Arsenal legend Thierry Henry held nothing back in criticizing his former club after watching the Gunners lose to an under-manned Manchester United side 3-2 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Henry, part of the last Arsenal side to win the title in 2003-04, spoke after the final whistle saying:
“That wasn’t the performance of a team who wants to be champions,” said Henry, who has been working with Arsenal’s youth team as he develops his coaching skills.
“As an Arsenal fan, I’m thinking, ‘Can you show me you can be champions?’ — and today they didn’t reassure me on anything. They were second-best in everything. It was a really poor performance.
“Don’t take away anything from Marcus Rashford or Man United today, but Arsenal had to do more than that. I wanted Arsenal to come here and win well to send a message. You need to learn how to win games when you’re not at the top of your game.
“They’re still in the title race, but as an Arsenal fan, how are you going to feel confident going to Tottenham, to Everton, to West Ham?”
The result left Arsenal third in the table and three points behind second-placed Tottenham, and five behind leaders Leicester heading into the final 12 games of the season.
The Gunners play Swansea in midweek before a North London derby against Spurs this weekend, where a defeat would leave Arsenal 6 points behind Spurs and possibly 8 points behind leaders Leicester. I think even Arsene Wenger would have to admit that the Gunners title dreams are over then.