Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has recently expressed his concerns over the team’s faltering performances in away matches, particularly highlighted by their 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan at the San Siro. Despite Arsenal maintaining an impressive unbeaten streak in away Premier League games earlier in 2024, their recent form has taken a downturn, raising questions about their ability to compete at the highest level this season.
In the match against Inter, Arsenal displayed control and generated numerous scoring opportunities. However, their failure to capitalize on these chances was stark, leaving them with no points in what could have been a pivotal game in their Champions League campaign. Henry, who has watched his former club closely, pointed out this recurring issue. “We’ve seen Arsenal dominate but not score, and that’s becoming a pattern,” he noted.
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is concerned with the club after the loss to Inter Milan
Henry, speaking on CBS Sport Golazo, didn’t mince words when discussing Arsenal’s away form. “They’ve been getting away with poor away performances for a while,” he stated. “But now, it’s catching up with them. The results simply aren’t there.” This season, Arsenal’s ambition to challenge for the league title has been put under scrutiny, especially as their away form dips. “Right now, they’re not challenging for the league, that’s evident,” Henry added. “The results are not good enough to keep them at the top.”
The former striker also reflected on Arsenal’s earlier away games, suggesting that there had been underlying issues even when they were winning. “From matchday two, I felt the away performances were not up to par. We were just lucky to escape with results,” he explained. This luck, as Henry sees it, has now deserted Arsenal, leaving them vulnerable in crucial encounters.
What’s next?
Looking ahead, Henry is particularly interested in how Arsenal will perform in their next away fixture against Chelsea. “Let’s see what happens when they face Chelsea,” he said, implying that this match could be a litmus test for Arsenal’s away game strategy. The match against Chelsea isn’t just another game; it’s a chance for Arsenal to prove that they can overcome their road woes, or it might confirm the fears that their away form might be their Achilles’ heel in the race for top honors.
Henry’s critique comes from a place of deep understanding and love for the club, making his observations particularly poignant. His insights suggest that for Arsenal to reclaim their spot among football’s elite, addressing this away form is not just beneficial but necessary. As the season progresses, how Arsenal adapts to these challenges will be crucial in determining whether they can achieve their lofty ambitions or if their season will be remembered for what could have been.