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Thierry Henry questions Arsenal's commitment

Thierry Henry questions whether Arsenal have the commitment necessary to win Premier League titles.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has claimed that the current generation of Gunners lack the commitment and desire needed to win a Premier League title.

The North Londoners' title bid took a hit on Sunday as 18-year-old Marcus Rashford scored twice in helping a youthful Manchester United XI earn a 3-2 win at Old Trafford.

In contrast, Arsene Wenger had most of his heavy hitters available - including Theo Walcott, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez - but the defeat has prompted questions over whether they need an authority figure on the field.

Wenger's side sit five points behind leaders Leicester City with 11 games to play, but Henry - who won the competition twice with Arsenal - doubts that they can bridge that gap.

"On Sunday there was a lack of commitment, desire, leadership," he told Sky Sports News. "They should have done better and it's everything you don't want from a team who want to win the title. Now what's going to be next? Are you driving home from the game saying 'we're playing Swansea but let's see if West Ham can do us a favour [against Spurs] and it's going to be okay?'

"Or am I asking what do I bring? Are we accountable? Are you grabbing someone or are you being grabbed because you're not doing your job. Are you honest with your team? That's what they need to do, ask what they need to be champions.

"You have to grab it, even the day when you're about to be champions - when the guy from the FA passes the cup to the skipper, even then he has to grab it. They know that, the positive thing is they are only five points away from the top and there is time to rectify that. But are they going to rectify that? Only they can answer that."

The North Londoners, who sit third in the table, three points behind Tottenham Hotspur in second, host Swansea City at the Emirates tomorrow night.

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Shane Callaghan
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Arsene Wenger practises semaphore during the Champions League game between Arsenal and Barcelona on February 22, 2016
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2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


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