The Gunnners led the Premier League at this stage last season but went into the Super Sunday contest at Manchester City 16 points off pace-setting Chelsea.
Critics have pointed the finger at a defence that has conceded more goals than any of the current top four but Henry, making his Sky Sports punditry debut, reckons Wenger's failure to replace the likes of Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva has put undue pressure on the men at the back.
Asked if he felt Arsenal had gone backwards over the past year, Henry said: "You'd have to say yes.
"The fans should expect more and the players, too. I'm sure Arsene himself wants more."It looks now like Arsenal are a team trying to finish fourth and when you think about Arsenal, that's not what you expect. You want to see them trying to win the title.
"They're not far off but they're missing a big piece; they're missing a Patrick Vieira, a Gilberto Silva. Those guys would have done anything to protect the back four and allow the forwards to play well.
"Do Arsenal have that? I don't think so.
"It's easy to have a go at Per Mertesacker, for example, but you have to ask: has he had the right protection?
"Defending better doesn't mean that you're only talking about the back four; it has to be a team effort and you need those guys in front of the defence who'll do whatever it takes."
culled from skysport.com
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