The Premier League has seen its fair share of legendary footballers, but when it comes to naming the greatest of all time, debates are inevitable. Former Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has weighed in on the discussion, naming Arsenal icon Thierry Henry as the best player in Premier League history.

Over the years, fans and pundits have put forward different names for this prestigious title. Newcastle United’s Alan Shearer, the league’s all-time top scorer with 260 goals, is a popular choice. For others, Cristiano Ronaldo’s brilliance during his Manchester United days makes him the greatest, despite spending just six years in England. Chelsea faithful might argue that club legends like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, and John Terry deserve to be in the conversation for their dominance between 2004 and 2015. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah’s remarkable 178 goals and 82 assists have also solidified his place in the debate.

However, Mikel Obi believes that while Salah’s numbers are impressive, he lacks the complete package required to be called the greatest. Speaking on the Obi One Podcast, the former Chelsea midfielder said, “Numbers-wise, you can put Salah in the conversation, but when you want to talk about a complete player, you can’t put him in the conversation.”

Despite his admiration for Salah and acknowledging the Egyptian’s incredible transformation since their days together at Chelsea, Mikel remains firm in his stance. “The best player to have played in the Premier League is Thierry Henry. There was a period when he dominated the league for two to three years. He had everything—he was so good on the ball, he had everything.”

Does Henry Truly Reign Supreme?

Mikel’s assessment is not without merit. Thierry Henry was a game-changer, an unstoppable force at Arsenal. His blistering pace, elegant dribbling, clinical finishing, and ability to create magic out of nothing made him a nightmare for defenders. From solo goals that left the opposition bewildered to his ability to influence big games, Henry was the ultimate attacking weapon.

His impact on Arsenal’s legendary ‘Invincibles’ season in 2003–04 remains one of the greatest individual contributions in English football history. Winning two league titles and four Golden Boots, Henry set standards that few have matched.

But is he the undisputed best? Football greatness is often subjective. Shearer’s goal-scoring exploits, Ronaldo’s electrifying influence, Lampard’s midfield dominance, and even Salah’s sustained excellence all have strong cases.

Yet, if the measure of greatness is not just goals but artistry, dominance, and longevity, then perhaps Mikel has a point. Henry didn’t just score—he entertained, inspired, and redefined what a Premier League forward could be.

As debates continue, one thing is certain: Thierry Henry’s name will always be in the conversation. And maybe, just maybe, he is the greatest of them all.