Arsenal legend Thierry Henry defends Pep Guardiola but questions Manchester City goal struggles

Thierry Henry has defended Pep Guardiola’s managerial credentials but acknowledged that, for the first time, the Manchester City boss is open to scrutiny following the team’s poor run of form.

Speaking on Monday Night Football, the former Arsenal striker questioned Guardiola’s decision to let prolific players like Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez, and Cole Palmer leave without securing adequate replacements.

Henry pointedly asked where goals would come from when star striker Erling Haaland is not at his best.

City’s struggles were laid bare after their 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby, leaving them nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool, having played an extra game.

It was their eighth defeat in 12 matches, marking one of the most challenging spells of Guardiola’s tenure at the Etihad.

While City have faced defensive issues in the absence of Rodri, Henry highlighted their lack of attacking firepower as equally concerning.

Guardiola’s side currently record their lowest goals-per-game average since the Spaniard’s arrival in 2016, a surprising drop for a team renowned for its free-flowing attack.

Henry remarked: “We all know, it’s the first time and we’re allowed to say it, that we can challenge his decisions in the way of letting Cole Palmer go, Riyad Mahrez, Julian Alvarez,” Henry said.

“Ilkay Gundogan came back and it’s not the same Gundogan who scored 17 goals a season.

“You’re missing those goals. Erling Haaland is scoring the same goals, a few less than in his first season but he’s doing what he does usually.

“I’ve seen him miss sitters in every season but where are the goals of Mahrez, Alvarez or Kevin De Bruyne, Gundogan – where are those goals?”

Henry said he did not expect Guardiola to quit, only weeks after signing a new two-year deal to take him through to June 2027.

“One thing I will say about this team, it’s the first time it’s happening like this to him in his career. Let’s not kill the guy or this team because of what’s happening,” he said.

“You can never say never [that he could quit] – but Pep is not that type of coach. He is really, really hard, and mean and intense when you win, because he wants to keep you there.

“And he’s more nice when he’s down. You can see when the team didn’t play well, he will come out and say ‘I love my team, they played really well tonight’.

“And sometimes he will come on the pitch and have a go at his team when they won 3-0, you can see him arguing that someone who missed a pass.

“I like that. You change when you’re at the top, you try to change so you can stay there. Once you are here, you’re trying to be the nice guy now.”