Thierry Henry has admitted he previously doubted Mikel Arteta but now praises the Arsenal manager for leading the club to their first Champions League final in two decades. The Gunners secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid thanks to a strike from Bukayo Saka, setting up a final against either Bayern Munich or Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.
Arsenal are also back in the driving seat of the Premier League title race after Manchester City drew with Everton. A historic double is now within reach, which would compensate for three consecutive second-place finishes under Arteta.
Henry, who played in Arsenal's only other Champions League final in 2006, had previously criticised the team for failing to challenge Liverpool. However, speaking on CBS after the semi-final win, he expressed admiration for Arteta.
Henry said: "I always say I believe in what I see, and when I see something that you can be proud of, then you call it. I am so proud of the team. You have to give this man a lot of credit because he came under a lot of criticism. I was in that too, I will be honest, for a very long time. You have to give him his credit."
Arteta referenced the 2006 final defeat to Barcelona, saying: "We knew how much it meant to everybody. After 20 years, and the second time in our history, we are back in the Champions League final."
Arsenal are the only undefeated side in this season's tournament, with 11 wins and three draws. They face West Ham next, followed by Burnley and Crystal Palace, needing three wins to secure the Premier League title before the final in Budapest.
