Thierry Henry calls for unity as Arsenal look to end 12-year title drought
Saturday 19 March 2016 11:55, UK
Thierry Henry has called for unity as Arsenal look to bounce back from recent setbacks and end their 12-season wait for the Premier League title.
Having beaten Leicester in mid-February, a run of three Premier League games without a win, coupled with FA Cup and Champions League exits at the hands of Watford and Barcelona respectively, have seen the Gunners' hopes of silverware suffer a severe blow.
The current state of results has seen manager Arsene Wenger bear the brunt of intense criticism from disgruntled supporters, with fans divided over the 66-year-old's future.
But Sky Sports pundit Henry believes his former club still have a chance to win the title, and has called for everyone associated with Arsenal to rally behind the team.
"Arsenal have to remain positive as that is the only thing they can do right now," Henry said. "There are still nine games to go.
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"In order for Arsenal to go forward, they have to block all the negativity that is around the club at the moment.
"I have never heard the crowd at the Emirates react as they did against Watford. It doesn't help when you play and hear the fans having a go at what you do, or a decision from the bench.
"I've played in stadiums where the fans are not happy and it doesn't help. If that negativity comes from the stands, it becomes very difficult for anyone, especially when you haven't won the title for 12 years.
"Now is the time for everyone to pull in the same direction - players and fans - in order for the team to go all the way. They need to have that togetherness at this crucial time.
It doesn’t help when you play and hear the fans having a go at what you do, or a decision from the bench. They need to have that togetherness at this crucial time.
"Arsenal still have a possibility to win the title mathematically. As Wenger has said, you have to hope for the best in this type of situation."
The Gunners travel to Goodison Park on Saturday looking to close an 11-point gap to league leaders Leicester City.
Henry admits Wenger's side face a difficult task in catching the Foxes, but feels it is too early to judge Arsenal's season.
"If Arsenal don't win at Goodison Park it will make things very difficult," Henry added. "They have a game in hand on Leicester and Spurs, so if they can win at Everton they can apply some pressure.
"There is also something happening behind them, West Ham are coming and Arsenal still have to go to Upton Park, so they cannot afford to stand still.
"They lost against Swansea at home, which people didn't expect, and now they need points. At the end of the season, only then, can we judge the team.
"Discussing what the team have done wrong throughout the season won't help the current situation or what lies in front of them. Right now it is about winning the title and that is what everybody wants to see."
