Thierry Henry has praised the previous Arsenal target, Dusan Vlahovic, after he scored on his Champions League debut for Juventus.
The former Arsenal striker told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (22/02/22 at 10:15 pm) that Vlahovic did ‘ever so well’ to score the fastest goal for a player on their Champions League debut – after 32 seconds – against Villarreal on Tuesday night.
Watching on from afar, Arsenal fans must have been thinking ‘what could have been?’ after they were keen on bringing him to the club during the January transfer window.
Instead, as reported by Sky Sports, the 22-year-old completed a £67 million move from Fiorentina to Juventus.
Nonetheless, it was a moment to remember for Vlahovic in the Champions League and Henry praised the player.
“Tough game away from home,” said Henry. “It’s never easy to play against Villarreal.
“I thought Vlahovic did ever so well with the goal, the way he finished it. But, after that, it was very difficult because they didn’t have the ball.
“So, he struggled a bit. But, at times, watching the game, he was holding the ball well and allowing his team to come out. He won a lot of free-kicks and away from home, you need a little breather, especially when you aren’t on the ball.
“First game. Champions League goal. You can’t judge him yet. How many games does he have for Juve so far, five? But he has goals in his locker, especially the way he finishes. He used the body of Raul Albiol very well to score.”
Whilst the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland hit the headlines as perhaps the best youngster in the world right now.
Vlahovic has previously been going under the radar, but he is now being recognised alongside the PSG and Dortmund duo.
Over the course of the season, the Serbia international has scored 22 in 29 matches in all competitions.
He’s already got off the mark in the Champions League and it won’t be too long before he is breaking more records on Europe’s biggest stage.
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