Thierry Henry is confident that Arsenal can win the Premier League title this season after seeing Olivier Giroud prove his worth as an impact substitute in the weekend victory over Sunderland.

Arsenal have not won the title for what will be 13 years come the end of the season, with the Invincibles year of 2003/04 remaining the last time Arsene Wenger got his hands on the Premier League trophy.

Henry spearheaded that Arsenal side, who made history by going the entire Premier League season without defeat, but he now believes that Arsenal are in position to replicate their success that season during the current campaign. The Frenchman has been vocal in his criticism of Arsenal over the past two seasons after taking up a role as a pundit with Sky Sports, but he feels that having the different options of Alexis Sanchez and Giroud in attack cane ensure Arsenal are challenging for honours come the end of the season.

Speaking on Monday Night Football ahead of Stoke’s 3-1 win over Swansea, Henry said: “Yes he [Giroud] can be a plan B but I don't know if he's going to be happy coming off the bench, but I think you win a title like that right.

The 39-year-old went on to explain how past title-winning sides have always had options in attack, which enables managers to not only rotate their strikers and keep them fresh, but also make changes during matches if the first-choice forward has failed to find a breakthrough.

“[Manchester] United had [Ole Gunnar] Solskjaer and [Teddy] Sheringham, [Edin] Dzeko for [Manchester] City, we had Sylvain Wiltord so can he [Giroud] accept that to do that?” Henry added.

Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jordan Pickford – 5 out of 10 He was kept busy from the off, but he just didn’t have what was required – as reflected by the four Arsenal goals. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Billy Jones – 5 out of 10 Did his job at the back, but it wasn’t enough against the pacey of the Arsenal attackers. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings John O’Shea – 6 out of 10 He was leading by example and captaining his side appropriately, until he went off with a hamstring injury. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Lamine Kone – 5 out of 10 The centre-back worked hard, but a number of his tackles were mistimed and unnecessary. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Patrick van Aanholt – 6 out of 10 Lost possession a number of times, but on the whole, he done well and we saw glimpses of brilliance from him. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jack Rodwell – 5 out of 10 Had a quiet performance by a man of his standards and ability – he should have done more. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Steven Pienaar – 5 out of 10 Failed to provide anything in the attacking third and gave away too many fouls. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Didier Ndong – 6 out of 10 He was a strong element to the Sunderland side – he was tackling well and done well with possession. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Wahbi Khazri – 5 out of 10 After showing early sights of skill and trickery that was beating the Arsenal players, this fizzed out and he was kept out of the game by the Gunners. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Duncan Watmore – 7 out of 10 He was one of the best Sunderland players today, showing his pace down the wing and his eye for creativity. He also did well to win the penalty. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Jermain Defoe – 6 out of 10 Despite his late goal, he had a very quiet performance by his standards and was uninvolved throughout. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Petr Cech – 6 out of 10 Had very little to do throughout, but when he was called on – he done the job. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Hector Bellerin – 6 out of 10 Showed his attacking prowess throughout as he bombed down the flanks and was regularly called upon to whip a ball into the dangerzone. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Shkodran Mustafi – 6 out of 10 Worked well at the back – he maintained possession well and defended effectively. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Laurent Koscielny – 7 out of 10 A typical Koscielny performance. He ran the line well, defended well and dominated at the back. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Keiran Gibbs – 7 out of 10 He attacked very well today and was regularly used down the left wing. His crosses were causing problems for Sunderland. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Mohamed Elneny – 6 out of 10 Did his job in the middle of the park. He passed well and created chances. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Francis Coquelin – 6 out of 10 Battled very well throughout and won a number of fouls in the middle of the park. AFP/Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain – 7 out of 10 Recalling the Ox today was the correct decision from Wenger – he worked hard, passed well and battled throughout. Arsenal FC via Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Mesut Ozil – 6 out of 10 His creativity was faultless as per usual – but should have done better in front of goal himself. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alex Iwobi – 5 out of 10 He worked well with Gibbs down the left hand side, but was poor in possession from time to time. Getty Images Sunderland vs Arsenal player ratings Alexis Sanchez – 9 out of 10 An all-round fantastic performance from the 27 year old. His attacking play was impeccable and he deserved his two goals. Arsenal FC via Getty Images

“We know the boss, Arsene Wenger, now likes to play with Alexis Sanchez inside and he came on and did the job and he did it very well.”

Giroud came on to score with his first touch of the ball at the Stadium of Light, before adding a looping header with his second touch to put the result beyond doubt. With Sanchez, Theo Walcott and Mesut Özil providing Arsenal’s attack this season, their aerial threat has not been quite as strong as it is with Giroud in the side, and Henry was quick to praise his compatriot for his ability to score with his head that can help change games if he comes off the substitutes’ bench.

Loading....



“He's amazing in the air and that gives you another option,” said Henry. “You can have Sanchez in the middle and him coming off the bench or sometimes maybe you start him and Sanchez goes back outside or Sanchez goes around him, but there is more difficult because you're playing Mesut Özil.

“I think you have a different option but that's great for the boss.”