Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has revealed that he wasn’t surprised when Arsene Wenger extended his stay with Arsenal on Wednesday, but has said that only the Premier League title will vindicate him.
He also claimed that Wenger’s switch in system to a back three could be the catalyst for a title-winning campaign next season.
The decision to extend his reign to 23 years at Arsenal has divided fans, and Henry told Sky Sports that “only time will tell” whether Wenger is capable of building a league-winning squad.
“I can only go with what Wenger is saying. He says the team is good enough,” Henry said.
“He might buy one or two players having, as he’s claimed, created a dynamic to win the title finally. But I’ve heard that before, and the year before, and the year before.
“Everyone is waiting for the title; the club, the players, the fans and Arsene himself,” Henry added.
Henry also told Sky Sports that despite Arsenal’s poor season, he was personally pleased to see Wenger stay.
Henry won six trophies during his time at the north London club under Wenger’s leadership.
Fans remain divided as the Gunners complete their 13th year without a Premier League title – finishing fifth and outside of the Champions League spots – while the likes of Leicester, Chelsea and Manchester City having all lifted the trophy in the meantime.
However, Arsenal enjoyed a strong finish to the season after Wenger switched to a back three for the run-in, and they won their last five Premier League games and beat Chelsea in the FA Cup final to salvage something from a disastrous campaign.
Now, Henry is hoping that this could be the catalyst towards a serious tilt at the Premier League title next season: “Hopefully a change in system might be the thing that helps them win the title next year.”