Arsenal news: Thierry Henry asks Arsene Wenger to rethink how he uses Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey

The former Gunners striker recently left a coaching role with the club's Under-18 side

Mark Critchley
Monday 18 July 2016 12:53 BST
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Sanchez and Ramsey celebrate a goal at White Hart Lane last season
Sanchez and Ramsey celebrate a goal at White Hart Lane last season (Getty)

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Thierry Henry has called on Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, to rethink the way he uses Alexis Sanchez and Aaron Ramsey.

The former Gunners striker, who recently left a coaching role with the club’s Under-18 side, believes that tactical alterations in the way they operate could make a significant difference.

Both players impressed for their respective national teams during international tournaments this summer, despite having forgettable campaigns at club level.

Sanchez led Chile to their second successive Copa America title, while Ramsey was instrumental in Wales’ run to the semi-finals of this summer’s European Championships.

“When I see Sanchez play for Chile, he is up front, free,” Henry told The Sun. “Not on the left, not on the right. That might be something.

“If Alexis can be used in and around [Olivier] Giroud, instead of being wide, both of them will benefit from that.”

Despite impressing following his move from Barcelona in the summer of 2014, Sanchez was less effective in his second season, which ended with rumours surrounding his future at the club.

Ramsey, meanwhile, scored just six goals in 40 appearances last term before his eye-catching displays in France.

“[Ramsey] showed Arsene what he can do in midfield,” Henry added. “Now we have Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, it is difficult when you want to be in the middle for Arsenal. But what was good for Aaron was that he showed everyone.

Henry recently left a role coaching the club's Under-18 side
Henry recently left a role coaching the club's Under-18 side (Getty)

“Reading between the lines of what he says, he would prefer to be in the middle, but he will do a job on the right or wherever the boss asks him to play.

“That is great of him, but as a No 10 who runs beyond and everywhere, I just thought that he should have got more credit. He was as good as the other guys I saw in that tournament.

Summer 2016 Transfer Window - Done deals and rumours

“Maybe he didn’t score the six goals that [Antoine] Griezmann scored but assists, goals, energy, defending, going forward — hopefully that can be good for Arsenal if he can come home and play the same way.”

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