Thierry Henry believes Mikel Arteta now possesses the number one squad depth in the PL, and he says so without mentioning Gabriel Jesus.
Henry forgets Gabriel Jesus while praising Arsenal attack
Arsenal icon Thierry Henry believes his former side has the strongest squad depth in the PL this season. Although, he couldn’t hide his surprise when he realized he had completely overlooked Gabriel Jesus while running through Arteta’s attacking options.
That slip alone shows just how heavy the competition for places has become. Arsenal’s summer business gave the manager a front line filled with pace, flair and finishing power. Against Athletic Club in the UCL, the depth was there for everyone to see.
Arteta brought on Gabriel Martinelli, and Leandro Trossard in the second half. They both scored off the bench in a 2-0 away win. To Henry, that proved Arsenal has great squad depth. He thinks the Gunners have players who can change the game regardless of position.
Striker snubbed but Gunners keep rolling
The one downer in the mix is Jesus’ ongoing absence. The Brazilian striker has been recovering from an ACL injury since the start of the year. His surgery is keeping him out long term. He’s not even included in Arsenal’s UCL squad this season. The player may not be back until the closing months of the campaign.
Yet, the way Arteta’s men handled business without him against Athletic Club shows the safety net the club now enjoys. Having so many attacking threats to rotate not only protects the squad from injuries but also keeps standards sky-high.
Speaking on CBS Sports, Henry said he thinks Arsenal currently has the best squad depth in the league. Although, the true test will come this weekend when the Gunners welcome Manchester City.
Author’s Opinion:
Henry’s slip about forgetting Jesus says it all. Arsenal’s attack is overflowing with weapons, and that’s the hallmark of a proper title contender. City may still be the benchmark, but Arteta finally has the numbers to go toe-to-toe.
