Thierry Henry Raises Concerns Over Arsenal’s Struggles and Injury Woes
Thierry Henry has voiced his concerns over Arsenal’s recent dip in form, questioning why Mikel Arteta’s side continues to suffer key injuries at crucial points in the season. His comments came just before the Gunners responded emphatically with a 7-1 thrashing of PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League.
Arsenal has been plagued by injuries throughout the campaign, particularly in attack. This has forced Arteta to rely on young talents, including 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri, who became the club’s youngest-ever starter in a Champions League match and even found the net against PSV. His inclusion may not have been necessary had Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, or Kai Havertz been fit to play.
The dominant victory came at a crucial time, easing some of the pressure on Arteta after a disappointing 1-0 defeat to West Ham and a goalless draw against Nottingham Forest. Those results left Arsenal trailing league leaders Liverpool by 13 points, making European success their most realistic path to silverware this season.
Thierry Henry Questions Arsenal’s Creativity
Henry has been critical of Arsenal’s decline, particularly their struggle to create scoring opportunities—something that was once their trademark. While the Gunners have been Manchester City’s closest challengers in recent years, they seem to have lost their attacking edge.
The team’s problems started when Martin Ødegaard suffered an ankle injury in September, ruling him out until November. Saka then sustained a hamstring issue in December, followed by long-term injuries to Martinelli, Havertz, and Gabriel Jesus. Despite these setbacks, Henry believes Arsenal’s attacking struggles go beyond injuries.
Speaking to CBS Sports Golazo, he said:
“We know Havertz isn’t playing now, we know that Ødegaard was injured at the start of the season, but this is the same team. Why aren’t they creating chances anymore? Yes, they’ve scored from set pieces, but suddenly that’s stopped too.”
Henry downplayed the impact of Saka’s absence, insisting that Arsenal’s lack of creativity was already evident before his injury. He suggested that Arteta’s tactical changes, particularly an increased reliance on set pieces, may have contributed to their struggles:
“Set pieces have saved us in a lot of games, but what worries me as a fan is that we don’t create the way we used to. When we almost won the league, we caught teams off guard. Now, teams understand our style, and along the way, we’ve lost our identity in attack.”
Henry on Bukayo Saka’s Workload: “Why Doesn’t Salah Get Injured?”
Before his injury, Saka was in exceptional form, registering five goals and ten assists in 16 Premier League matches. However, his heavy workload has raised concerns, with some fearing that Arsenal has been over-reliant on the young winger.
Henry compared Saka’s situation to Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, a player who has consistently played at the highest level without major injury setbacks. Responding to a comparison made by Micah Richards, Henry asked:
“Why has Salah never pulled his hamstring? Does he not play just as many games? To win the league, a coach must manage risks and ensure players stay fit.”
The former Arsenal forward emphasized that winning a league title isn’t just about tactics or talent—it’s also about keeping the squad healthy:
“Success isn’t just about pressing, possession, or defending. You need a fully fit squad to compete.”
Saka had been remarkably durable before his recent injury, missing just five Premier League matches over the past three years. However, concerns over his workload have grown, especially after he played extensively for England at Euro 2024 despite enduring a grueling league campaign.
While Arsenal’s emphatic victory over PSV was a much-needed confidence boost, Henry’s concerns about their consistency, tactical approach, and injury management remain key talking points as they push for success in both domestic and European competitions.
Leave a Reply