Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League three years in a row and reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League and the EFL Cup
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has expressed concern over the club’s lack of trophies under Mikel Arteta, saying that the Spaniard needs tangible results to match the promise of his team on the pitch.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Henry said that he was far from disappointed in Arsenal given the progress they have made under Arteta since he took the reins in 2019, but that it’s now fair for fans to expect more than just near-misses.
“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,” said Henry. “For the last three years Arsenal have been in a situation where they should have at least brought one cup or [reached] a final.”
Arteta, who took charge after leaving his assistant post at Manchester City, led Arsenal to an FA Cup title in his first half-season. However, the club has failed to add to that since, despite featuring regularly in the Premier League title conversation.
Under Pep Guardiola’s former assistant Arsenal have finished second in the Premier League three years in a row, averaging 82 points per season. In the 2024-25 season, the Gunners reached the semi-finals of both the Champions League – their first appearance at that stage since 2009 – and the Carabao Cup, but lost out to Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle, respectively.
Henry, who won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups as a player with Arsenal, compared his former club’s recent record with that of the more maligned Manchester United.
“Manchester United have played in five finals in the last five years, the United that everyone laughs at,” said Henry. “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?'”
