Kick in the teeth for Arteta as Henry issues brutal Arsenal assessment
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry does not feel the club’s recent upturn in results means they are anywhere nearer to European qualification next season.
The Gunners spent heavily in the summer transfer window, forking out close to £150m on six new players. But they made a dreadful start to the campaign, losing their first three Premier League games. With manager Mikel Arteta’s job seemingly on the line, the players rallied to secure three straight top-flight victories.
They have drawn their last two but needed an injury-time Alexandre Lacazette strike to snatch a point from Crystal Palace on Monday. It means the north Londoners are now 11th in the table and in touch with the top six.
Having finished 12th in 2020-2021, the Emirates outfit are not involved in any European competitions this season. It is all a far cry from the Arsene Wenger years when Arsenal were near certainties to finish in the top four.
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Arteta is clearly building for the future with his summer recruitment and there may be more arrivals in January. But, asked whether he feels they will qualify for the Europa League in May, Henry pulled no punches.
“No,” he told CBS Sports (via The Express). “Not with what I saw recently.”
Henry concerned over Arsenal direction
Henry’s brutal judgement of the Arsenal’s predicament is not the first time he has questioned the club’s progress. Last season was a disaster and it was hoped they might hit back immediately in 2021-2022.
However, despite signs of life, the jury is still very much out on Arteta and his charges. And, following a goalless draw with Brighton on October 2, Henry was less than enthusiastic about the club’s progression.
“I don’t know if things are going in the right direction,” he said (via The Sun). “I watched the Brighton game. Did you watch it?
“I’ve seen us beating Norwich before, winning at Burnley, beating Tottenham at home – because we always beat Tottenham at home.
“I was more than happy when we beat Tottenham as we were on a good run but I was waiting to see a performance, away from home, against a team that passes the ball. And, instead, we suffered.”
Without Europe to think about, the players can focus on the Premier League and trying to climb the table. They are next in action on Friday evening when Dean Smith brings his Aston Villa side to the Emirates Stadium.
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