Thierry Henry believes Arsenal lack steel in their midfield and suggests former Gunner Alex Song would improve Arsene Wenger’ side.
The 37-year-old Frenchman began life as a Sky Sports pundit yesterday in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, and before the Gunners bagged all three precious points, Henry suggested that his former club have gone backwards and are still missing a Patrick Vieira figure to protect their fragile defence:
‘Yes, they have gone backwards, it looks like they are a team who looks to finish fourth.
‘When you look at Arsenal they should be trying to win the title.
‘They are not far but they are missing a big piece. They are missing a (Patrick) Vieira and a Gilberto Silva.
‘Those guys would have done anything to allow us to perform well. They protected the back four. Do Arsenal have that now, I don’t think so.’
Wenger is thought to be in the market this month for a defensive midfielder, albeit signing 17-year-old Krystian Bielik from Legia Warsaw. And Henry believes this is an area that Wenger must address, and also claimed Song, currently on a season-long loan at West Ham, would be the ideal candidate to improve the current side:
‘Song would improve Arsenal. That is the type of player you want in front of your back four.
‘Song is the captain of the boat. He protects the back four. You need someone to dictate, put players into position, make little fouls by kicking someone – like Claude Makelele used to do.’
Why Wenger didn’t decide to bring back the Cameroon holding midfielder – even on loan – remains a mystery.
We do have a few options in the holding midfield position, but Mathieu Flamini’s best days are certainly behind him, Mikel Arteta is also getting on, and while Francis Coquelin has impressed recently, a group of Arsenal fans don’t see the 23-year-old as a long-term solution.
We definitely lack a leader in midfield, one that Henry described, and perhaps Wenger will consider a move for Song over the summer after the impressive displays he’s been producing so far this season for the Hammers.
