Thierry Henry believes Arsenal are ‘the most solid’ team in the Champions League but fears the team’s biggest weakness could prevent them from winning the competition.
Mikel Arteta’s Premier League leaders have one foot in the semi-finals after beating Sporting 1-0 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Tuesday night.
Arsenal had lost back-to-back games for the first time this season going into the Champions League quarter-finals, losing to title rivals Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Championship side Southampton in the FA Cup.
Arteta was ‘very happy’ to see his team get back to winning ways out in Lisbon courtesy of Kai Havertz’s injury-time winner and take a one-goal lead back for next week’s return leg at the Emirates Stadium.
A clean sheet produced by the brilliant David Raya against Sporting means Arsenal have now conceded just five goals in 11 Champions League games this season.
The Gunners also boast by far the best defensive record in the Premier League – conceding 22 goals in 31 games – and Henry views his former club as ‘the most solid’ team in Europe.
Legendary striker Henry is concerned about Arsenal up the other end of the pitch, however, and says a lack of creativity could be an ‘issue’ for Arteta as he chases a Premier League and Champions League double.
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Asked to identify Arsenal’s biggest strength and weakness ahead of their quarter-final first-leg against Sporting on Tuesday night, Henry said on CBS Sports: ‘We know their biggest strength already, they are strong as a team and very solid.
‘For me they are the most solid team in the Champions League.
We also know about the set-pieces – people are crying about that but it’s a part of the game and a big advantage for Arsenal because they’re pretty good at it.
‘But if the defence doesn’t work I don’t think we are creating enough at times to be able to hurt teams and that might be an issue.’
Speaking after Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Portuguese champions Sporting, Henry added: ‘It’s better than coming back with a 0-0 obviously!
The European clash looked set to end in a stalemate before substitutes Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli combined to give Arsenal a late win.
‘It’s been the story of the season, how important the finishers have been for us, to achieve what we want,’ Arteta said after the game.
‘And today, all of them – Gabi came on and made a huge impact; Kai the same; Max the same.
So we really need that, and we’re really happy with that.
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Asked whether he feels the job is only half done ahead of the return leg in north London, Arteta added: ‘One hundred percent and the players know that.
‘They know how tough it’s going to be now at Emirates Stadium, and we’ll be fully ready for that.
‘The supporters were exceptional again, thank you so much for following all the way here, and being with the team.
We’re very happy to give them the victory.’
Arsenal put their Champions League aspirations on hold this weekend as they return to Premier League action against Bournemouth.
The Gunners currently boast a nine-point lead over second-placed Manchester City, who have a game in hand.
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Source: This article was originally published by Metro UK
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