Ok, let’s have it – anyone who wants to bitch about the headline, just do it right now – come on, go down to the comments, scream ‘cunt’ and come back up. I’m waiting…
Back? This article is going to look at Arsenal’s future from the perspective of a Manchester United fan – from someone who still respects the Gunners’ ability to beat the best teams in the world on their day. You guys are frackin’ good.
So let’s get this started already.
Henry’s main reasons for leaving (as he claims) were the departure of David Dein and the failure of Wenger to commit to a contract extension now (this doesn’t automatically mean that Wenger will leave next year, mind you).
Personally I have no reason to doubt this – and quite frankly after a certain point it becomes a matter of speculation. Did Wenger kick him out? Henry says that it was his own decision to leave, and I’d believe that over ‘rumors’ of a row or doubts in Wenger’s mind about Henry A lot of that has been fueled by the media and four months after the Feb injury it becomes insanely easily to forget that there was an insane media blitz covering the story and there was plenty of crap floating around about this. Some of that seems to have stuck permanently in the minds of the fans, which is never good.
So Henry left on his own. Fine; if a player wants to go he shouldn’t be forced to stay. You can convince him to stay – as I think Dein and Wenger did with Henry last summer and Ferguson and Queiroz did with Ronaldo last summer – but you can’t force him. Barcelona were calling, Henry consulted Wenger and Dein and then made the decision on his own, fair enough.
And if Wenger tells Henry that he’s not committing to a new contract, I don’t think it’s cause for alarm, although from this point onwards the fans and the board should start preparing for an end to the Wenger-era. We can’t pretend to say whether Arsene will stay or leave, but if everyone is going to go with their bias and then rationalise it (Arsenal fans take note) then my view is that Wenger is either waiting to see the outcome of certain things that will only happen in or at the end of the 2007/2008 season, or he is simply seeing out his contract as honorably as he can.
If Wenger wants to extend his contract, he will do it this summer. If he’s waiting for something or he wants to leave, he won’t. I can’t imagine that the Arsenal board would not already have made him an excellent offer to tie him down for the future – they can’t be that short-sighted.
If Wenger’s waiting for something, what could that be? Dein? It’s possible. I know that Wenger has nothing to worry about from the team, so whatever he is waiting for has to be about the club.
Speaking of Dein, some people have said that Henry’s mention of Dein’s departure as one of the reasons of him leaving is weak and is just an excuse. I don’t think so. I won’t pretend to know more about Dein-Wenger-Henry than what’s been written on Arseblog and by the Guardian / BBC, but going from what I’ve read from them I think that if Dein had stuck around, Wenger would have signed that new contract.
I also think that Henry stuck around because he trusted the direction Arsenal would go in under Dein and Wenger, and there’s a good chance that he would have stayed this summer if Wenger had signed the new contract (then again, there’s also a good chance that he might not have, we’ll never know so it’s pointless to speculate).
Anyway, my view is that Henry saw his footballing friends leave and now he’s risking seeing his friends in the Arsenal management leave and he wants to win the Champions League and wants to play for a club that’s truly global and bigger than Arsenal. It’s the end of his career, let him go, let him be, thank him for the memories and not blame him for what happened in the last 12 months.
Henry took a lot of flak last season, most of quite unfair – here’s a player who has been in top form for several years and has played non-stop football and is unsettled AND injured. The whole team underperforms, but Henry got the most stick (ok, Baptista and Hleb probably got more stick, but that’s about it). His time was up last summer, but he made the mistake to stay. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go.
Arsenal will go on, and will most likely do better next season than last. This means a genuine challenge for 2nd place at least. The title is a possibility but depends largely on the transfers.
Will Wenger stay? I think not.
Will Fabregas stay? He’s here till 2008, and IMO till 2009, then we’ll see what happens with Barcelona’s midfield. Expect Fabregas to be Barcelona’s target next season, expect Vieira to talk about Fabregas leaving, expect Henry to be asked if he’d like to see Fabregas at Camp Nou and expect Henry to say yes.
In hindsight, Henry leaving Arsenal is a good thing – it gets rid of the baggage Arsenal carried over from Highbury. The legacy of the Invincibles, of Vieira, of Adams, of Bergkamp and Henry. It clears the deck for a Fabregas-led Arsenal to storm the Premiership next season. It allows the new Arsenal to develop their own style. It gives RVP the responsibility he needs to lead Arsenal’s front line.
There’s a lot to look forward to for Arsenal – in the long run the sane Arsenal fans always expected to lose Henry, Wenger and Fabregas, and as Henry has left after an extra-long season of speculation, Fabregas and Wenger will leave too.
The challenge is to see if Arsenal can survive and still challenge for the title. It will be harder, but it won’t be impossible.
And yea, if the season started now (with Henry out of Arsenal), they’d still finish above Tottenham.
And he still should have left last summer. Think you guys would have gotten 16m for him then?
Cunt. Cunt, Cunt..No Joking…
As an Arsenal fan Id like to say yes, Henry was a buetiful p[layer, and in my eyes still the greatest striker in the game now, But Arsenal is not a one man team…After Viera left all us Gooners felt like we do now..’Shit, Now were Fucked” but look what happened then we were the first London side to get into the Champions League Final. This year with Henry injured for most of the year we did a lot better than last season when he was fit for the season..We still now have Rosicky, Walcott, Fabregas, Gilberto and a lot more..Plus we can now spend and buy a replacement for Ljunberg or Henry with the money from Thierry’s Transfer.
Arsenal we can still be a top 4 club and still beat Man, U, Chelsea and Liverpoool.
But Wenger will really have to spend now, If Wenger leaves we are fucked up, Fabregas has said once a big name player leaves like Henry that if Wenger leaves too He [Fabregas] will also leave, Then yes we are fucked..
But not now..
Also id like to say from every Gooner thnkyou Thierry Henry, We will alwys love you from the final goal at Highbury, to beating Wrighty’s record of goals. We will always remember you as Arsenal’s favourite Striker with Bergkamp and Wright to name a few..
Best of Luck with Barcalona,
From every Gooner
Hi Arsenal fan here – mate the sensible balanced thing I have read for the last two days. thanks
A good and sensible article. Thank you
As good as Thierry was for us we now have a real captain (Gilberto) and we can start playing as a team! I expect it to be a better season than last. Expect two strikers to be aquired.. one of which will also be able to play as a winger (Tevez/Babel). The other one a poacher (Huntelaar/Trezeguet/Anelka).
Osk
Great article man. Hopefully the Gooners would respond favorably to this.
i thought this article was well thought out for a Man U fan, but you really shouldnt comment on what you dont know in such certain terms. “If Wenger wants to extend his contract, he will do it this summer”. Wenger never negotiates a new contract until his old one is ending, he never has and never will. ‘If’ he signs a new contract it will be next summer or nearing the end of the season.
Ozi – fair enough – this was a spur-of-the-moment rant and some of it was personal opinion, and I did state in there that all I know of the situation is from 3 specific sources, nothing more.
Thanks for pointing that out.
Good article. Nice to read a balanced view from another club’s fan.
The only thing I would point out, is that Wenger has almost never signed a contract extension early (I can’t recall when he has).
He always waits for it to expire, and in fact has even worked beyond his previous contract’s expiry without yet having signed the new one.
Best article I’ve read on the Henry issue…well done!
I think henry has come out of this whole thing looking very shabby, he’s obviously not a man of his word, can’t be trusted & shouldn’t now be considered as an Arsenal legend.
He has turned his back on Arsenal, let down the fans & should be feeling totaly ashamed of his actions.
The King is dead…long live the King!
Other than the addition that Ozi made – Wenger always negotiates with less than 6 months of his contracts remaining, a good piece. Henry has been a legend, he’s left on as good terms as you can (take note Cashley) and should always get a good reception when he comes back. Time to move on.
Although fellow gooners should expect any loss next season to be “they’re really missing Henry now” and any win to be sensationalised as “who needs Thierry??”.
Arsene knows..
Thanks for your fairly honest, considered and non-provocative-for-the-sake-of-it words. I don’t agree with all of it, but it was a sensible, well written piece all the same. I’m glad you see the bright side of this whole deal, I see it too, there’s a bit of doom and gloom around at the moment but I think it’s foolish. I’m still really looking forward to this season.
Still, I’m really sad he’s gone, I wanted him to end his career here like Bergkamp and I think it would have been better for both parties in the long run, although maybe his position as captain and making friendly reminders about dipping into the transfer window ie Shaun Wright-Philips was becoming untenable. I just wish it didn’t end like this and it’s a sad day to see him leave Arsenal and English football.
And something about this transfer still doesn’t add up. I accept (reluctantly and sadly) Henry’s decision to leave, but I don’t accept the reasons he’s provided so far.
If Dein and Wenger were not the real reason why he left, we will never find out the real reasons. As one Era ends though another can start with our young Gunners with Fabregas leading the way.
I think we should try to purchase Tevez or Wright Phillips or Eto’o or maybe Deco.
Farewell Thierry Henry, You’ll never be forgotton
Go To http://www.livevideo.com/arsenalchannel If any one has arsenal; videos send them to me my email is kyle-fabregas4@hotmail.com
well damn this is tough as a american who choosed not to be a sellout become a Chelsea Man U Barcelona Real Mardrid fan i have to say damn we cant compete as 1 the worlds best teams? my whole choice of arsenal after watching world cup 06′ was because henry and 49 unbeaten i had no knowledge of the champions league and whatever now my heart has left arsenal so what the next step? we need to make a a offer to arsene he cant refuse, now what are our targets? id be happy with forwards like babel,defoe,owens,bent,saviola,shaun wright phillips,nigel reo coker, we have to make a move personally i beleive that adebayor is too inconsistent (id wake up at 430 am to watch arsenal)so yes this is a tough moment so so would be my starting 11
1.Alumnia (lehman is a hardheaded bastard)
2.Denilson (speed but short)
3.Toure*
4.Gallas*
5.Eboue*
6.Rosicky (a deadly fast winger)
7.Diaby (strong physical tall moderate speed)
8.Gilberto (strong exp. solid M/D)
9.Fabregas (a deadly fast winger)
10.Robin*
11.Walcott (speed overwheling JUST HIT THE NET!!)
* – solid starters
thats a basic 4-4-2
there young but deadly if working all cylinders
have ur say while i look at my 100$ arsenal
watch thinking how long till the premiership will begin
GO GUNNERS!! AMERICA LOVES U!!!
Good article. For me its ludicrous that Henry is leaving for 16m when you look at the fact that Bent will probably leave for a similar fee or maybe thats just because of the ridiculously inflated prices English players have.
Still, Henry was a class act. No doubt.
The Magnificientos’s gonna grobble everybody up!
V.Persie
Rosicky – Hleb
**Diaby** – Fabregas – Denilson
Really, who needs Henry? everything’s in place!
But still, farewell n good luck to him. show them who’s boss!
Wenger’s just trying to tell the board don’t mess around too much with proceedings and he’ll eventually sign that extension. It’ll be too damn hard to leave this team he started building just 2 years ago without seeing it peak.
I knows wenger..
Henry leaving Arsenal is a very, VERY sad day for English football, let alone a big loss for Arsenal…
But, Arsenal do have some very good youngsters coming through their academy, might get to see the stars of the future because of his departure…
Plus, you still have Van Persie & Adebayor – two good strikers. Then Bendtner knows he can prove himself this season. But still, I think a new striker should be high on Arsenal’s priority list.
Same old story for Arsenal….soon becoming a ‘selling club’
What they really need is some big signings, but i really cant see Wenger making any bids over 15 mill due to the lack of money.
Good article Ahmed. I think that along the lines of what you said alot will depend on how this season goes. If we are not succesful I will start to worry about Fab and Wenger. And i think if they leave there will be trouble.
it is a very sad time for Arsenal and English football. Henry was a fantastic player and one of a kind. in a way you could say it is goodas he might have started losing his legs and he had started to moan alot about the club. but he will no one will ever be able to fill his boots, he is unique.
We will always miss ya, Titi
Despite what a lot of people are saying about Thierry leaving means we can move on as a team, I still feel a lot of sadness that he’s gone. I hope that David Dein comes back to Arsenal along with a certain American and kicks the current board into touch. The likes of Edelman, Fiszman, Hill-Wood and Co are turning Arsenal into a laughing stock. I’d like to say good luck and a massive thank you to Thierry Henry. He will always be an Arsenal legend.
they shold have sold him last summer the would have goten 20 million easy, the 10 goals he scored didnt make much of a difference and all hes done in the last year at arsenal is create problems , with all due respect that is.
as a united i am relieved to see the threat of henry leave but dissapointed to be losing such a talent from the premiership.
Well done Ahmed, great article. Especially coming from a United fan!
Obviously i am gutted that Thierry is leaving, plus the uncertainty about Wenger is worrying. But its not all doom and gloom as the Media seem to be trying to suggest.
Until players start a mass exodus and Wenger SAYS he is leaving, there is no point in being too pesamistic. Who knows Henry leaving could inspire the team to prove everyone wrong and maybe win a trophy. Nobody can see the future, so we will just have to wait and see……
GOOD PC MAN.
GOOD LUCK TO TITI AND WE ALL KNOW IS NOT AN ARSENAL LOSS ONLY BT A LOSS TO THE WHOLE ENG GAME.
FOR ME I GOT A VERY GOOD GOODBYE(THE HEADER AGAINST MAN U) AND WHAT A GOODIE THAT WAS.
WE CANT REPLACE HIM,MEANT THAT, NOT IN ANOTHER LIFE.
GIVE ME BABBEL NOW AND WATCH THIS, WE HAD A GOOD GO WITHOUT
TITI.SO WATCH OUT FOR Rv PERSIE,ADEBAYOR,BENTNAR,THEO WALCOTT AND HOPEFULLY BABBEL AND WATCH THIS TEAM:
FABIANSKI
EBOUE TOURE GALLAS/DJUOROU CLICHE
GILBERTO(C) CECS
ROSICKY BABBEL/THEO/HLEB/REYES
R van PERSIE(the new messiah)
ADEBAYOR
BOY AM I EXCITED ABOUT THE COMING SEASON ALREADY
GOOD LUCK AGAIN TITI
NOW STEP UP BENTNAR,THEO,MERIDA,ADEBAYOR,REYES(IF HE WILL COME BACK),DENILSON.DONT 4GET RIO FERDINAND IS IN BIG DOODO NOW COS NOW HE WOULDNT KNOW WHO TO GO AFTA WHEN THEY PLAY US, THE BAGGAR.
GOOD LUCK TITI
LONG LIVE THE GOONER FAMILY
AM OUT
Wenger’s the man, i just hope he stays. I’m hoping that ‘the incredible sulk’ anelka comes to replace henry. Henry’s antics have been pathetic, and i have no more respect for him. He left because he wanted to but he should have been more straight forward. And comments like “I’ll be a Gunner for life” are inglorious. You wont be a gunner for life friend, you are a catalunyan from now on……….
All the same, thanx for everything………….
Plus lets not forget, there was a massive bustup between henry and thierry however much both tried to cover it up. Wenger was fuming at the mention of henry at a post match interview but he didnt say much. That was definitely a big factor……………….
I’m an Arsenal fan and the article echoes my sentiments exactly. Major props to you, Ahmed…
It’s sad to see him go, but – as our all-time leading goal scorer – 2 Premiership titles and 3 FA Cups in eight seasons is enough to say he’s done more than his fair share for the club. I can only be grateful and wish him the best…
As far as the future goes, it’s hard to be pessimistic so long as Wenger is still at the helm…His eye for promising young talent remains unrivalled..They definitely need two more strikers
arsenal will not make top four this seeson
Very good article,
i have to agree that the loss of Henry is the premiership’s loss, but not one that will cripple Arsenal. A fit RVP is definitely a pacy world class forward. Also, I believe Wenger has a lot of failth in Walcott to be the ‘new Henry’, as he has the pace and potential, he just needs seasons playing upfront (not on the wing). Arsenal should sign a predator for the meantime, such as Anelka or someone with prem experience and potential, e.g. Lita, Nugent or more expensive Martins. Some of the names mentoined (Tevez, Eto’o, etc.) are just wishful thinking.
Arsenal will face a real struggle if Fabregas leaves. Hleb, Rosicky will come good, but if Fabregas leaves, Arsenal will need to sign world class distributer in midfield.
Arsenal will come third next season.
Ahead of Liverpool.
So one shouldn’t “sell out” by choosing to support Chelsea, Man U, Real Madrid or Barcelona, but it’s okay to start supporting a team based on a 49-game unbeaten streak? Haha, that’s hilarious!
USA-Arsenal. Good to see that you took the time to decide who to support, finally settling on a small club like Arsenal. If there were more out there like you maybe other small clubs like Bayern or Liverpool would have more fans, and there would be fewer gloryhunters. Now why don’t you take another look at that sweet $100 Arsenal watch you wear with such pride and count the minutes until you understand the point I’m making.
Good post, but as a Man Utd fan I think it’s unfair, cause I don’t remember any of guners being nice and understanding towards us when Ruud left and Ronaldo had the World Cup problem. I was abused and insulted the whole summer and now when I want to get a revange I can’t, because I rememeber that we were in the same place last year…so I say to guners “you owe us one”.
Henry, Vieira, Anelka &A.Hole(theirs alot of egos there) put together couldnt influence a team more than Arsene Wenger. I challenge ANYONE to argue that claim, bcos, Wenger made these players great, he gave them the chance to shine, he bought them(apart from CUNTLEY) when most manager would overlook them, he gave them the chance to prove themselves, he helped them through anything and everything.
If look back at every player that has left Arsenal, not one man blamed Wenger, even Cuntley Hole didnt blame Wenger(Cashley blamed everyone included his great grandfather for the tapping up saga, BUT not himself).
If Wenger leaves, Arsenal wont be the same(as obvious as it might sound). They are known for the amazing football,which wenger implemented, bcos of Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have a world class training facility, a world class stadium, the best youngsters in Europe and the most attractive football team in England. Wengers decision on his future WONT depend on David Dein, they were good friends BUT they didnt agree with evrything, for example: Dein wanted Arsenal to leave North London and play their Home games at the new Wembley (thats a fact!), Wenger Strongly opposed this bcos a a team is recognised by a stadium, when you think of Old Trafford, Man U come to mind, When the nou camp is mentioned Barcelona pop up etc…Another example is that Dein wanted Stan “the Devil” Kroenke to takeover at Arsenal, we all know Wenger disagreed. So..Wengers decision will NOT be wffected by David Dein, Wenger is a respectable man and a legend not just at Arsenal But in football, if Wenger leaves it certainly wont be for Barcelona or Real MAdrid bcos he doesnt agree with the way the clubs are run, he likes to control the direction of his team, he signs the players and also he advices the board on needed improvements at the club, if he were to go to spain all this would change, at Real Madrid and Barcelona the chairman chooses which players to buy and who to get rid of. The only place Wenger would go to is Bayern Munich, bcos he has previously stated that if he were to ever leave Arsenal that is a club that interests him.
MY PREDICTION: I strongly believe Arsenal will win the league in 07/08, Wenger will still be at Arsenal in the summer of 08(whether its the managers job or the Director Of Football, we will wait and see).
Message to Ahmed Bilal: read this comment and let me know what you think.
Yo Taron, if you’re feeling miserable because you feel us gooners deserved this,and you think everyone feels bad for us now when they shouldnt be, go ahead. As I look at it, its not like we had a choice, because henry wanted to leave and forcing him to stay would have been worse. But none of us are worried because right now, Wenger is still staying, and there is a good chance he will stay, especially because he bought two more young players already. He wouldnt have done that if the coming season was going to be his last. And if Fabregas leaves, there’s denilson, and if he too leaves in the future, there will be somebody else………..
Hey Ahmed. Great article. I agree with you about almost everything except I think you can now get the gist of the feeling from most Gunners that, while Henry’s exit is a sad day for all of us, the real issue now is ‘What will Wenger do?’.
I think if that question can be answered you can answer all the other questions about Fabregas & the rest of the teams top stars. Fabregas has always said, like Henry, that his future at Arsenal is tied to whatever Wenger does. As a Gunner fan myself that, for me, is the REAL issue now. It sucks that we have to wait another year holding our breath & we’re gonna hear a whole new ‘Wenger saga’ for the new season to replace the whole ‘Henry saga’ in the media.
Every match expect to hear commentators talking about Wenger’s future when the camera pans to him & on every after match report expect the pundits & newsreaders at their desks pontificating & making snide remarks about Wenger’s ’embattled team’ going on without their ‘flagship’.
Ahmed, i remember in your 2006/2007 after action review of Arsenal’s season you mentioned that their biggest problem has been in the dressing room & executing Arsene’s plans on the pitch. I don’t know how Henry’s exit might affect the team now (some happy? some upset?). Care to comment?
P.S. How’s this for a scenario? 2008 Champion’s League Final rematch – Arsenal vs Barcelona in Moscow. Who would win? That’s the first fantasy i came up with when i heard the news. Any opinions?
Seriously,
the arsenal-henry-barcelona issue to me seems not very different to the man utd situation a season ago.
We were a team that was growing together and gaining experience. ronaldo, rooney, evra, vidic, fletcher, smith, saha, park were all at the pinnacle before the would reach the peak (except roo and ron- but their quality and SAF together prooved that they will perform at their best for a longer period than most players in football)
The great RVN left and the press went overboard saying that the SAF era has faded, the Man Utd dominance is over and we are a team stadily towards the decline and becoming a mid table outfit with two outstanding players in rooney and ronaldo who also we will not be able to hold on for long because of their desires for winning things.
Lets now come to arsenal.
The other outfit which has only matured together from the last two years and grown with the presence of exceptional talents like fabregas and van persie amongst others. Both defeating their age and showing exceptional maturity to carry the team on their backs at many times in the seasons gone by much like their united counterparts.
THe centre of the footballing outfit henry leaves (much like RVN or for that matter Keano would be more appropriate but anyways, thats not the point) and the press are having another set of feild days predicting the fall of arsenal footbal club and the chances of wenger leaving, subsequently fabregas leaving and so on. Am I the only 1 who sees the similarity???
So to let the air clear:
Arsenal as a club are not fading as a power in the league but this uncanny feeling is surfacing that the coming season might be their best in the last four years (they wont win the league though but may definately bag 2nd)
Wenger is not leaving arsenal and the journalists have ensured that even more. This is because he wlll now want to proove ever more that his team is not a bunch of wankers who will fade away due to the loss of a striker (however legendary the striker was)
Fabregas is going nowhere in the near future coz he realizes that arsenal are one of the few clubs in world football where he can make hinself a legend now that henry has left. he will now be their favourite son and will get to domnate proceeding on the field at such a young age. ANd ya even though i would like to deny it arsenal will win something and really soon
Finally, the killer instinct to proove themselve and definately a lesser number of injuries than this season will see them at least engulf liverpool in the league and the season is going to be an absolute cracker. Hopefully something like the 95/96 season with the same outcome.
CUNT – CUNT – CUNT ! ! ! ! ! !
BACK
Seriously Ahmed, look at last season weve managed to secure Fourth place which was the same position weve secured the season before WITH HENRY!! So the fact we havent been playing much with Henry this past season soften the blow abit. But still this isnt any ordinary player were talking about here its Henry. But weve managed to secure some important wins this season without Henry and should I remind you of our impressive Carling Cup form in which we got to the final by defeating Liverpool 6-3 In Anefield and defeating a full spurs team with a bunch of kids!! And not to mention Robin Van Persie’s outstanding form the first half of the season. Added to Ade’s OUTSTANDING work rate, Clichy’s amazing improvement, and Fabi’s well… Genious. Plus the comfort of having to rely on Toure and Gerbz to tighten up those spaces makes it a great team WITH OR WITHOUT Henry. All we need is an experienced striker in the form of Anelka and Owen for short term purposes so they wont impair Bendtner and Theo’s development, A full back that can play on both sides: Sagna, 2 young wingers/striker when needed: Babel & Drenthe who have been very impressive in the U-21 tournament. Add all these together and youve got a very good team that can seriously challenge any team for a place on top of the Premier League.
I think we have a very good team. + The fact Man u & Milan won titles without their “HEAVENLY STRIKER” softens the blow and makes me feel that we will recieve our first silverware in Emirates next season.
Henry was an iconic legend at arsenal,the engine to the train,no doubt that arsenal is a good team but without henry,their is no way the team can seriously contend for next years premiership title.And with teams like united,chelsea showing this season that there is no small trophy,and giing their all to all cups,i see another trophyless season for wengers boys.They play beautiful football but they now lack a match winner at the club.Fabregas and rosicky are good at midfield but don’t expect them to win matches for arsenal like ronaldo did for united and lampard for chelsea.They may just manage to beat tottenham for fourth but this time it will be a close fight right from the start.You are fooling yorself gunners if you think henry’s departure will not hurt your clubs performance.
TBB you are worng arsenal will fail miserably next season they wil not tuch the scouse
Hmmm… Good article I shud say. That too comin from a ManU fan.
But yes.. all said and done…. Arsenal can obviously survive post-henry and I think AW has built a good batallion for that. However,
1. Team needs to get over TH14 asap n not be awed by his exit! We hv enuf talent n AW wud do his best to fill the void of TH
2. Board shud get their senses right and accept facts as thy are… n not be as obsolete as ‘we dont need foreign money n takeovers’ etc
3. AW shud shud remain…. not that thr arnt better managers apart frm him, but thn he’s built this new look side and shud be hr to complete his plans. His exodus will prompt many more exits.
~Gunner fr life
MKHAMMER – Voronin: have you seen this guy play?
Liverpool seem like a club with much unrest, and are increasingly becoming a one-trick (Albeit a rather special European habit) pony.
This comes from a southampton fan who would happily have that trick for his team. I just think Arsenal have more class and if Gallas/Toure form an understanding for next season, they will concede very few goals.
Thanks for the article,spoken like a true football fan!
Im an Arsenal Fan and find myself puzzled and confused with the events this season…up stairs in the board room. It seems we create our own problems,watching the days unfold has been strange and received with mixed feelings.
I have the greatest level of love and respect for Thierry,he made his decision and he has to live with it both as a player and as a man,good Luck to him.
Overall i feel football seems to have become such big business with Clubs gaining more money and power, yet the real people that matter seem to have been forgotten…us the fans.
Take a look at this squad and tell me whats wrong with it.
1.Almunia
2.Eboue
3.Glichy
4.Gallas
5.Toure
6.Gilberto(cp)
7.Hleb
8.Fabregas
9.Van persie(super Kick)
10.Adebayor
11.Rosicky
SUBSTITUTE
Senderos
Walcott
Fabianski
Ilunberg
Hoyte
Baptista
Djourou
Flamini
….All i can say is that am very happy to see many Gooners still have hope in their team.
Nice one manu,not trying to diss arsenal but they need a famous five make over,this team is as good as any other middle table premiership side.Spurs, bolton and everton now have a real chance at getting to the champions league next season.A year ago we saw AW get outplayed by reijkard at the finals and his come back has been nothing but awful,now reijkard has henry,wengers best player,I think the professor has lost touch with the dynamics of modern football.After his contract terminares next season I think he should take a few years off.
Manu – Jens Lehmann is staying this season and he’llbe at one of his best forms cuz there is a challenge between him and 2 other goal keepers in germany for the N.1 spot in the euros. Last time that happened we completed 10 games without conceeding a goal in the champions league. + the great form of Almunia and the determination of the young prospect fabianski, willkeep jens on his toes next season. He had his downs but should I remind you of that magnificent 89th minute save in old trafford with a shot by ole solkjaer (sry bout spelling)
in defence toure and gallas are two great defender that any striker may fear facing but they are amazing defenders ON THE GROUND. theyre not that tall compared to drogba and crouchy thats what we need in our defence next year. A tall figure that is amazing in the air and not bad on the ground either. You have him in the form of vidic, chelsea have him in the form of carvalho I mean even spurs have him in the form of dawson!! I mean senedros and djorou can both be put in that catagory but if a tall 22 year old defender faces crouch or drogba, who do u think will be the better man. And our fullbacks are amazing and developing quickly but we just need some cover for them.
midfield is probably the most area im comfortable with, just needs a few improvements. We have Gerbz the invisibale wall, cesc the amazing dead ball specialsit, rosicky amazing player who gets in the right crosses at the right time. All we need is a natural winger with an eye for goal like a pires. Thats what weve missed this season. The midfielder that gets double figures for his team, some one you can rely one when the strikers havent been great like a ronaldo.
In attack… I do have fears. Henry scored 30 goals in the premier league alone once, and assisting 21 others.. + weve lost baptista and aliadiere. So in attack we have to rely on Ade, RVP, Theo and bendtner. RVP is the player im most satisfied with. Ade misses eaaaaaaassyyyyyy chances, Theo and Bendtner are 18 and havent scored a goal in top level. So we should buy at least 2 forwards. My money is on babel and anelka. And if we score half of the chances we create….. we’ll have an amazing amount of goals.
I apologize if I wrote a little too much….