Soccer-Arsenal should have won more trophies under Arteta, says Henry
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - Premier League - Arsenal v Newcastle United - Emirates Stadium, London, Britain - May 18, 2025 Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta REUTERS/David Klein/File Photo
LONDON (Reuters) -Arsenal should have some silverware to show for their efforts over the past three seasons, according to the club's record goalscorer and former captain Thierry Henry.
Former midfielder Mikel Arteta has turned Arsenal back into a force since taking charge in 2019 but has delivered just one major trophy during his reign, the FA Cup in 2020.
Arsenal have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in succession, twice pushing Manchester City hard but this time finishing a distant second to Liverpool.
They exited the Champions League semi-finals, having reached the quarter-finals the season before, and were knocked out in the semi-finals of the League Cup.
"I'm not saying that I'm disappointed with Arsenal, but it's normal that people are raising questions now about what the team is doing," Henry, 47, told the Stick to Football podcast.
"I understand that at the very beginning you arrive and it's not your team. You need at the very least three or four transfer windows to change everything that you want to.
"It takes time and you have to give a manager time to be able to implement what he wants to do. For the last three years Arsenal have been in a situation where they should have at least brought one cup or (reached) a final."
Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur ended their 17-year wait for a trophy by winning the Europa League last week, while Newcastle United snapped a decades-long drought by winning the League Cup. Crystal Palace won the first major trophy in their history by triumphing in the FA Cup.
Even Manchester United, who have endured a stark decline in recent seasons, have still managed to win trophies, notably last season's FA Cup and the 2022-23 League Cup.
"Manchester United have played in five finals in the last five years, the United that everyone laughs at -- whereas for Arsenal in the last three years of building, they've not reached a final," said Henry. "So I do understand when people ask the question, 'Surely you should compete for a trophy?'"
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Ken Ferris)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
‘Winners are boring': Guardiola says trophyless season may be Man City's best
BARCELONA, June 5 — Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola described his team's first trophyless campaign since 2017 as a season of growth and reflection, dismissing notions of failure and suggesting it may have been a greater achievement than a previous title win. 'I want to suffer when I'm not winning games,' Guardiola told Reuters in an exclusive interview. 'I want to feel bad. I want to sleep badly. I want that when the situation goes bad, it affects me... I want that! 'I'm angry... my food, it tastes worse... I don't need to eat much because I need to feel that (anger). Because if it doesn't, what sense would it have? Winning or losing... We're here in this world to feel different experiences, different moods.' The 54-year-old, who has won 12 domestic top-flight league titles across Spain, Germany and England, spoke about last season's challenges, which saw City finish third in the Premier League and fail to secure silverware in domestic or European competitions. It marked only the second trophyless season of his managerial career. Guardiola rejected the idea that the season was disastrous, instead arguing that it may have been the most valuable of his tenure at City. 'You judge happiness if you win. You judge success if you win and win. And that is a problem,' he said. 'I will not judge myself or my team because of bad seasons or good seasons... Maybe finishing third in a season and never giving up otherwise you finish 10th or 12th, maybe that's a better season than when we won the fourth Premier League in a row. 'We faced so many difficulties that were higher due to injuries, relaxation, I was not good enough... for many reasons. Maybe the analysis about my period is that the last season was better. Qualifying for the Champions League when we were on the verge of not getting it. 'Winners are boring' Reflecting on setbacks, Guardiola quoted former Uruguayan President Jose Mujica: 'Success is how many times you stand up when you fall down.' He added: 'Fall down, stand up. Fall down, stand up... That is the biggest success.' 'Winners are boring,' he said, adding that he always looked forward to post-match interviews with players and coaches from losing sides. 'It's nice to see the losers. That is when you really learn.' Despite his remarkable record, Guardiola dismissed any notion of exceptionalism. 'Do you think I feel special because I won a lot of titles? No! Forget about it!' he said. 'I feel that special is the doctor that saves lives. The people who invented penicillin. That is a genius. Me? Genius? Come on.' 'I don't want to pretend to be humble: of course I'm good! I'm proving that over many years I'm good... But the success I had, I was chosen. In certain moments, to lead Lionel Messi and the other ones, to be in those type of places I made incredible teams... But other managers, in the right moment, in that position, maybe they could have done the same.' Looking ahead to the upcoming season and the Club World Cup, Guardiola emphasised the importance of team spirit. 'Play good. Create a good vibe, good team spirit... Try to make the new players bring us an energy that we need to lift the team again. And at the end, we can lift trophies,' he said. Guardiola also reflected on the pressures of public-facing jobs with constant scrutiny. 'The stress is always there because you are being judged every single day, but it is what it is,' he said. 'Nobody put a gun to my head forcing me to choose this job. I have chosen that... There is no professional in football that wins all the time, because it's simply impossible. So, it happened last season... you accept it, improve, learn and there will be good learnings for the future.' — Reuters
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Brazil need to get the best out of Vinicius: Ancelotti
Brazil must help striker Vinicius Jr rediscover the form he has displayed at Real Madrid, new national team coach Carlo Ancelotti said on Wednesday. Ancelotti, who guided the Spanish giants to several titles alongside the Brazilian forward, including two Champions League triumphs and two LaLiga crowns, said that his unique ability to unsettle opposing defences made him a vital asset. "I don't know if he's been at his best here, but he has time to do what he does at Real Madrid," Ancelotti told reporters ahead of Brazil's World Cup qualifying match against Ecuador on Thursday — his first match in charge of the national team. "For us, he's a fundamental player. We have to work to ensure he performs at his best here," the manager added. Vinicius made his World Cup debut in Qatar in 2022 and has been a regular during their qualifying campaign for the 2026 tournament. However, he has struggled for form with the national team, falling short of his usual standards at Real Madrid. Regarding his tactical approach, Ancelotti stated that he aims to field a compact, balanced team. "I don't want a team with a clear identity. We have to defend well, whether it's 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. We have to defend together and use creativity with the ball," he said. "Individual quality is not enough today; you have to combine it with attitude, drive and commitment." He didn't reveal his starting line-up for his debut as coach, but he did have words of praise for 18-year-old Estevao, who is leaving Palmeiras for Chelsea and has been tipped for a bright future with the national team. "He's got a special talent... he's got character, he's a good person, he's humble, and he seems fine to me, but with a young player we have to be patient and careful. He has the characteristics to be very important for the future of the national team," the coach said. Brazil are fourth in the standings for the South American World Cup qualifiers, while their opponents Ecuador are second, behind world champions Argentina. The top six qualify directly for the World Cup. They will host Paraguay in Sao Paulo next week and could secure an early spot at next year's World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada. --REUTERS
New Straits Times
an hour ago
- New Straits Times
Fabregas shuts down Inter speculation and vows to continue at Como
MILAN: Cesc Fabregas pledged his immediate managerial future to Como on Wednesday amid increasing speculation that the Spaniard is the main target for Inter Milan to replace the recently departed Simone Inzaghi. Fabregas – former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder – has attracted the attention of several top clubs after leading promoted Como to a 10th place finish in Serie A last season. Fabregas is also a shareholder in the club where he ended his playing career. "I really believe in Como's long-term project, I arrived here as a player and I'm very, very happy because I can work here the way I want," Fabregas said at the SXSW (South By Southwest) conference in London. Italian media said that Inter want to speak to Fabregas after Inzaghi left by mutual agreement on Tuesday, days after their 5-0 defeat by Paris St Germain in the Champions League final, and with the Club World Cup less than two weeks away. --REUTERS
