Arsenal Premier League challenge faced a major setback in December as the Gunners lost to Aston Villa, West Ham, and Fulham.
Many pundits attributed it to their lack of goal poachers and urged Arteta to go in for Ivan Toney or Victor Osimhen in the winter transfer. Arsenal did not sign any of these players but seem to pick up where they left off and are on points with second place Manchester City and two points behind leaders Liverpool after a nil thrashing of West Ham away from home.
However, Arsenal Icon Thierry Henry does not believe Arteta’s side needs a striker to be unable to challenge for the Premier League or the Champions League this season. Henry believes Arsenal has enough goal-scoring players to fill that void. Using their win over West Ham as a reference.
What did Thierry Henry Say?
The French Icon said on CBS: “There was a massive discussion about does Arsenal need a No.9. What they needed to do was put the ball in the back of the net and when Arsenal put the ball in the back of the net it’s 6-0.
“In every game, it could have been the same. In the [FA] cup against Liverpool they didn’t do it. They did it – with a little help from Liverpool – in the league.
“When Arsenal are on point and put the ball in the back of the net, it doesn’t matter who plays. [Leandro] Trossard can score, Declan Rice has been scoring, Gabriel has been scoring, so it doesn’t really matter.
“Yes, the front three weren’t scoring a lot but it was about putting the ball in the back of the net, and when we do we’re tough to beat.”
On Arsenal chances of winning the Champions League Henry added that it will depend on who they face in the next round as the gunners play their first Champions League knock game in seven against Porto next week.
“It will be a tough game against Porto away. I do think we pass that test. We can beat them at home.
“If we turn our opportunities into goals, we’re going to be a very difficult team to beat. For me, it wasn’t down to not having a nine scoring.
“Having said that, the draw is going to be tough. Porto will be tough, and then if you go through, you can play Man City or Real Madrid.
“How are you going to deal with that if you’re still competing in that league to win it. Those are the questions the team are going to have to answer.”
Arsenal is being tipped alongside Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich to win the Champions League this season.
