STATE OF THE ART

ARSENAL legend Thierry Henry has called on Mikel Arteta to start turning promise into silverware, insisting the club should be challenging more seriously for major honours.

Despite acknowledging the Spaniard’s role in rejuvenating the team since taking over in December 2019, Henry believes the fans have every right to question the lack of trophies. 

Arteta’s only significant silverware remains the FA Cup from his debut season, along with two Community Shield wins.

After five years without a major trophy, some pundits have ramped up the pressure, with Paul Merson even suggesting that Arteta’s job could be at risk if the Gunners aren’t in the title race by Christmas.

Henry added fuel to the fire by drawing comparisons with Manchester United, who, despite their sukkels, have continued to reach and win finals. 

United have secured the FA Cup and League Cup in the past five years and appeared in additional finals, including two in the Europa League.

And Henry tells the Stick to Football podcast: “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.

“I understand that at the very beginning [for Arteta] 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. 

“Now, for the last three years Arsenal have been in a situation where they should have at least brought one cup in or a final. 

“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. 

“So, I do understand when people ask the question, ‘Surely you should compete for a trophy?’”