Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has opened up about the club’s ongoing trophy drought, acknowledging that while Mikel Arteta has been building a competitive squad, questions are beginning to arise due to the lack of silverware in recent seasons. Henry, who enjoyed immense success at Arsenal, believes that while Arteta’s project has been impressive, it’s understandable for fans and pundits alike to expect more.
In a candid reflection, Henry discussed the challenges that Arteta faced when he first took over as Arsenal manager, especially considering that the team was not his own. “I understand that at the very beginning for Arteta you arrive and it’s not your team, you need at the very least three or four transfer windows to change everything that you want to,” Henry explained. He acknowledged the time needed to reshape a squad and bring in players that fit the manager’s tactical vision.
Arteta’s first few years were largely focused on rejuvenating the team, which had underperformed in previous seasons. However, as time has passed and the club has spent heavily in the transfer market, the expectations of fans have grown. With the 2024/25 season coming to a close and Arsenal finishing in second place in the Premier League, the debate about whether the team has achieved enough without a major trophy has intensified.
Henry emphasized the need for patience, saying, “It takes time and you have to give a manager time to be able to implement what he wants to do.” However, he also pointed out that three years of building should have at least seen the club reach a final or win a cup. “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,” he continued, hinting at the mounting pressure for Arteta and the squad to deliver.
The contrast with Manchester United’s recent success was not lost on the former striker. He pointed out that despite widespread criticism of United’s performance, the club has reached five finals in the last five years. “Manchester United have played in five finals in the last five years, the United that everyone laughs at,” Henry remarked. “Whereas for Arsenal in the last three years of building, they’ve not reached a final.”
This comparison, according to Henry, highlights the growing frustration at Arsenal’s inability to compete for trophies on the big stage despite their clear progress in terms of squad development and performances in the league. The pressure is rising, and questions are naturally being asked by both fans and analysts: Why hasn’t Arsenal been able to secure any silverware, especially with the investment and resources that have gone into rebuilding the team?
Henry stopped short of expressing disappointment in Arsenal’s progress but acknowledged that it was normal for questions to arise at this stage. “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,” he said.
As Arsenal look to build on their second-place finish and strengthen the squad in the upcoming summer transfer window, the pressure to secure trophies will undoubtedly increase. With Henry’s words resonating with many supporters, it remains to be seen whether Arteta and his team can deliver the long-awaited success in the coming seasons.