployed him on the left in a 4-3-3 system.

Nevertheless, Henry's extraordinary performances for Arsenal remain central to his legacy, and Kroos' latest comments provide further recognition of his status among football's all time greats.