Thierry Henry labels Mikel Arteta a 'mini Pep' after Arsenal tactical breakdown

23 August 2023 , 18:56

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Thierry Henry labels Mikel Arteta a 'mini Pep' after Arsenal tactical breakdown

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has claimed Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is a 'mini Pep Guardiola ' and issued a thorough tactical breakdown of his former side.

The iconic Frenchman has not always spoken glowingly of the Gunners since becoming a pundit, but is seemingly on board with Arteta's Arsenal project nowadays. Henry was appearing on the podcast of his ex-team-mate David Seaman, when he was asked if he saw any similarities between the current Manchester City manager and the Arsenal boss.

It is well known that Arteta spent three-and-a-half years at the Etihad as Guardiola's assistant. The Arsenal boss has made no secret of the fact he learnt plenty from the five-time Premier League winner.

Henry is more qualified to comment than most, considering he was once briefly a team-mate of Arteta's during his short stint back at Arsenal on loan and played under the guidance of Guardiola at Barcelona for two years between 2008 and 2010.

Therefore, his response to Seaman's question made for interesting reading. The Frenchman told Seaman Says : "He's like a mini Pep! I'm happy, you know but I'm not going to say he's not, he is. When I say he’s a mini Pep, he is, so to speak, he is going to put his own sauce in it, as you can see. He’s very different in certain ways, but the tactics are virtually the same."

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"The demeanour, the way he is, the way he talks very well to the press. I like his attitude, his demeanour, the way he is as a coach, the way they trust him. So now the only thing that is missing is obviously winning the title.”

Henry went on to discuss how the pair have similar tactical philosophies, insightfully breaking down the Gunners' set-up and how Arteta has helped transform the perception of certain players.

"Fullback goes in, wingers high and wide, two ten's - people make me laugh, last year when they were like 'oh Granit Xhaka has changed', yeah obviously, he's not in front of the defensive building so less mistakes, doesn't lose the ball often. 'Oh he scores more goals', well obviously, he's higher [up the pitch], you know.

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Thierry Henry has claimed Mikel Arteta is a 'mini Pep Guardiola' when it comes to his tactics (Getty Images)

"'Oh Partey is a good player now', well instead of trying to stop the counter alone, he has a fullback on his left and his right. Now he can concentrate on what is in front of him."

Henry did concede that perhaps the way Arsenal's title tilt capitulated at the end of last term obscured people's perception of the progress they have made, but reiterated that Arteta's tactics were not the problem.

"There was a system in possession to make sure that when you are on the ball you don't concede a counter, obviously they way it finished - it finished, but yeah a lot of similarities."

Josh O'Brien