Thierry Henry says Arsenal have Europe's deepest squad; Daily Mail ranks Premier League depth

Thierry Henry has told CBS he believes Arsenal possess the deepest squad in Europe and that manager Mikel Arteta must deliver silverware this season, prompting a Daily Mail Sport review that ranks Premier League clubs by the strength of their second XIs.

"Right now, I will say that nobody has a team as deep as Arsenal. It’s a must to win something this year. You cannot go back and talk about injuries, no more excuses, you have to bring something," Henry said after Arsenal's win over Athletic Bilbao. Daily Mail Sport compiled a series of reserve XIs for English sides competing in European competition to judge which clubs are best equipped to withstand the demands of a Champions League campaign. The publication excluded players expected to miss most of the season through long-term injury.

The Daily Mail placed Arsenal top, arguing the Gunners' depth is superior across multiple positions. Its suggested second XI lists David Raya (on loan) or another experienced keeper behind the starter, a defensive group featuring Ben White, Piero Hincapié, and junior options, and a midfield with Christian Nørgaard, Mikel Merino and Ethan Nwaneri. In attack the paper names Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Noni Madueke as quality deputies. The write-up highlighted Arsenal's defensive cover and midfield additions, while noting a continued focus on strengthening the front three during the summer.

Manchester City were ranked second. The Daily Mail's projected reserves include James Trafford or another keeper behind Gianluigi Donnarumma, a defensive bank with Mateus Nunes listed as a utility option, Nathan Ake, Abdukodir Khusanov and Rico Lewis, and midfield cover featuring Nico González, Cole Palmer-type alternatives such as Mateo Kovacic and academy prospect Nico O'Reilly. In attack the report pointed to Oscar Bobb, Savinho and Omar Marmoush as bench options. The assessment noted City retain elite starters and have younger players and experienced professionals to call upon, though some subs are unproven at the very highest level.

Chelsea were placed third on the list, with the club described as particularly well stocked in attacking positions. The Daily Mail's second XI for Chelsea includes Filip Jørgensen in goal, a back four featuring Malo Gusto, Tosin Adarabioyo or Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill's absence identified as a defensive weakness, and midfielders Romeo Lavia, Andrey Santos and Facundo Buonanotte. Up front, the paper cited Jamie Gittens, Liam Delap and Pedro Neto among those who can change games, calling Chelsea "spoilt for choice" in wide and forward areas but noting centre-back options have been affected by injuries.

Liverpool were ranked fourth despite London bookmakers and pundits frequently listing them among the title favourites. The Mail's second XI lists a mix of young and fringe players such as Giorgi Marmardashvili in goal, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong as attacking full-back options, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez as centre-back alternatives, and midfield cover in Wataru Endo and Trey Nyoni. The report emphasised Liverpool's forward depth — naming Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike and a fit Alexander Isak — but raised concerns about centre-back and midfield depth compared with the very top squads.

Tottenham were placed fifth. The Daily Mail noted Spurs had started their European campaign with a 1-0 win over Villarreal and identified depth issues at the back, with Ben Davies described as past his peak and Radu Drăgușin recently sidelined. The paper's second XI included backup keeper Antonín Kinský, defensive options like Destiny Udogie and Kevin Danso, midfield prospects Archie Gray and Yves Bissouma, and attacking deputies such as Wilson Odobert, Brennan Johnson and a rotation between Dominic Solanke and Richarlison.

Newcastle were ranked sixth in the Mail's assessment. The piece acknowledged the Magpies strengthened during the summer but said losing Alexander Isak would be significant if the club ultimately completes a sale. Newcastle's second XI featured Aaron Ramsdale in goal, a defence with Tino Livramento and Malick Thiaw as cover, a midfield containing Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock when fit, and forwards Yoane Wissa, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga among the backups. The report suggested that, while the starting XI remains strong, some reserve roles rely on youth or recent signings who have yet to establish themselves.

The Daily Mail analysis framed the rankings around how each club could rotate across the Premier League and Champions League without a substantial drop in quality. Arsenal's placement atop the list was tied to perceived balance across defence, midfield and attack, while Manchester City's and Chelsea's positions reflected a combination of elite starters and high-quality bench options. Liverpool's forwards were praised even as the report flagged questions in central midfield and at centre-back. Tottenham and Newcastle were described as having useful deputies but more noticeable gaps compared with the sides above them.

Clubs, managers and players did not offer comment for the Daily Mail ranking, which reflects the publication's editorial view rather than an independent statistical measure of squad depth. The assessment comes as Premier League clubs begin the group stages of European competition, where fixture congestion and injuries typically force managers to rely on their wider squads.

Henry's public call for Arsenal to convert depth into trophies adds a spotlight on Arteta and his squad as the season progresses. The coming weeks of domestic and continental fixtures will test the resilience of the rosters profiled by the Daily Mail and determine whether the Gunners' depth, as Henry asserted, proves decisive.