Always attentive to the performances of his heart club, Thierry Henry did not chew his words with regard to Mikel Arteta. Podcast guest Stick to Footballthe former French striker questioned the real impact of the Spanish technician at the head of Arsenal, despite the progress observed. “In three years, you must at least bring back a cup or reach a final”, he said. Words that reflect a form of annoyance in the face of the lack of concretization despite a reinforced workforce and a hailed play philosophy.
For Henry, Arteta's failure is also due to its decisions on the transfer market. The absence of a real number 9 has, according to him, weighed heavily.
“When everyone asked for a goalscorer, he took Sterling”he regrets, in reference to a profile deemed not a priority. The former Captain of the Blues also underlines the 14 draws conceded in the league: “With a real center center, many of these lost points could have been avoided. »» An uncompromising observation on management deemed perfectible.
Henry does not ignore the vagaries who disrupted the Gunners season, including the injuries of Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz. But he believes that these difficulties are not enough to justify the lack of titles. “We claim a new one when we don't score, then no one talks about it when we win. This lack of consistency in the analysis reflects a deeper problem ”, he tackles, questioning a form of collective blindness.
Arteta targeted by Henry: “You need a real new one in Arsenal”
What gives even more weight to these criticisms is that they come in a legitimate voice, that of a legend from the club. Henry, top scorer in the history of Arsenal, is not an outdoor observer. His words resonate all the stronger since they reflect the disappointment of a man who embodies the DNA of the club. And they could weaken Arteta when the coach thought he had consolidated his position.
However, this verbal tackle intervenes at the end of a season far from being missed. Arsenal finished vice-champion of England and reached the last square in the Champions League. Results that many teams would envy. But for Henry, the requirement must remain up to the ambitions of a club like Arsenal. And in his eyes, this requirement now involves titles, not just progress.
