He had time – Thierry Henry questions Mikel Arteta failure to sign a number nine
The north London club finished second behind Premier League champions Liverpool this season and failed to add to the single trophy – the 2020 FA Cup – won by Arteta during his five-and-a-half-year reign to date.
While acknowledging that fitness problems had played a part, the Gunners' record goalscorer highlighted the lack of a number nine as a key issue.
A post shared by The Overlap (@wearetheoverlap)
Henry told the Overlap Stick to Football podcast: 'When you look at the injuries and you look at the players that came, OK, he brought players – he got [Raheem] Sterling when everyone wanted a nine. He had time to get a nine, he had time.
'I'm not the coach, I don't know how the discussion… everyone has been screaming for a nine – apart from when we win, by the way. When we beat Real Madrid, we didn't need a nine. No, you do need a nine.'
Arsenal have been linked repeatedly with Newcastle's Alexander Isak – the Magpies' Champions League qualification is likely to make that even more difficult – and also Sporting Lisbon frontman Viktor Gyokeres and RB Lepzig's Benjamin Sesko.
However, Henry, a 1998 World Cup winner with France, believes Atletico Madrid's former Manchester City hitman Julian Alvarez could be the answer to their problems.
He said: 'One of my favourite nines out there at the minute is Julian Alvarez. We've been talking about it, putting pressure, playing alone, low, whatever you want to do. Did you see the free-kick he scored the other day?
'He can hold the ball alone, he played at the Olympic Games, he played in the Copa America. I don't hear him saying, 'I'm tired' or not tired. Hopefully nothing bad is going to happen to him. He's played everything and the way he plays, I just like him.'
Arteta's relative lack of silverware at the end of a season during which Newcastle and Crystal Palace claimed the domestic cups and Tottenham were triumphant in the Europa League has raised questions, and while Henry continues to back the Spaniard, he knows that drought cannot continue.
Asked about what Arteta has built, the 47-year-old said admitted he was doing a 'great job', but added: 'Manchester United played five finals in the last five years. The United that everyone laughs at played five finals.
'In the last three years of building that building, you didn't reach a final, so I do understand when people ask the question. Surely you should compete for a trophy, being in the final?'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
38 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Rashford emerges as shock target for Italian giants amid Man Utd quandary
Marcus Rashford appears to have little future at Manchester United and the forward could potentially be in line for a blockbuster move to Italy ahead of next season Italian giants Inter Milan could make a move for Marcus Rashford after their Champions League humiliation. The Manchester United forward is on the lookout for his next club, with his future at Old Trafford less than certain. Rashford was unceremoniously cut from the squad by Ruben Amorim and joined Aston Villa on loan in January. The Midlands side have a £40m option to buy him this summer, albeit they have yet to activate that. A number of potential other suitors have emerged for Rashford's services and it appears that there is now interest from Italy. According to The Sun, Inter Milan have added the United forward to their summer shortlist as they aim to recover from their dismal Champions League final appearance. The Serie A giants were thumped 5-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in Munich. Club chiefs apparently believe that Rashford could be a perfect addition as they aim to rebuild the squad in the wake of that defeat. It is also said his signing would go a long way to getting fans back onside. Inter are apparently exploring a long-term loan move, albeit United would prefer a permanent deal. A source as quoted by The Sun said: 'Marcus is open-minded to a move abroad, and a fresh start. Lots of players have made the move from the Premier League to Serie A in recent years and performed very well. That's why the idea of such a switch excites both the player and Inter.' Away from Inter, Barcelona have also been credited with an interest in Rashford. Sporting director Deco was recently asked about a potential move but claimed work needed to be done behind the scenes before the Catalan side could consider adding new signings to their squad. 'We have been focusing on renewing contracts, after that, we'll discuss players to come," Deco said to BBC Sport. "Of course, these two players [Rashford and Luis Diaz], like you mentioned, they are good but have contracts in their clubs, so we won't speak because it's not fair. 'But when you decide to go to the market, for sure, we find some names. In my opinion, we don't need to bring many players. When I speak with the agents of the players, everyone wants to come or stay. 'So this is important. The image of the club is still good. We are proud because Barcelona is still such a big club, and the way we are playing football makes players want to come."
Daily Mail
44 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
The inside story of Chelsea's £5m Jadon Sancho snub: Why the Blues wanted to sign him, the major stumbling block to a permanent deal and how they REALLY felt about the Man United flop
Chelsea are paying a £5million penalty so that Jadon Sancho will not play for them again. Unfortunate as it is for the loanee being returned to sender, that is the headline which will be remembered above all, even if there is more to this peculiar parting than that. Chelsea's agreement with United did not include any loan fee, the switch having been hurried over the line on last summer's deadline day when a deal sheet was submitted to the Premier League to give the clubs an additional two hours to complete the transfer after the 11pm cut-off.
Rhyl Journal
an hour ago
- Rhyl Journal
Russell Martin looks set to win race to become new Rangers head coach
The former Rangers and Scotland defender was reported to be finalising personal terms after accepting the position, which became vacant in February when Philippe Clement was sacked. The apparently imminent appointment is the latest in a series of major developments at Ibrox. An American consortium led by Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises secured a majority shareholding on Friday and new sporting director Kevin Thelwell officially began work on Monday. Thelwell stated on his first day that the recruitment of a new head coach would come to a conclusion 'in the coming days'. Outgoing Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti and former Rangers boss Steven Gerrard – who reportedly pulled out of the running – were also among the leading candidates. Martin has been without a club since being sacked by Southampton in December after a 5-0 home defeat to Tottenham left Saints bottom of the Premier League on five points after 16 matches. The 39-year-old had secured promotion in his first season in charge thanks to a Championship play-off final win against Leeds. The ex-Peterborough and Norwich captain began his managerial career in November 2019 when he stepped up from MK Dons' playing squad to take charge of his team. We can confirm that we have taken the difficult decision to part ways with our Men's First Team Manager, Russell Martin. — Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) December 15, 2024 Martin steered the Dons clear of relegation danger before the pandemic struck and his side finished 13th in Sky Bet League One in what proved to be his only full campaign in charge. Martin moved to Swansea in August 2021 after the Welsh club made an official approach to MK Dons on the eve of their season opener, leading them to 15th and then 10th-placed finishes in the Championship before moving to Southampton. Martin's firm commitment to possession-based football drew some criticism as Saints struggled in the top flight and he defended his approach days before the fateful meeting with Ange Postecoglou's Spurs side. 'I get criticised for the same thing (as Postecoglou),' said Martin. 'About being stubborn and all that stuff. But if you believe in something and it's taken you a certain way in life then to deviate too far from that is crazy. 'I can't speak for him but we are also adapting. We adapt shape, approach, personnel, but with the same consistency about what is important for us, with the same concept of the game. We can't deviate too far from that otherwise we become nothing, really.' Martin now looks set to take his principles up against another purveyor of possession-based football and one of his predecessors as Swansea manager, Brendan Rodgers, whose Celtic side recently won their 13th title in 14 years. Although Rangers have only won three major trophies since emerging from the Ibrox liquidation crisis of 2012, Martin will have a good grasp of the fans' demands and expectations, which have been raised by the takeover and the promise of a £20million investment in the playing side. Martin spent the second half of the 2017-18 season on loan from Norwich at Rangers, playing under caretaker managers Graeme Murty and then Jimmy Nicholl. His appearances included a 4-0 Scottish Cup semi-final defeat and 5-0 loss against a Rodgers-led Celtic side as Rangers finished third in the Premiership.
