'Difficult to win Premier League' with Arsenal's front three, says Thierry Henry

Stuart Telford

• 16 Dec 2023 16:49 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal will struggle to win the Premier League unless Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli become more prolific, according to club legend Thierry Henry.

Arsenal are third in the table ahead of their meeting with Brighton on Sunday, and could reclaim top spot if they win and Liverpool fail to beat Manchester United .

But five teams in the league - including three below them - have scored more goals than the Gunners this season, and it is little surprise they have been linked with a host of No.9s in the January transfer window.

Ivan Toney, Victor Osimhen and Dusan Vlahovic are understood to be at the top of Mikel Arteta's shopping list, and the club's record goalscorer Henry thinks they need to up their game one way or another.

A harsh appraisal?

"…If you think of the front three of Man City, Liverpool, Aston Villa and Tottenham and look at our front three, you can take it two ways," he told CBS Sports.

"We [have] nine goals [between Saka, Jesus and Martinelli so far], so if we ever start to score goals, then we can win this league… if they stay at the same pace, then it's going to be difficult to win the Premier League."

Henry's appraisal is perhaps harsh on Saka, who has contributed five of those nine goals as well as six assists this season, but with the Brazilian pair adding just two goals apiece, the need for greater firepower is clear.

Eddie Nketiah has matched Saka with five goals, but the Hale End graduate doesn't appear to have Arteta's complete faith, and the Gunners could cash in as they look to raise funds for one of the aforementioned No.9s.

Kai Havertz has struggled in front of goal since his £65 million arrival from Chelsea, but he has been used in midfield more often than not.