Thierry Henry on Arsenal’s Trophy Drought
Thierry Henry, the iconic former player of Arsenal, has expressed his belief that the team ought to have secured a trophy during Mikel Arteta’s tenure, while simultaneously acknowledging the positive strides the club has made recently.
“I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed with Arsenal, but it’s understandable that fans have concerns regarding the team’s performance.”
Challenges Faced by a New Manager
In an appearance on the Stick to Football podcast, Henry continued by emphasizing the complexities involved when a new manager takes over, noting:
“When a manager first arrives, it’s often not his squad. It generally requires a few transfer windows—three or four at least—to enact the kind of changes that are needed.”
Comparison to Manchester United
Moreover, Henry highlighted that, over the past three years, Arsenal has been in a position where they should have at least won one cup or made it to a final. He pointed out:
“Manchester United, often criticized, has managed to reach five finals in the last five years, while Arsenal, despite three years of development, has yet to make it that far.”
This comparison illustrates the mounting pressure on Arsenal regarding their quest for success.
Recent Achievements and Future Expectations
Despite finishing as runners-up in the Premier League for three consecutive seasons, with an impressive 89 points in the 2023-24 campaign, Arteta has faced scrutiny over the lack of trophies. The Gunners also made significant strides this season, making it to the semifinals of both the Carabao Cup and the Champions League, the latter being their most significant advancement in European competition since 2009, although both runs ultimately ended in elimination.
