'Thierry Henry is wrong': Arsene Wenger hits out at Arsenal legend after his criticism of Olivier Giroud

Henry said Giroud needs replacing if Arsenal are to win the Premier League but Wenger says there was a time when fans question Henry's ability

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud (Getty)

Arsene Wenger defended Olivier Giroud following criticism from former Arsenal striker and club legend Thierry Henry, and admitted that it was a similar scenario when Henry started out at the club.

Henry was scathing in his belief that Giroud can’t guide Arsenal to the title, claiming he “does a job” but that he isn’t good enough to lead the Gunners to a first Premier League success since 2004.

“I think Giroud is doing extremely well. But can you win the league with him? I wouldn't think so,” Henry said in his role as a pundit on Sky Sports following the 0-0 draw with Chelsea on 26 April.

“He does a job, and he does it ever so well, but you can't win the league.

Henry was scathing in his assessment of Giroud (GETTY IMAGES)

“Arsenal were at the top of the league last season, but everyone was saying they are not going win the league.”

However, Wenger has leapt to the defence of Giroud, who has scored 18 goals in all competitions this season and 12 in 2015 having suffered a broken leg early in the season.

“I think he’s wrong,” said Wenger, ahead of today’s Premier League trip to Hull. “He’s paid for that. We know all the system now of the modern media, especially on TV. I know how it works. They push you to be controversial because they give you a lot of money.

Giroud has scored 18 goals this season (Getty Images)

“I can accept an opinion but the comment on Giroud was a bit more wrong, especially because I heard the same thing being said about [Nicolas] Anelka, about [Thierry] Henry himself and about [Robin] van Persie. And they all became world-class players themselves.”