Thierry Henry has pinpointed exactly what is hampering Arsenal this season after another poor result on Wednesday night in the Champions League.
The Gunners lost 1-0 to 2023 finalists Inter Milan at San Siro, with Turkiye star Hakan Calhanoglu scoring the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time.
There was some controversy over the handball decision that led to the penalty, but the goal ends Arsenal’s unbeaten start to the Champions League stage.
It also saw a worrying continuation of Arsenal’s terrible run of three defeats and a draw in their last six games, the two wins being a 3-0 win over Championship Preston in the Carabao Cup and a tight 1-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
However, club legend Henry has pointed out where he thinks Arsenal are perhaps going a little wrong this season, with title rivals Liverpool and Manchester City now seven and five points ahead of the Gunners in the league respectively.
Thierry Henry admitted that Arsenal are not fighting for the title after a poor run of results
The Gunners suffered a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Mikel Arteta’s side have only won twice in their last six games in all competitions.
“Right now they are not a challenge for the league, as you can see. The results are not good enough to be at the top,” the former French international told CBS Sport Golazo.
“My problem, and we’ve talked about it since matchday two, away from home I don’t think it was good enough. We were getting our way for a long time, not anymore, so let’s see what happens against Chelsea.
“I don’t think they will be out of the race. I think it will be extremely different because you have so many teams to catch. “I don’t see two teams collapsing, that’s my problem.”
Asked what could happen when the Gunners travel to Chelsea at the weekend, he added: “I don’t know what we’re going to do, I’ll be honest with you.” “Today they were losing 1-0 and Inter gave them the ball, so I don’t know.”
Mikel Arteta’s side had established themselves as Manchester City’s main rivals in recent years, narrowly finishing second in each of the last two campaigns.
His form had also improved massively against his big six rivals; Last season, Arsenal were the only team not to lose to Liverpool, Man City, Man United, Chelsea and Tottenham, recording at least one win against each.
However, in recent weeks they have struggled to replicate the dynamism and fluidity that took them so close to the top of English football.
There have been key injuries and absences to contend with, with Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Ben White, Jurrien Timber, Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino all injured, with Declan Rice not in the traveling squad for the clash against Inter.
Title rivals Liverpool lead the way in the Premier League and are now seven points clear
Meanwhile, Manchester City are five points ahead of Arteta’s team as the top two threaten to pull away.
The Gunners have at least been boosted by the return of their captain Martin Odegaard.
Furthermore, they have also had disciplinary problems, with William Saliba, Leandro Trossard and Rice receiving red cards domestically.
However, the Gunners will know that the recent return of Odegaard, who played for the first time since September on Wednesday night, could be the start of a return to form.
In the Norwegian’s absence, the north London side have lacked a cutting edge in midfield, with their captain and chief creator on the sidelines.
After the London derby against Chelsea next weekend, with the Blues themselves seemingly making a resurgence this season, there is also a clash with Nottingham Forest, who are the surprise package of this season so far, in third place in the league table. Premier League.
