Thierry Henry reveals he was only supporting Arsenal ‘because I had to’ as he takes aim at late Arsene Wenger years

THIERRY HENRY has admitted he only watched Arsenal fixtures because "he had to".

Henry, 46, claimed that it was difficult to watch Arsenal during the latter stages of Arsene Wenger's tenure and under Unai Emery.

The French World Cup winner praised the current squad's make-up and recalled the struggles of following the side as they toiled for several seasons. 

The Gunners frequently evaded Champions League qualification under the dreadful final years of Wenger and the start of Emery.

And it was only two years ago that Arsenal slumped to their worst ever start to a season.

Henry told "Five years ago I couldn't relate to the team.

"I just couldn't. I was going to the games because I had to not because I wanted to.

"It was just because I was an  fan not as I wanted to see them play. But now I can see what they're about."

The France U21 boss spoke ahead of Arsenal's dramatic 1-0 win against Man City which ended a miserable run against the Premier League champions.

Mikel Arteta's side matched the defensive prowess of their visitors and got a stroke of luck in Gabriel Martinelli's deflected winner. 

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Henry praised Arteta's work in taking the side from their lowest days to genuine title challengers. 

He added: "I have mad respect for what Mikel has done. The way he has put the team back."

Under long-time mentor and coach Arsène Wenger, Henry became a prolific striker and Arsenal's all-time leading scorer with 228 goals in all competitions.

The Premier League icon spent eight seasons in North London, lifting two league titles and three FA Cups, before leaving for Barcelona in 2007.