'Too predictable' - Arsenal legend Thierry Henry delivers Bukayo Saka verdict and makes Liverpool comparison
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Thierry Henry says Arsenal are “very predictable” in an attempt to explain Mikel Arteta’s side recent struggles for goals from open play. Following a stuttering start to the season, the Gunners looked to have regained their mojo after the November international break as they recorded four victories in a row across all competitions, scoring 15 goals in the process.
However, since the 2-0 win over Manchester United, they’ve been held to back-to-back draws in the Premier League by Fulham and Everton. With leaders Liverpool not in action last weekend as a result of the Merseyside derby being postponed and then drawing 2-2 at home to the Cottagers, the north London outfit have missed the chance to close the gap to just two points at the top of the table.
Furthermore, it’s been highlighted that Arsenal’s last three goals in the league have been scored via a set-piece. When analysing his former club’s attacking patterns during an appearance on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football show, Henry made a note of how over-reliant the team is on Bukayo Saka - using the Man United game as an example - making a comparison to Liverpool who commit players forward when Mohamed Salah is in possession.
The Frenchman also showed a clip of Gabriel Martinelli facing up Diogo Dalot in a 1v1 situation, only to end up near the halfway line 10 seconds late prompting Henry to say: “When you are in trouble at Arsenal, the ball is going to go to Bukayo Saka, it’s too predictable, the ball is going to go to Bukayo Saka and it’s easy to defend.”.
