Thierry Henry has criticised Mikel Arteta over his failure to sign an out-and-out frontman, insisting the Arsenal manager has “had time to get a 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 No 9 as a key issue.
Henry told the Overlap Stick to Football podcast: "When you look at the injuries and you look at the players that came, he brought players. He got [Raheem] Sterling when everyone wanted a nine. He had time to get a nine.
"I'm not the coach, I don't know how the discussion (went)… 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."
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 frontman Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.
However, Henry - a 1998 World Cup winner with France - believes Atletico Madrid's former Manchester City forward 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 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.
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: "At the beginning when it's not your team, you need at the very least three to four transfer windows to be able to change everything that you want to change.
"It takes time. You have to give a manager time to be able to implement what he wants to do.
"Now, the last three years, we've been in a situation where we should at least bring a cup [to the club], or [be in] a final.
"Man Utd played five finals in their last five years - the United that everyone laughs at. In the last three years of building, you [Arsenal] didn't reach a final.
"So I do understand when people ask the question - surely you should have competed for a trophy being in the final. This year we didn't compete with Liverpool. I don't know what people think, but we didn't compete, not once.
"I'm not saying [this season was a] disappointment, but it's normal that people are raising questions now about what the team is doing."
Kitaclo
0
life is not balanced. can you imagine, even Chelsea won a cup
Natanya_Barrett
0
Even now he is prioritizing midfielders . The first signing is Zubimendi, another midfielder. When all the good strikers are bought he will rush to Chelsea or Aston Villa to negotiate for another reject. Arteta ought to be sanctioned for signing Sterling at a time the team was crying for a striker of note. He was responsible for the failure of Arsenal in2025 season. It was not the injuries.
Facts
wendepsuyz
0
stop criticise arteta he asked for a no 9 we gave him Kai havertz hehe hehe so what?
fepabcdkt
1
It will be a bit sad if Arteta fail to get a world class no.9 at this moment.
Jamadinors
2
Even now he is prioritizing midfielders . The first signing is Zubimendi, another midfielder. When all the good strikers are bought he will rush to Chelsea or Aston Villa to negotiate for another reject. Arteta ought to be sanctioned for signing Sterling at a time the team was crying for a striker of note. He was responsible for the failure of Arsenal in2025 season. It was not the injuries.
Jamadinors
2
Arteta is feeling too comfortable at Arsenal and have this belief that the owners are backing him. Well he should learn from Wenger who thought he was untouchable until he was sacked. I don’t understand it when a coach refuses to listen to other opinions and feels he knows it all only to fail and start looking for excuses. No doubt this is Arteta’s last season at Arsenal without a trophy.
Vomeimopr
2
Henry is good conversation for arteta
Suninopsyz
2
we all forgot that he sign Sterling on January when all our supposed strikers where injured. a very stubborn manager for nothing. even last year if he added a striker on January we could win the league. why he didn't go for Rashford in January??? Villa took him and they almost beat PSG. Arteta is very stubborn
Jabacnostu
3
Thank you Titi. You are a true LEGEND! You are 100% right. How comes Arteta for the first time in century, Arsenal failed to score 10 goals by any player. How disgraceful is this to the gunners. Buy a world class striker and stop buying defenders and midfielders.
wihceilrtu
3
It's true Alvarez he will best signing in Arsenal
Jabacnostu
0
We actually need our legends to voice out...Wright, Bergkamp, Veira and so on, it is nonsense for Arteta to continue without give us a cup. If Arteta failed to deliver a trophy next he must go. Arsenal is not a second position team. This season is definitely ours after Man City collapse, but look at how Liverpool come out of competition and take it. He can buy all defenders and midfielders but not one attacker.
Kelvlewin17
1
Thank you legendary Henry u said it all Arteta is the most stubborn nd stupid coach ever The last trophy he won Was won by a striker in aubemeyang and Aubemeyang is the last striker arsenal had Since then what has he achieved wit harvertz nd injury prone Jesus upfront Soon Saliba will play 9 for us We re tired of this process