Thierry Henry states ‘most important thing’ Mikel Arteta must utilise at Arsenal to win Champions League
Thierry Henry has told Mikel Arteta how he can win the Champions League with Arsenal, after the Gunners continued their strong start to the season.
Arsenal beat Olympiacos 2-0 thanks to an early Gabriel Martinelli goal and a late Bukayo Saka strike to continue their perfect start to the league phase.
David Raya stunned with a first half save, and captain Martin Odegaard dazzled on his return, as Arsenal defeated the Greek side for the first time in four attempts at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners advanced to the semi-final stage of the competition last season, before eventual winners PSG knocked Arteta’s side out of the competition.
Arsenal’s squad depth must be utilised by Mikel Arteta
Arteta was afforded the luxury of making six changes from Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Newcastle in the Premier League.
That included Odegaard making his first start in five matches, Lewis-Skelly just his second of the season, and William Saliba returning from the start to partner Gabriel.
Speaking on CBS Sports [1 October], Arsenal legend Henry believes squad depth may be the biggest factor in the Gunners’ quest for trophies.
“This is what a team is about you go through the season and you need your bench to bail you out…,” Henry said.
“This is why Arsenal this year have a lot of chance, big chances to win stuff because the bench will change the game for you.
“If you want to win and go deep and go far in competitions you have to have depth in your squad and guys that can do it when they come on and don’t see it as I’m on the bench I’m not starting and not cry about it.
“The group has to win that’s the most important thing.”
Arsenal’s title hopes and Champions League ambitions fell apart last season when the likes of Saka and Odegaard picked up injuries, but the Gunners have already shown their ability to cope without them this campaign.
| Player On | Player Off |
| Declan Rice | Mikel Merino |
| Jurrien Timber | Ben White |
| Eberechi Eze | Gabriel Martinelli |
| Bukayo Saka | Leandro Trossard |
| Cristian Mosquera | Gabriel |
Stunning stat emerges which shows impact of Arteta’s squad
The impact and quality of Arteta’s substitutions lately have been highlighted by the fact that for the first time since August to September 2004, an Arsenal sub has scored in five consecutive matches.
Saka was the latest vs Olympiacos, whilst Martinelli has had a massive impact off the bench lately.
That will be pleasing for Arteta as tries to keep everyone in his squad happy, and the Spaniard knows he can rely on his starts to come off the bench and effect the game.
Arteta still hasn’t got his full squad available to him with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Noni Madueke and Piero Hincapie all currently out injured.