'Let's be honest': Thierry Henry says people keep saying something about Arsenal that's so 'unfair'
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Arsenal need a new number nine, or at least that's what people keep saying.
Indeed, everyone is talking about how Arsenal need a striker.
Paul Merson wants Arsenal to sign Alexander Isak, Emmanuel Petit wants Victor Osimhen at Arsenal, while Ian Wright wanted Omar Marmoush at the Emirates.
However, speaking to HaytersTV, Thierry Henry has shared a different point of view.
Indeed, the Arsenal legend was asked about Arsenal's current problems in front of goal, and he disagreed entirely with the premise of the question.
Henry said that it's unfair to say that Arsenal are struggling for goals, claiming that this exact same debate was happening last year, but Arsenal still challenged for the title to the very end.
Thierry Henry disagrees with Arsenal attack claim
Henry spoke about the idea that Arsenal are struggling for goals.
The pundit says that it's unfair to say that Arsenal need to refresh their attack, maintaining that things aren't as bad as some are making out.
"Just quickly, Arsenal at the moment are struggling in front of goal, what would they be like at the moment with you two (Bergkamp and Henry) up front now?" Henry was asked.
"No, I think it is unfair to say that and to do that. I like to remind people that it was the same debate a year ago. Before the Luton game people were saying if Arsenal had a number nine they'd be top of the league. It's all about creating chances, last year we were creating chances but were not putting the ball in the net. This year we are creating less maybe, but we're very efficient on set-pieces," Henry said.
"When we were on the run for the title, we still didn't have a nine, but it didn't bother anyone. I think it's unfair when people talk about me or others. That was our time, this is their time."
"We're still in it. There's a team in charge to find someone that can maybe score these types of goals, but, It hasn't been that bad, let's be honest with it."
Arsenal's attack analysed
Henry says that Arsenal's attack isn't as bad as people are making out, and he's not wrong.
Yes, Arsenal went three games without scoring from open play in December, but they're still among the most potent attacking sides in the Premier League.
Arsenal are the fifth-highest scorers in the Premier League right now, and they're only two goals behind Manchester City and Chelsea, who are joint-second in this metric.
Arsenal 2023/24 | Arsenal 2024/25 | |
Games | 38 | 22 |
Goals | 91 | 43 |
Goals per game | 2.4 | 1.95 |
Goals per game by top scorer | Bukayo Saka – 0.45 | Kai Havertz – 0.42 |
Arsenal's numbers are slightly down on last season, yes, but there is precedent that you can win the league without scoring tons of goals.
Arsenal are currently averaging 1.95 goals per game, extrapolate that over a full season and you have 74 goals.
A number of teams have won the Premier League scoring fewer than that tally.
Premier League champions to score fewer than 74 goals | Season | Number of goals |
Manchester United | 1992/93 | 67 |
Leicester City | 2015/16 | 68 |
Manchester United | 2008/09 | 68 |
Arsenal | 1997/98 | 68 |
Chelsea | 2005/06 | 72 |
Chelsea | 2004/05 | 72 |
Chelsea | 2014/15 | 73 |
Arsenal | 2003/04 | 73 |
Manchester United | 1995/96 | 73 |
Make no mistake about it, Arsenal's attack is good enough to win a league title, but, as ever, in these situations, consistency, defensive work and luck all play a massive part.
Could Arsenal improve offensively? Of course they could, they were much better last season, but is a new striker the answer to all of the Gunners' prayers? Maybe not.