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Thierry Henry says Arsenal are “tough to beat” when firing on all cylinders

By Daniel on February 14, 2024

Arsenal have been absolutely amazing lately, and Thierry Henry on CBS Sports Golazo is definitely impressed by their performances. He explains why their main opponents should now not underestimate them.

So, in the first half of this season, it was pretty obvious that Arsenal were not as efficient as they were last season. We dropped points in games we shouldn’t have. We created a lot of chances in matches, but unfortunately, we couldn’t capitalize on them.

A clinical Arsenal should have easily defeated Newcastle, Aston Villa, West Ham [at home], Fulham and even Liverpool [away] in the league. Unfortunately, we only managed to secure a single point in these five games. It was suggested that we sign a top striker during the winter transfer window. Many people believed that a top striker would finally solve our problems in attack. In the end, we didn’t sign anybody in the winter window.

However, it’s safe to say Arsenal look reborn since the winter break as we’ve really stepped up our game when it comes to scoring goals. The results below show how the Gunners are finally firing on all cylinders.

Arsenal 5:0 Crystal Palace

Nottingham Forest 1:2 Arsenal

Arsenal 3:1 Liverpool

West Ham 0:6 Arsenal

When you see the results above, it’s hard not to feel confident about this Arsenal team. It seems like we’ve finally figured things out in attack. And that’s why Thierry Henry is really optimistic about our chances this season.

Arsenal have clicked

Henry believes that this Arsenal squad have always had the potential to be formidable going forward and the answer wasn’t necessarily to buy a new striker. The Gunners legend suggests it was just about the current attackers clicking and finding their form.

The French striker-turned-pundit feels Arsenal have the capability to beat Porto and do well in the Champions League, but the key is the attackers maintaining their form in front of goal.

“It will be a tough game against Porto away,” he said, as per CBS Sports Golazo’s X. “I do think, we pass that well, we can beat them at home.

“I just think that, you know, there was a massive discussion about Arsenal needing a No. 9. What they need to do is to 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 would’ve been the same; in the cup against Liverpool, they didn’t do it. They did it with a bit of help in the league.

“When Arsenal are on point and put the ball in the back of the net, it doesn’t matter who plays. If we turn out opportunities into going we are going to be very difficult team to beat.

“Having said that, the draw is going to be tough. After (Porto) you can meet a team from your country; it depends on the path.

“If—that’s a massive if because Porto will be tough—you go to play Man City, you have to beat maybe Madrid if they go through. How are you going to deal with that?

“If you’re still competing also in the league to win it, those are the questions we’re going to have to answer of the team.

“But for me, it wasn’t down to not having a No. 9 scoring. Yes, the front three wasn’t scoring a lot, but it was about putting the ball in the back of the net. When we do, we’re tough to beat.”

Thierry Henry clearly expects Arsenal to be competitive in both the Champions League and the Premier League this season as long as the attackers continue to find the back of the net on a regular basis.

If we’re going to do well during the closing stages of the season, the form of Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli is going to be vital.