Arsenal legends like Thierry Henry blasted by Gilles Grimandi for criticising Arsene Wenger
Ex-Gunners defender says former players should respect the French boss more and remember all he did for their careers
ARSENAL legends like Thierry Henry have been blasted for criticising Arsene Wenger.
Former Gunners defender Gilles Grimandi claims pundits such as record scorer Henry, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon should show more "respect" for Wenger's 22-year reign.
Frenchman Grimandi even told Wenger's high-profile critics to "get your hands dirty" - by helping Arsenal to solve their problems.
L'Equipe report that two-time Premier League winner Grimandi, 47, believes winning the Europa League would be better than finishing in the top four.
The Gunners are a distant sixth in the Prem, so tonight's last-16 Europa League first leg away to Milan is vital.
Asked his view of the stick dished out to Wenger, Grimandi said: "Bad… It saddens me, because guys like Thierry (Henry) or Martin (Keown), I like them, I have good relations with them, but some go in the direction of the controversy and I deplore it.
"To all those former consultants, I want to say three things.
"First, you must not have a short memory: they owe a lot to Arsene. And they sometimes went out of their way to return to the club after the end of their playing career…
WAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE Arsenal dressing room reportedly divided over ‘growing resentment over stars earning higher wages’
"Then, they should respect the investment of Arsene in the club, the fact that he works like crazy every day.
"Arsene makes strategic decisions every day for Arsenal.
"Finally, I want to say to them: Get your hands dirty. Today, you are only in a role of judgement, but invest in a club and you will see that it is not simple."
Henry, 40, has admitted he would take over from Wenger, if asked to do so.
Arsenal are on their worst run since Wenger's debut season after four straight losses.
But Henry also insists he wants Wenger to go on his own terms.
most read in football
He told Sky Sports over the weekend: "If you love a place and they ask - I repeat, they ask - for help, you are always going to say yes.
"What I am saying to you is again, we are talking about hypothetical thoughts."
"What I don't want to see is what's happening to him, and I would like him to have the last word, whatever word it's going to be."
