"It has to be this year" - Thierry Henry sends PL title message to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has told club manager Mikel Arteta to avoid any excuses in his pursuit of a first Premier League title this season. The Gunners lead the way in the league after 16 rounds of matches and look to be the best side in the division this season.

Pundit Henry spoke with Betway, revealing that he expects the team to win the league this year, without any excuses. He pointed out that every team has its own problems, including Arsenal, but the important thing is how they get through their problems.

"Injuries, the busy calendar - let’s not talk. Everybody has their own problems. Let’s see who’s going to be there at the end. I won’t change my tune from the beginning of the season - we must win the league. It has to be this year. I believe the team can do it and I just hope we can cross that line. You will see in a season the team’s going to be tested, injuries are going to happen and things are not going to go your way. It’s how you go through that", he said (via GOAL).

Mikel Arteta is set to reach his sixth anniversary as Arsenal boss this weekend, and has yet to win the Premier League since taking over the reins at the club. The Spaniard has seen his side finish in second place in each of the last three seasons as they look increasingly primed for glory.

The Gunners have a two-point lead atop the standings, with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in second place and Unai Emery's Aston Villa in third. They have dropped points against Sunderland, Chelsea, and Villa in recent weeks, leading to questions about their title credentials.

Arsenal handed boost as Everton star unavailable for clash

Arsenal have been handed a boost ahead of their Premier League meeting with Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium this weekend. The Gunners are aiming to secure another three points that would move them closer to their goal of ending up as league champions this season.

Everton boss David Moyes has revealed in his press conference ahead of the game that his side would be without Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The former Chelsea man picked up a thigh injury in the first half of the Toffees' 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.

"Kiernan is doing well but not available for the game. He’ll be a big miss for us but that’s what happens at this time of the years – liable to lose players, every club has got injuries and suspensions, so we’re no different to anybody else", he said (via metro.co.uk).

Dewsbury-Hall was in fine form before the injury, scoring three goals and providing two assists in his last five appearances for Everton. The Englishman joined the Merseyside club after helping Chelsea to win the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup last summer.