‘They are back to competing’: Thierry Henry talks up Arsenal’s title hopes following their superb start to the Premier League season… as the Gunners legend hails Gabriel Jesus, Granit Xhaka and William Saliba for their performances
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has talked up his former side’s title credentials following their flying start to the Premier League season.
The Gunners are top of the table after winning seven of their eight games, including a 3-1 victory over arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the north London derby on Saturday.
Arsenal’s superb opening to the campaign has fuelled suggestions they could end their long wait for the title, with their last Premier League crown coming in 2004.
Arsenal continued their superb start to the season with a 3-1 win over Tottenham on Saturday
Gunners legend Thierry Henry was full of praise for his former side’s start to the season
Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry, who enjoyed a hugely successful eight-year stint at Arsenal in his playing career, believes they are in with a chance of challenging for the title this season.
‘What is it – eight games in the league? Back to competing, I would say,’ Henry said when asked by fellow CBS Sports pundit Jamie Carragher if Arsenal were ‘back’.
‘What is nice to see is a team that can compete.
‘Competing and for me, I always say it’s not because it’s Arsenal or any different team, when you pass Boxing Day and Christmas, it’s going to be different because you have the World Cup, but when you pass January and you’re still up there, competing for the title, then you’re a title contender.’
Thierry Henry praised the likes of Gabriel Jesus and Granit Xhaka for their performances
Henry, now the assistant manager of the Belgium national team, reserved special praise for Gabriel Jesus, Granit Xhaka and William Saliba after they swept aside Spurs at the Emirates.
‘I’m not surprised with the result because whenever they come to us, I don’t know what happens with them, but they don’t usually perform – one win in 29 visits, so it usually happens,’ the 45-year-old said.
‘But what I like with the Arsenal team right now is that it’s a different team. If you talk about something that’s important, it’s a different team.
Victory over Spurs ensured Arsenal remained top of the table after eight matches
‘Gabriel Jesus is really changing, not only him, Saliba at the back allows them to play in a back four, so Mikel goes into what Pep does also with City with Zinchenko.
‘Xhaka is playing way better. That’s what I was more impressed with than the result because that happens all the time.’
Arsenal are a point clear of Man City at the top of the table. The Gunners host Liverpool on Sunday, while Pep Guardiola’s side welcome Southampton to the Etihad on Saturday.
The Gunners are next in action in the Europa League against Bodø/Glimt in the Europa League on Thursday.
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