The knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League are underway, with Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal watching closely as some of the big boys get to work.
Manchester City and Real Madrid, two of the favourites, have won their respective first-leg fixtures, with Arsenal set to take on Porto next week away from home.
Before it all kicked off, Thierry Henry was told that his former side and Real Madrid are joint in the betting odds to win the whole competition to which he replied, ‘wow’, before stating in a blunt fashion, ‘I don’t do odds’, as he told CBS Sports on Paramount+ (13/02/24 at 7:35 pm).
The legendary striker made it clear that Arsenal are ‘tough to beat’ if they can put the ball into the back of the net, as they showcased at the weekend.
The Gunners smashed West Ham United for six to put to bed all the talk that they needed to sign a striker in the summer or during the January transfer window.
Since returning from the winter break, Mikel Arteta has watched his team score five against Crystal Palace, three against Liverpool and now putting West Ham to bed.
It’s a trip to Turf Moor to take on Burnley next, before that all-important clash against Porto, with the first leg in Portugal.
Thierry Henry warned Arsenal it’s a ‘tough game’ and if they can overcome it, then he will back them to secure the win in the return leg.
Arsenal in the Champions League
“Wow,” responded Henry after being told Arsenal have the same odds to win the UCL as Real Madrid.
On whether it’s an overstatement: “I don’t know about odds. I don’t do odds. It will be a tough game against Porto away. If we pass that well, then we can beat them at home.
“There was a massive decision about. Does Arsenal need a number nine? What they needed to do was put the ball into the back of the net. When Arsenal does that, it’s 6-0. In every game, it could have been the same. In the cup against Liverpool, they didn’t do it. They did it, with a bit of help, in the league from Liverpool.
“But when Arsenal are on point and put the ball in the back of the net, it doesn’t matter who plays. Trossard will score. Declan Rice has been scoring. Gabriel has been scoring. It doesn’t really matter. If we turn our opportunities into goals, then we are going to be a very difficult team to beat.
“Having said that, the draw. It’s going to be tough. After Porto, you can meet a team from your county, then it depends on your path. You go play Man City, you maybe have to play Madrid if they go through. How are you going to deal with that? You are still competing in the Premier League to win it.
“For me, it wasn’t down to not having a nine scoring. Yes, the front three wasn’t scoring a lot, But it was about putting the ball into the back of the net, and when we do, then we are tough to beat.”
Arsenal scoring for fun
Certain players will admit that they haven’t been at it for large parts of this season, such as Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.
But since the return of the winter break, they have been outstanding and perhaps ready to produce their best performance of the season for the most important part of the campaign.
If that’s the case, then there doesn’t need to be much worry about where the goals will come from because they will spread them out easily.
But, of course, it only takes one game where Arsenal slip-up or fail to score and the cries of why a striker wasn’t signed will start.
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