Thierry Henry gave a detailed analysis on Monday Night Football of Arsenal’s current defensive play and highlighted a weak point in the Gunners’ attack.
Arsenal spent the last two seasons pushing Manchester City all the way in their bid for their first Premier League title since 2003-04, but they fell short and look set to miss out again this season.
Liverpool, managed by Arne Slot, appear to be the team that has benefited the most from City’s 11-game run with just one win in all competitions, while Arsenal dropped points again at the weekend in a drab draw 0-0 with Everton at home.
Bukayo Saka has continued his astonishing rise to become one of the leading right wingers in world football with 10 assists in the league, but if the Gunners are to end their wait for silverware there is a feeling they cannot rely solely on he.
The return of Martin Odegaard has provided an offensive boost, but there are currently doubts surrounding the left wing position, which appears to be the weak link in the attack.
As such, Henry offered a fascinating insight into how the Gunners operate going forward and, using the 2-0 win over Manchester United earlier this month as a case study, highlighted where Gabriel Martinelli needs to improve.
Mikel Arteta’s side have struggled to create opportunities from open play in recent weeks.
Thierry Henry evaluated the Gunners’ offensive phases of play during Monday Night Football
Gabriel Martinelli in particular was criticized for his decision making during a recent match
‘I would say they are very predictable. “You’re not going to say it’s not good to score from set pieces, it’s extraordinary,” said Arsenal’s record goalscorer.
“I’m just saying that the problem in Europe for a long time was that it took us a year to score away from home in Europe. Now, the last three they have scored in the League have been from set pieces.”
He then showed a series of clips from Arsenal’s victory over United, won thanks to two corner goals, in which he highlighted the difference between their approach game and Liverpool’s.
In particular, Henry highlighted how Saka is often isolated and with few options – “You know he’s going to play Odegaard” – while Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah regularly has runners offering alternatives in the future: “When you see Liverpool moving forward you see (Joe) Gomez, (Darwin) Núñez, (Diogo) Jota running.’
In the clip, the ball reaches Odegaard, at which point Henry highlights a pass to Declan Rice between the midfield and defensive lines that could open “a quick 3 on 2”, but the pass does not arrive and, instead, the Gunners retreat. Once again, too predictable.’
He then turned his attention to the left side, where Martinelli has primarily operated for the past two and a half seasons, and the Brazilian is positioned high and wide against Diogo Dalot.
The clip plays and as Henry narrates how Martinelli should take on his man and use his prodigious pace to create an opening, he instead backtracks: “You’re not playing your 1v1,” and as the clip ends, Martinelli finishes. on the halfway line while missing another attacking opportunity.
While Saka and Martinelli emerged around the same time for Arsenal, the former has developed into a world-class striker, while the latter’s development appears to have stalled somewhat.
Henry highlighted various facets of Arsenal’s attacking play in a fascinating segment
Bukayo Saka has prospered in recent years, while his wingmate Martinelli has stagnated.
In 22 appearances in all competitions this season, Martinelli has just four goals and two assists, which is perhaps why Jamie Carragher suggests Arsenal are a “world-class attacker who lacks” a real chance to win. the title.
“I don’t think he’s necessarily a striker, but I think he’s an attacking player. “For me, when you see this guy, Saka, on the right side and you see what he has on the left, it’s like chalk and cheese.
“Now, Martinelli and Saka, a few years ago they were almost at a similar level, but Saka has become one of the best players in European football in his position, but unfortunately Martinelli has not joined them.
“I’ve always felt, the last two years and even this year, that the reason I’ve never gone to Arsenal is because I feel like they’re missing a world-class attacker. “When I think about the other teams Chelsea have, Liverpool and City, I don’t think they have that quality.”