Thierry Henry admits he lost interest in Arsenal before Mikel Arteta revival

Arsenal legend only attended games because he “had to” in post-Arsene Wenger years
Marc Mayo16 October 2023

Arsenal icon Thierry Henry has admitted that even he lost interest in watching the Gunners before Mikel Arteta brought the team back into title contention.

Arsene Wenger’s final years in charge before the short reign of Unai Emery saw Arsenal regularly miss out on Champions League football, with silverware in short supply.

During that period, Henry has described himself as only attending games because he “had to”.

But the 46-year-old’s love for watching his old team returned with the arrival of current manager Arteta.

He told the Rest Is Football podcast: “Five years ago I couldn’t relate to the team.

“I just couldn’t. I was going to the games because I had to not because I wanted to.

“It was just because I was an Arsenal fan not as I wanted to see them play. But now I can see what they’re about.

“I have mad respect for what Mikel has done. The way he has put the team back.”

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