{"id":1902,"date":"2026-04-03T07:44:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T07:44:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1902"},"modified":"2026-04-03T07:44:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T07:44:17","slug":"thierry-henry-makes-arsenal-and-rodri-comparison-as-mikel-arteta-sent-clear-message","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=1902","title":{"rendered":"Thierry Henry makes Arsenal and Rodri comparison as Mikel Arteta sent clear message"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_68255d\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has had his say on the Gunners as they chase a first Premier League title since they last won it with him in 2004<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36889110\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arsenal legend Thierry Henry looks on\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36889110.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_RC-Lens-v-Stade-Rennais-Ligue-1-Uber-Eats.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36889110.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/1_RC-Lens-v-Stade-Rennais-Ligue-1-Uber-Eats.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36889110.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/1_RC-Lens-v-Stade-Rennais-Ligue-1-Uber-Eats.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36889110.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/1_RC-Lens-v-Stade-Rennais-Ligue-1-Uber-Eats.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has had his say on Martin Zubimendi  \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has had his say on Martin Zubimendi  <cite aria-label=\"Image: Christian Liewig, Corbis via Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Christian Liewig, Corbis via Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal icon Thierry Henry has called on Martin Zubimendi&#8217;s detractors to cast their minds back to the doubts surrounding Rodri when he first made his mark in the Premier League. The midfielder has faced criticism from certain quarters for a string of underwhelming displays in high-profile fixtures for Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 27-year-old touched down in north London from Real Sociedad on a five-year contract last summer. The Gunners fended off interest from Real Madrid to secure his signature, paying slightly above his \u00a351million release clause to spread the cost of the transfer fee.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Yet the Spaniard has struggled to convince in an Arsenal shirt, prompting widespread debate over whether the club should seek a summer replacement. Newcastle United&#8217;s Sandro Tonali has emerged amongst the names touted as a potential alternative.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_de167e\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Gabriel Jesus makes Max Dowman admission after Arsenal record as &#8216;crazy&#8217; point made<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_de167e\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Arsenal&#8217;s summer transfer plan faces huge dilemma highlighted by Ethan Nwaneri<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Nevertheless, former Gunners frontman Henry has leapt to the defence of the Basque midfielder. Speaking to <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.betway.com\/ca\/soccer\/thierry-henry-arsenals-mentality-should-be-one-game-at-a-time\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Betway<\/a>he urged Zubimendi&#8217;s critics to recall the scepticism that initially surrounded Manchester City star Rodri following his switch from Atletico Madrid to Pep Guardiola&#8217;s side in 2019.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!<\/strong><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/mirrorfootballarsenal#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"> <\/strong><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><u>Latest Gunners news and more on our dedicated Facebook page<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He said: &#8220;People like to talk a lot about everything and everyone. First it was Bukayo Saka, then (Martin) Odegaard, then (Viktor) Gyokeres, Chelsea, Cole Palmer, the referee etc.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;You can always raise issues. Zubimendi just arrived in the league, and when Rodri first arrived I remember people weren&#8217;t sure about him.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36940555\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36940555\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Martin Zubimendi in action for Arsenal\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36940555.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_JS400960475.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36940555.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/1_JS400960475.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36940555.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/1_JS400960475.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36940555.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/1_JS400960475.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"There have been doubts over Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">There have been doubts over Arsenal star Martin Zubimendi<cite aria-label=\"Image: 2026 Marc Atkins\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: 2026 Marc Atkins)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;People can say whatever they want, and rightly so. Everything is so analysed by everybody, including myself, but that&#8217;s how it is at the top.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;If you&#8217;re not at the top or the bottom, I&#8217;m not sure people will talk about you. I&#8217;ve been there, so embrace being criticised, and make sure that at the end you can show something that might prove people wrong.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure data-testid=\"embed-placeholder\" class=\"EmbedPlaceholder_figure__NLMFl undefined false\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"90\" height=\"90\" viewbox=\"0 0 90 90\" fill=\"none\" data-testid=\"consent-placeholder-icon\"><g clip-path=\"url(#clip0_10846_5865)\"><circle opacity=\"0.16\" cx=\"45\" cy=\"45\" r=\"33.75\" fill=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\"\/><path d=\"M21.1351 21.1351C15.0276 27.2427 11.25 35.6802 11.25 45C11.25 63.6396 26.3604 78.75 45 78.75C54.3198 78.75 62.7573 74.9724 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351C27.2427 15.0276 35.6802 11.25 45 11.25C63.6396 11.25 78.75 26.3604 78.75 45C78.75 54.3198 74.9724 62.7573 68.8649 68.8649M21.1351 21.1351L68.8649 68.8649\" stroke=\"var(--color-sem-icon-neutral-default)\" stroke-width=\"7.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\"\/><\/g><defs><clippath id=\"clip0_10846_5865\"><rect width=\"90\" height=\"90\" fill=\"white\"\/><\/clippath><\/defs><\/svg><figcaption>Content cannot be displayed without consent<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Zubimendi was compelled to pull out of international duty last weekend after suffering a knee problem while on Spain duty. He featured for 13 minutes during La Roja&#8217;s friendly encounter with Serbia last Friday, but felt &#8216;discomfort&#8217; in his knee before departing the squad to prevent any additional damage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It remains unknown whether he will be available for Arsenal&#8217;s FA Cup quarter-final away at Southampton on Saturday evening (8pm BST). The Gunners then head to Sporting for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie three days afterwards.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36951233\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\">\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_7c3138\">Grand National 2026 Preview: 48-Page Guide with Tips, Runners &#038; Expert Analysis<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 48-page guide to the 2026 Randox Grand National is packed with interviews, features, stats and all you need for the 178th running of the world&#8217;s greatest steeplechase &#8211; <a aria-label=\"click here to order your copy todayLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk\/grand-national-preview-2026-5688-p.asp?utm_source=Grand+National+2026+-+All&amp;utm_medium=converse&amp;utm_campaign=Grand+National+2026&amp;utm_id=Grand+National+2026\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">click here to order your copy today<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36951232\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36951232\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36951232.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GRAND-NATIONAL-NO-BRANDING-1.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36951232.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GRAND-NATIONAL-NO-BRANDING-1.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36951232.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GRAND-NATIONAL-NO-BRANDING-1.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36951232.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GRAND-NATIONAL-NO-BRANDING-1.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has had his say on the Gunners as they chase a first Premier League title since they last won it with him in 2004 Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has had his say on Martin Zubimendi (Image: Christian Liewig, Corbis via Getty Images) Arsenal icon Thierry Henry has called on Martin Zubimendi&#8217;s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1903,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1902","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1902"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1902\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1903"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1902"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1902"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1902"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}