Henry: Arsenal and Wenger must sacrifice attacking game

Daniel Storey

Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry believes that Arsenal must defend more as a unit if they are to beat Barcelona.

Writing in his column in The Sun, Henry writes that Arsenal must be content with 30 per cent possession if they are to have any hopes of progression in the Champions League.

Arsenal host Barcelona on Tuesday night, with the second leg taking place on March 16 in the Nou Camp. Barcelona are the favourites to win the competition.

‘They (Arsenal) have to accept they will probably only have 30 per cent possession and must be so efficient when they do get the ball,’ Henry wrote.

‘The whole team must defend more as a unit and the wingers must tuck in and play more in their own half.

‘You very rarely get the chance to play against Barcelona so you must be prepared to sacrifice parts of your attacking game, home and away.’

‘Arsenal must be brave on the ball. They need to stay compact, play on the counter and score every time they get in their penalty area.

‘They can’t be exposed in the middle and must force Barcelona to run back 60 yards before they get the ball. If you allow them to stay in your half for wave after wave, it becomes almost impossible to defend.’

‘Score every time you get in their penalty area’? Cheers for the advice Thierry, we hadn’t thought of that.