“I Think It’s Unfair” – Arsenal Legend Not Comfortable With Analysis Of Gunners Profligacy

By The Editor
on 24th January 2025

Thierry Henry disagrees with criticism of Arsenal’s forwards…

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes that constant scrutiny about the club’s forwards is rather unfair and stated that Mikel Arteta’s men proved they can challenge for the Premier League without a recognised striker.

Arsenal have scored 43 goals in the Premier League this season, seven behind league leaders Liverpool as the spotlight is shone brighter on Arteta’s forward line.

Despite scoring 91 goals in the league last term, a club record in this division, there has been constant conversation about the need to add to the forward line.

Bukayo Saka was the only player in our attack capable of producing a game-changing moment on his own, and he’s sidelined with a serious hamstring injury.

It’s resulted in external and internal pressure for the club to enter the transfer market to bring in a forward, a sentiment that was only exacerbated by Gabriel Jesus’s ACL injury.

“I think it’s unfair to say that (they’re not scoring enough),” Henry said at the FWA gala dinner celebrating Dennis Bergkamp (via HaytersTV).

“I like to always remind people that a year ago it was the same debate. Last year people were saying if Arsenal had a number nine they would have been top of the league. For me, it’s always about creating chances.

“You’re in trouble if you’re not creating chances and last year we were creating chances and not putting the ball in the back of the net. This year we are creating less but are very efficient on set pieces.”

Arteta and his coaching staff aren’t stupid. They can see what we see and also have the data to back it up.

Having said that, our last three major signings in the forward area have all been players of a similar profile – forwards who aren’t necessarily traditional No.9s. Leandro Trossard, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus.

This team needs to gamble on recruiting a traditional striker with several Premier League clubs now opting to have a recognised striker leading their line.

For a team that spends most of the game in the opposition’s final third, we need to make our territory reflect the only stat that really matters.