A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Thierry Henry issues Mikel Arteta a warning for the Premier League title and Sheffield United boss Chris Wilder admits one regret.
Mikel Arteta urges Thomas Partey to ‘earn’ a place in Arsenal’s XI
Gunners coach Arteta has told Thomas Partey to ‘earn’ his place in the Arsenal line-up after returning from injury at Sheffield United on Monday night. The 30-year-old enjoyed his first outing since October 8 at Bramall Lane. He had a 25-minute cameo following a thigh injury.
Partey sustained his injury during training at London Colney shortly after returning from the groin issue he suffered in August. The hamstring injury kept him out of 24 fixtures across all competitions. A setback following surgery also kept the Ghanaian out of featuring at AFCON.
Arsenal and Partey had hoped he could recover around the New Year to represent Ghana at AFCON. But he finally featured again this Monday night as the Gunners smashed the Blades 6-0. Now, Arteta wants Partey to gain further minutes and earn a spot in the Arsenal squad.
“Thomas is available now to play a certain number of minutes,” Arteta said, via the Arsenal website. “He needs to build that because it was his first minutes after four months, which is a long time. And then, like everybody, you need to have the right to earn the minutes.”
Read more about what Arteta has had to say about Partey’s return from his injury, here.
Chris Wilder admits Bukayo Saka ‘took Sheffield United to pieces’
Wilder has admitted that Sheffield United did not have an answer to ‘anything’ that Arsenal tried on Monday night. The Blades boss has even singled Bukayo Saka out for praise, feeling the Hale End hero ruined his team as Arsenal hit Sheffield United for six in a relaxed fashion.
“They were outstanding, especially when they got around the edge of the box,” Wilder said, via quotes by the Metro. “Their quick play was incredible.
“We made it pretty easy for them to open us up and Saka took us to pieces down that side. We didn’t have an answer to anything they had.”
Saka assisted Declan Rice to make it 5-0 after just 39 minutes to cap off Arsenal’s dominant first half at Sheffield United. So, Arteta could afford to take the winger off at half-time after he reported feeling unwell. It was also the 22-year-old’s 10th assist in 26 matches this term.
The England dynamo also earned his ninth assist of the Premier League season so far when Jayden Bogle unavoidably diverted his cross past Ivo Grbic. But Saka could not add to his 13 goals this term thus far. He rattled the crossbar with one of the Hale End hero’s three shots.
Read more about what Wilder has said about Saka and Arsenal at Sheffield United, here.
Thierry Henry sends Arsenal a stark Premier League title warning
Despite Arteta’s side smashing Sheffield United 6-0 to continue a remarkable streak, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry still struggles to see the Gunners winning the 2023/24 Premier League title. The north London team sit third in the table after 27 games, just two points off the top.
“I’m pleased that discussion about Arsenal having to buy a striker in January, with everyone saying they must, but no, they must finish their chances,” Henry detailed on Sky Sports. “Are they going to go for a big striker in the summer? That is a different discussion.
“They were creating, they just were not putting the ball in the back of the net. The way they are playing at the minute is outstanding. But if I do not see you with the trophy in your hand at the end, then I cannot celebrate too much.”
Arsenal’s win at Sheffield United took their winning streak since their winter break to seven Premier League games. Arteta’s team have also scored 31 goals to just three conceded since the January break. No club has scored more (68) or conceded fewer (23) this term, as well.
Read more about what Henry has had to say about Arsenal winning the title, here.
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