Thierry Henry has identified a player he believes is frustrating Mikel Arteta after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Liverpool. He suggests that the team needs another forward, as Gabriel Jesus’ limited contribution may be a source of frustration for Arteta.
Following the draw, Arsenal sits third in the Premier League, five points behind leaders Manchester City, and managed to secure a point despite missing key players like the suspended William Saliba and injured captain Martin Odegaard. The team’s defensive lineup has been heavily tested due to injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu, Riccardo Calafiori, and others. Additionally, Gabriel Magalhaes and Jurrien Timber sustained injuries during the match against Liverpool.
On *The Rest is Football*, Henry commended Arteta’s adaptability, noting players like Thomas Partey stepping in at right-back and Timber on the left. He praised Arsenal’s flexibility despite the absence of key players, showcasing Arteta’s ability to adjust tactics as needed.
However, Henry raised concerns about the team’s attacking depth, particularly with Gabriel Jesus, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for £45 million. Injuries have affected Jesus’ performance; he has scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists in 80 appearances but has yet to score or assist this season in 11 games. In contrast, Kai Havertz has been performing well, with six goals and one assist in 13 matches. With Havertz as the primary option, Jesus has primarily been a substitute, leaving wingers Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli as the only alternatives if Havertz is unavailable.
Henry believes that acquiring another forward could alleviate pressure on Havertz and give Arteta more attacking options. Jesus will look to break his goal drought in the upcoming Carabao Cup match against Preston on Wednesday.
