Arsenal is stagnating, but Man Utd is improving, says Thierry Henry
Gunners legend says his old team must be more solid and direct, and praises the power of United
Just one game into the season, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has sounded a warning note for Gunners fans, claiming that the team has "stagnated" and suggesting that Manchester United look like the team to beat this season.
The Gunners had a roller-coaster start to the season, eventually beating Leicester City 4-3 in a thrilling match at the Emirates on Friday night.
But speaking after the dust had settled on the weekend's action, Henry, now a Sky Sports analyst, was less than complimentary about the Arsenal display.
"You can talk about evolution or revolution at Arsenal, I call it stagnation," he told the broadcaster.
"I watched the game against Leicester and I could tell you what was going to happen… Every time Leicester had the ball I felt they were going to score and every time we had the ball I felt we were going to score.
"Are you always going to score four and concede three? At some point you will be found out… But based on how they played, I saw that too often last year. I didn't see any change."
He also took issue with the Gunners' indirect approach and said Arsenal should feed new striker Alexandre Lacazette more quickly.
Speaking on Monday Night Football, he criticised what he called "the Arsenal ball" out wide to the winger from central midfield when often a ball over the top to Lacazette was also an option.
"Does he lose the ball? No, he doesn't lose the ball. Does it look pretty? Yes, it looks pretty. But we want to go to goal. That's where we want to go. Can he play that pass? It is not difficult for [Granit] Xhaka. They are going to have to learn with Lacazette."
To make matters worse the former Arsenal idol also compared Manchester United's opening display of the season to the kind produced by the famous Gunners 'Invincibles' of 2003-4, says Metro.
Henry said the United side was packed with power and pace, and that these were "guys with ideas and legs".
"They can cover the ground really quickly, that's very important. We had that at Arsenal," he added.
