15 February 2023 , 13:45
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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes his former side can beat Manchester City in their top-of-the-table clash on Wednesday, as long as they show bravery.
After losing to Everton and drawing with Brentford, Arsenal's lead at the top of the league has been cut to just three points. Reigning champions Manchester City can reach the summit with victory at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, thanks to their superior goal difference, though Mikel Arteta's team still have a game in hand on their title rivals.
The last time Arsenal won the Premier League, Henry was part of a squad which went unbeaten throughout the entire 2003-04 season. The club's all-time record goalscorer believes they can take a huge step towards another title, though, and has explained why he hopes Bukayo Saka can continue to be a difference-maker.
"Now where it’s kind of funny, in brackets, if I can say funny, is that for me it’s City versus City, tactically, because Mikel [Arteta] does a lot of what Pep [Guardiola] does in terms of bringing the full backs inside, having that two-three-five shape off the ball to make sure that you can stay and put pressure in the opponent’s half," Henry told Prime Video.
"And you saw in the [FA] Cup that Arsenal could do that to City at City, that doesn’t happen often. So can we beat City? Yes, I think that we can beat City."
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The most recent meeting between the sides saw City claim a 1-0 FA Cup victory over Arsenal through Nathan Ake's goal. Arsenal haven't beaten Wednesday's opponents in the league since 2015, and haven't triumphed over them in any competition since 2020, but Henry believes the onus is on Arsenal as the home side - especially with Saka potentially holding the key.
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Nathan Ake scored the winner when Man City and Arsenal met in the FA Cup (AFP via Getty Images)"And so, it’s going to be game of chess for me," the former France international added. "Who’s going to be more brave? Obviously we are at home. So it’s on us to show everyone, and City, that this can be our title."
Homegrown talent Saka top-scored for Arsenal last season and already has seven goals in the league this term. The England star gave Arteta's team the lead in the corresponding fixture last season, only for City to fight back and claim victory in the final minute, but Henry's attitude towards the 21-year-old goes beyond those games alone.
"The way he came back from the Euros, missing that penalty [in the final of Euro 2020], he never looked back since," the pundit said. "And I just think that… I just want the team to win and all of that, but I want him to play well in that game, to play well up until the end of the season, and to be the player that can decide games."
Prime Video sat down with Thierry Henry and Paul Dickov, as Arsenal prepare to face Manchester City in a top of the table clash, live on Prime Video on the 15th February