Arsenal need a new Patrick Vieira, says Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry believes Arsenal have "gone backwards" in recent years and says manager Arsene Wenger must sign a top-class holding midfielder to turn them into title contenders.

Henry said:

"It looks now like Arsenal are a team trying to finish fourth and when you think about Arsenal, that's not what you expect. You want to see them trying to win the title."

"The fans should expect more and the players, too. I'm sure Arsene himself wants more."

"They're not far off but they're missing a big piece; they're missing a Patrick Vieira, a Gilberto Silva. Those guys would have done anything to protect the back four and allow the forwards to play well."

"Do Arsenal have that? I don't think so."

"It's easy to have a go at Per Mertesacker, for example, but you have to ask: has he had the right protection?"

"Defending better doesn't mean that you're only talking about the back four; it has to be a team effort and you need those guys in front of the defence who'll do whatever it takes." ...SkySports