Thierry Henry Calls Out Arsenal's Mentality: Time to Act Like

Bornheimer – Thierry Henry has fired a timely message to his former club. Following Arsenal’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday night (November 23, 2025), the club icon insisted it’s time for the players to stop hiding behind the underdog narrative and embrace the reality of being serious title contenders in the Premier League.

Arsenal currently sit six points clear at the top of the table, ahead of closest rivals Chelsea. The commanding win at the Emirates Stadium wasn’t just about bragging rights in North London—it sent a statement across the league.

Hat-trick hero Eberechi Eze and a goal from Leandro Trossard sealed a night to remember for Mikel Arteta’s side. For Henry, the performance reinforced the belief that Arsenal are no longer a team in transition. They are now a team built to win.

Henry Urges Arsenal to Abandon the ‘Process’ Excuse

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Henry didn’t mince words. He believes Arsenal’s long reliance on the term “process” has outlived its usefulness. According to him, the current squad is strong enough, deep enough, and talented enough to go all the way.

“At some point, you have to embrace it,” said Henry. “People keep talking about trusting the process. But this isn’t about process anymore—the process has happened. It’s happening now. You have to be honest.”

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Henry pointed out that even when certain key players are missing, Arsenal no longer look vulnerable. The system, structure, and quality now allow them to dominate regardless of absentees. For him, that’s a major shift that requires the team to adopt a new mindset.

“We’re in a situation where we believe we have one of the best squads,” he added. “We’re not complaining about missing players anymore. Look at how we’re playing. We’re past excuses.”

A Mental Shift Is Needed: From Underdog to Alpha

Henry emphasized that the time has come for Arsenal’s players to carry themselves like champions, even if the trophy isn’t yet in their hands. This, he argued, is not arrogance—it’s responsibility.

Over the past few seasons, Arsenal have fallen short in key moments, particularly in the final stretch. For Henry, that pattern must end here.

“If you want to win the league, you must start behaving like favorites,” Henry stated. “I’m not saying they will win it. But you have to act like the team that can.”

The former captain also made it clear that his words weren’t meant to create pressure. Instead, he called on the players to accept their potential and perform in a way that strikes fear into opponents.

“If I were in that dressing room in pre-season, I’d say, ‘It’s time to stop playing around,’” Henry said. “We need to build a presence that intimidates, not because we’re arrogant, but because we’re that good.”

Arteta Stays Grounded Despite Growing Title Talk

While Henry didn’t hesitate to push the title narrative forward, Mikel Arteta remained measured in his post-match comments. The Arsenal manager acknowledged the significance of the win, especially coming off a disappointing draw against Sunderland before the international break.

“Yes, especially after the match against Sunderland, where we dropped two points in the final seconds,” Arteta said. “We had ten straight wins before that, and we needed to bounce back quickly.”

Arteta, however, downplayed the current six-point lead. In his view, the Premier League’s intensity means no margin is safe, and consistency remains key.

“In a league like this? Six points is nothing,” he noted when asked about their position at the top of the table.

Time to Embrace the Weight of Expectation

As Arsenal continue their impressive form this season, Henry’s message feels more like a challenge than a warning. The team is no longer one that’s “building.” It’s built. With a deep squad, experienced leadership, and a style of play that suffocates opponents, the Gunners have every reason to believe.

Now, it’s about mentality. Titles aren’t won in November, but champions are shaped by how they handle pressure from this point forward. For Henry, the shift isn’t tactical—it’s psychological.

If Arsenal can embrace that shift, this could truly be their season.