Arsenal icon Thierry Henry has chimed in on Mikel Arteta's unsuccessful hunt for silverware, and even used a Manchester United side 'that everyone laughs at' to hammer home his point
Thierry Henry has stated that it is 'normal' for people to question Mikel Arteta and the lack of silverware he has won as Arsenal boss. The high-performing Gunners failed to win a trophy yet again this campaign.
After two Premier League seasons of finishing runners-up to Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, Arne Slot's Liverpool pipped them to the top-flight crown this time around, yet again meaning that Arteta had to settle for second place.
The lowly Manchester United ended their FA Cup run via penalties, and eventual League Cup champions Newcastle thwarted them in that competition.
In the Champions League, Arsenal brilliantly reached the semi-final stage after sending Real Madrid packing, only to see their campaign end at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
With no silverware, nor a major final to brag about this term, questions have been asked of manager Arteta, who last delivered glory via the 2019/20 FA Cup, his only accolade as Gunners boss. Club legend Henry has now spoken out about the doubts, admitting that any queries are well warranted.
"I understand that at the very beginning [for Mikel Arteta] you arrive and it's not your team," began Henry, speaking on Stick to Football, brought to you by Sky Bet.
"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?' 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."
Attentions now turn to the transfer window ahead of what feels like a make-or-break campaign for the Spanish head coach, who will enter his sixth full season in charge at the Emirates.
With new sporting director Andrea Berta in charge, Arteta admitted that this summer's budget is variable, but there is an initial amount in place, and an eagerness to improve.
"The thing is that the budget is like when you have your wedding, you plan your wedding with your wife and you give her a budget and never less, it's always more," quipped Arteta.
"When you build a house, it's always more. Normally, this happens. You prepare for different scenarios. Then, unfortunate things happen. Sometimes we want a player, and suddenly we have an injury, or that player gets injured.
"There are so many variables that can happen, but there is a budget. There is always an idea of what we can do, what we can improve, what the priorities are going to be and then let's see if we can do it."