Van Persie missed by Arsenal

Former Arsenal man Thierry Henry has talked up his old side's title chances this season.

Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer admits, however, that the Gunners are missing Robin van Persie and could rue not signing a replacement striker in January.

Nicklas Bendtner has come in after a spell on the sidelines and is now first choice upfront for Arsène Wenger's side, but the Dane looked far from convincing in Arsenal's 3-1 win over Burnley, missing some easy chances in the game.

He told the News of the World: "I say honestly right now that I think Arsenal can win the league - and I thought that even before the start of the season.

"I would really like to have known what they could have done if they had a striker who could score 20 or more goals.

"If Robin van Persie had not got injured before Christmas, then who knows what might have happened?

"You would like to think that having him in your squad would give you an extra six or seven points."

The Frenchman, now with Barcelona, went on to praise his former manager Wenger for getting Arsenal so far this season.

He added: "If Arsène managed to win a trophy this season with a squad so young it would be massive, particularly after the stick he got at the start of the season for saying he thought his team could achieve something.

"He has been criticised so often for saying his side could win a trophy - and who is laughing now?

"He wanted to do things his way and has shown he was not wrong.

"I know lots of people have a go at him over the lack of silverware but every year they are near the top."

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