Thierry Henry has launched a passionate defence of Mikel Arteta’s methods as Arsenal edge closer to potential glory, insisting the Premier League should be the club’s top priority this season, as reported by Metro Sport.
Arsenal then benefited from Manchester City dropping points at West Ham, putting them in a strong position in the title race.
Arsenal now turn their attention to the Champions League, hosting Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16 after a 1-1 first-leg draw in Germany.
A positive result would set up a Carabao Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley, offering the club a chance to end a six-year trophy drought.
Despite the allure of a quadruple, Henry says the league title remains the most important prize. “For me, it’s winning the league,” he told Sky Sports.
“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 about what we can achieve. Keep that core and build on it.”
Henry, Arsenal’s all-time top scorer and a key figure in the Invincibles squad that went undefeated in 2003/04, praised Arteta for navigating the challenges of following in the footsteps of Arsene Wenger and Unai Emery.
“He had to learn on the job,” Henry said. “Do you know how tough it is to arrive after someone like Emery, Arsene Wenger? He found a way, serious about everything, all the details.”
He acknowledged the squad’s more workmanlike style this season and reliance on set-pieces, but stressed that winning remains the ultimate measure of success.
“That’s the only asterisk he’s going to get if he wins the quadruple… Just win the league if you can,” Henry added
