Henry: City clash ‘massive’ test of Arsenal’s title credentials

Thierry Henry suggests Arsenal’s clash with Manchester City on Monday will show whether the Gunners can win the Premier League title this season.

Arsenal are currently well placed to win their first title since 2004, sitting second in the table, two points behind surprise leaders Leicester City.

City had started the season ominously, winning their first five matches without so much as conceding a goal, but have struggled recently, leading to suggestions that it could be the North Londoners’ year.

“The real test, and what I want to see, is how Arsenal cope with Man City; how they cope stopping them on the counter if they come and sit. Who knows?” Henry said during a live Q & A with Facebook.

“It will be a massive one for the Premier League and I just want to see how Arsenal respond because I’m looking at the return fixtures and Arsenal have to go to Everton, Liverpool, Tottenham, United and City.

“They have all those fixtures so if you can get some points before against your rival for the title that is important, although of course Leicester are top and so you have to mention them.”

There was an expectation that a mounting injury list would see Arsene Wenger’s side struggle – especially given the absence of preferred central-midfield duo Santi Cazorla and Francis Coquelin.

However Aaron Ramsey and Mathieu Flamini have filled the void impressively, and Henry singled out his fellow Frenchman – who was seemingly heading for the door at the Emirates Stadium – for praise.

“Flamini is doing well at the minute; imagine if Flamini left – and it looked like that was the plan at the beginning of the season,” he added.

“Thank God he stayed, because look what happened to Santi Cazorla and what happen to Francis Coquelin.

“It’s a hard one, because for me right now I think Arsenal’s squad is good enough to win the league. What we need is some backup to make sure we have a guy that can hold the fort if Flamini gets injured.

“The position would be holding midfielder for me, and with Arsenal they are at the top and the amount of injuries they’ve had is not normal. But when those guys come back they can be your new signings.

“But we keep saying that! I will have answered that properly if the whole team was there, but the boss never has everyone available.”