Arsenal remains in contention for an unprecedented quadruple this season, but club legend Thierry Henry has emphatically stated that one trophy stands above all others as the primary objective for manager Mikel Arteta. The Gunners strengthened their position at the Premier League summit during a dramatic Saturday evening, with Max Dowman's late match-winning cameo against Everton preceding Manchester City's dropped points at West Ham.
Champions League and Carabao Cup on the Horizon
Following that crucial victory, Arsenal resumes its Champions League campaign against Bayer Leverkusen, aiming to capitalize on home advantage after a 1-1 first-leg draw in Germany. Should they advance, the north London club will then head to Wembley on Sunday with buoyant spirits, seeking to end a six-year trophy drought by defeating Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.
Henry's Clear Priority: Premier League Glory
For Henry, however, securing a first Premier League title in twenty-two years must be viewed as the absolute priority, even surpassing what would be a historic maiden Champions League crown. The club's all-time record goalscorer, who spearheaded the legendary Invincibles side that went undefeated in the 2003-04 season, believes lifting domestic league silverware represents the most significant achievement.
Arteta's current Arsenal squad has adopted a more workmanlike approach compared to Henry's swashbuckling era, with their reliance on set-pieces drawing some criticism. Nevertheless, Henry emphasizes that winning at any cost is what truly matters, especially given the prolonged wait and substantial investment in building a competitive squad.
Henry's Candid Assessment
In an interview with Sky Sports, Henry articulated his perspective clearly: "That's the only asterisk he's going to get if he wins the quadruple. But I'm not there because we went from everything that went before to everyone saying we can win everything. No. For me, it's winning the league. I know we have a game at the weekend and a final is a final. But if we win the league, it's a massive statement to what we can do after."
He continued, "Keep that core and build on it. Again, I went a bit too far with that one. Just win the league if you can. I don't think it's going to be as easy as people think, but that's my natural way. If there are still points on the board, obviously someone can catch you."
Arteta's Journey and Challenges
Henry also reflected on Arteta's managerial journey, acknowledging initial doubts: "Even myself, did I doubt at one point that we could win with Mikel? Yes, I did because the results were making me feel I don't know if we can, if we could. He did find a way. He had to learn on the job. Do you know how tough it is to arrive after someone like Emery, Arsene Wenger, after me talking about whoever? He found a way, serious about everything, all the details."
As Arsenal navigates a potentially grueling run-in that could also include an FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton, Henry's message is unequivocal: while multiple trophies are within reach, the Premier League title represents the ultimate prize and a foundational statement for the club's future.
