‘Arsenal can’t sign a Henry or Pires’ - Bergkamp calls for patience

Signing top talents, like Henry or Pires, is not possible for Arsenal, says Bergkamp, who explained how the glory days can return.

The days of Thierry Henry and Robert Pires leading the Arsenal frontline alongside Dennis Bergkamp are nothing more than a distant memory.

The trio were pillars that supported the club’s legendary unbeaten season in the 2003/04 Premier League, each making valuable contributions in terms of goals and individual brilliance.

Fast forward 16 years to this day, however, Arsenal are no longer the same formidable force. A gradual decline left the club clinging for top-four finishes before that ceased to be an option in 2016/17.

There was a French connection for Robert Pires & Thierry Henry who also linked up for 29 #PL goals#ValentinesDay @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/Do6Gdzygan

— Premier League (@premierleague) February 14, 2020

Four FA Cups have come their way in recent seasons, although the lack of Champions League football has proved costly. Not only in a financial sense, but in the club’s prospects of luring top talent over to north London as well.

Bergkamp has acknowledged this and believes Arsenal’s best hope of returning to their glory days lie in Mikel Arteta getting ‘inventive’, remaining patient, and developing the home-grown talents in their ranks.

“They cannot just go out and sign big names in every position, but they have a lot of talent coming through,” the Gunners legend told BBC.

“They have to be inventive if they want success, but it looks like the club is heading upwards again and I think if the fans can see progress, they don’t mind having to wait.

“They will need that patience too. Whether it’s Arsenal or anyone else, if you don’t spend big money then it takes time to build something.

“When you finish eighth, like they did last season, it is a big challenge to get players of the level of Thierry Henry or Robert Pires. You have to try something different, rely a little more on the manager, his philosophy, and the playing style – and, yes, build yourself up.

“Part of that is developing the players you have already got. There are a lot of managers who think they can change players by 40% or 50%, but I don’t believe in that.

“I think, even with youth players, you can change them only by a small percentage – but that is enough, especially in top football.”