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Arsenal’s attention now turns to the Champions League as they prepare to face Atletico Madrid.
The Gunners returned to the top of the Premier League after beating Newcastle United, but that result now has to be put aside.
This is the stage of the season where priorities shift quickly, and for now, Europe is all that matters. However, there were a few concerning signs in that win against the Toon that cannot be ignored.
Thierry Henry has spotted one major issue – fatigue – and it is something he experienced himself.
Simple question: Would you rather be in Pep Guardiola or Mikel Arteta’s shoes right now?
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images Thierry Henry says Arsenal players look tired
Arsenal have been playing at an incredibly high level across multiple competitions this season, but that intensity comes at a cost.
Physically and mentally, the demands of a title race combined with Champions League football can take a serious toll on players. The Gunners also made it into the final of the Carabao Cup and the quarter-final of the FA Cup, which made it even tougher.
Against Newcastle, there were moments where the team looked slightly off the pace, especially compared to their usual standards. Even though they won, the sharpness was not quite there throughout the game.
That is something Henry knows all too well from his own playing days at the club.
Photo by Team 2 Sportphoto/ullstein bild via Getty Images
The Arsenal legend recognised the signs immediately and suggested the players may be feeling the effects of a long, demanding season.
He said on CBS Sports: “The Arsenal, unfortunately, the pros didn’t change too much, especially after the game against Newcastle.
“Solid, set-pieces… but one thing we noticed is that the team looked a bit fatigued.
“I’ve been there, physically and mentally. When you play for the title and you have to play in Europe, it’s draining!”
Prediction time: What will the score be when Arsenal take on Atletico Madrid in the first-leg?
Credit: Getty Images/David Price/Arsenal FC Arsenal players are under more pressure than Thierry Henry was
While Henry understands the situation, the pressure on this current Arsenal squad may be even greater than what he experienced.
Just a year before Henry joined the club, Arsene Wenger’s side had just won the double in 1998. There was expectation, but also recent success to fall back on.
That is not the case for this team as Arsenal are chasing their first Premier League title in over two decades.
That 22-year wait adds a completely different level of mental pressure in today’s social media age, which is extremely difficult to handle.
Balancing that with the demands of the Champions League only makes things tougher.
However, Arteta and his players have to find a way to deal with it. They have the quality to win both competitions – now it is about handling the pressure and getting over the line.
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