“He’s really annoying Arteta, and I don’t like it.”- Legend of Arsenal The Arsenal player that is “seriously frustrating” is named by Thierry Henry. Arteta Mikel
Following the Liverpool draw, Thierry Henry labels Mikel Arteta as the Arsenal player who is “frustrating” him.
Given that Mikel Arteta will be growing “frustrated” with Gabriel Jesus’ lack of impact, Thierry Henry thinks Arsenal needs to add another forward.
Arsenal is now third in the rankings, five points behind leaders Manchester City, after being held to a 2-2 draw with championship rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
Despite missing several important players, such as captain Martin Odegaard due to injury and suspended William Saliba, the Gunners had a successful outcome.
Their defensive depth has undoubtedly suffered; during the game against the Reds, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber both hobbled off with injuries, and Takehiro Tomiyasu and Riccardo Calafiori were also sidelined.
Though he was impressed with Arteta and his team’s handling of the back injury problems, Henry voiced concern that their hopes of winning the title would be derailed by a lack of good options up top.
“It’s how adaptable Arsenal are,” the former Arsenal player stated on The Rest is Football. Timber is playing left-back, while [Thomas] Partey is playing right-back.
Even without important players, they found a way. if they wish to counterattack and still cause issues, or if they want a low block.
People question their mindset on their preferred style of play, but I always give a manager credit if they can adjust to the demands of the game, which Arteta did admirably.
“You bring in Jesus as this striker, winger, forward, whatever you want to call him, and he’s not contributing enough in terms of goal threat,” I believe, “which is just frustrating for him [Arteta].”
To assist him and relieve some of the strain on [Kai] Havertz, perhaps another forward [needs to be signed].
Jesus was acquired by Arteta from City in 2022 for £45 million, but the Brazilian’s form has suffered due to injury concerns; in 80 games, he has scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists.
With Havertz well ahead of him in the standings, he has usually been consigned to late cameos off the bench and has yet to record a goal or assist in 11 appearances this season, four of which have been starts.
With six goals and an assist in 13 games this season, the German has established himself as the team’s center forward. However, Arteta only has the struggling Jesus or wingers Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli to fall back on if the German is injured.
When Arsenal plays Preston in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, Jesus will be looking to snap his goalless streak.
