Thierry Henry Slams Arsenal Fans over Arsene Wenger Abuse, Hails Alexis Sanchez

Thierry Henry believes the "joke" fans who verbally abused Arsene Wenger after Arsenal's December loss to Stoke were "out of order" for expressing their frustration in such a manner.

The Gunners legend suggests supporters have a right to show their feelings but shouldn't go overboard. Henry's comments were reported by Dominic King of the Daily Mail:

"

Fans do have a voice, I understand that. But what I saw after the Stoke game was out of order. You can express that you are upset but to do it in that way was a bit too much. In the game at the moment, unfortunately, that is the way it is.

"

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Footage showing a handful of fans voicing their disgust in Wenger's direction surfaced shortly after the aforementioned match. This train station incident coincided with the anti-Wenger banner, which was unfurled during Arsenal's win against West Brom but calls to end the manager's 18-year association with the side have subsided.

Arsenal are currently one point behind fourth-place Manchester United. The north London outfit can only reasonably hope to achieve third this season, but they face a difficult battle against both United and Southampton to secure a place in the Champions League.

Tottenham have also shown signs of making a dash for Europe's elite—a 5-3 victory over Chelsea highlighting their potential—but Mauricio Pochettino's team showed a lack of resiliency during their recent defeat to Crystal Palace.

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One player whose goals could guarantee Arsenal's top-four position is Alexis Sanchez. The Chilean has netted 17 and provided eight assists in 25 appearances across all competitions this season, per WhoScored.com, despite initially failing to settle and playing various roles along the side's front line.

Henry believes Wenger has finally unearthed an attacking talisman, per King's report:

"

Arsenal were looking for a player to deliver on a daily basis and they have found one. He is brilliant. He can read the game incredibly, as you saw with the goal on Sunday (against Stoke), and his work-rate is fantastic.

[...] I am trying to think if there has been a better signing in the last five or six years. It is still early days but so far it is very good. He is doing extremely well. He is going to score goals but it is his all-round game that I am so impressed with. That has no price.

"

Sanchez's all-round efforts are summed up by WhoScored.com:

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose work-rate has improved alongside Sanchez, recently said his team-mate is "like a Duracell battery," as reported by John Cross of the Mirror. "He never stops and never gives in," noted the Englishman.

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Similar to Henry's match-winning abilities during his spell with Arsenal, Sanchez is now capturing the side regular points. He threatens to be the Premier League Player of the Season at the halfway point, but his most important work is yet to come. Arsenal cannot afford to miss out on Champions League football and will continue to rely on their leader in vital moments.

Sanchez's running provides the Gunners with a determination to get things done. Wenger's squad is still short of midfield and defensive cover—something he can address during the January transfer window—but the manager will undoubtedly be optimistic about what Arsenal can achieve with Sanchez in their side.