So Henry's headed for Barcelona, in what is probably the transfer with the biggest possible implications yet this summer (mind the yet, let's see if if Kaka wears the read and black of Milan next season, or the whites of Real). Am I surprised? Truly speaking, all the indicators that came from the Gunners' camp last season pointed to a pointed to a change in guard there. David Dein resigned, reportedly because of him favouring a takeover by an American Billionaire, something the boardroom didn't approve of. Arsenal had clearly changed from a team that was always in the fray for titles, to an also-ran squad. Their performances over the past three seasons were regularly dipping, with a fourth place finish in the League and no silverware for the second season in succession. All that they have to show for the past three seasons was an FA Cup win over a Manchester United team that did everything right in the final, except for putting the ball in the goal, and an appearance at the Champions League final last season, where they lost to Henry's new teammates.
All you Arsenal fans, forgive Henry, he did what he had to do. Wenger's regime at Arsenal is all but in shackles, and his future at Arsenal uncertain. Henry loved Arsenal, he loved to play for them, he loved to score for them, and he loved to win with them. But, sadly, Arsenal aren't anymore the team that they once were. They are no longer the Invincibles that went an enitre Premier League season without losing a game. Patrick Vieira left, so did Robert Pires. Bergkamp's gone too, and Ashley Cole joined bitter rivals Chelsea. And Arsenal had to let Henry go, too. If they objected to his desire to leave, the relationship between the club and their talisman could have soured. And Henry could still have left next season using the new FIFA ruling which allows players over the age of 26 with two years left on their contracts to buy out the rest of it. That way, Barca could have payed Henry to do that, and that would have been less financially beneficial for a club that is already drowned in debts that came with their new state-of-the-art stadium.
Therein lies Arsenal's true woes. With United, Chelsea, Barca, Real and all other major clubs of Europe having the cash to bring in top players, Arsenal is forced to rely upon the younger talents. They did bring in Rosicky last year, but, alas, he isn't a player that can hold up an entire team, something Henry did post Vieira. They do have some quality players in the form of Fabregas, van Persie and Walcott, but these youngsters could have done so much more if they had some all-time greats along with them, and then take over the reins for the later years. Let's see how much of the 24 million euros does Arsenal spend on bringing in players, for that would truly show what situation the club is in at the moment.
As for Barcelona, they are playing a risky game here. An attacking lineup of Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry and Messi sounds great, but honestly, it could be a coaches headache. Will Herny bring them back the Spanish League, which should have been there's but for their slip-ups every now and then during the middle and later phases of the season? Or is this going to be another Galacticos blow up a la Real style? See what problems too many top quality players at the same positions brought at Stamford Bridge, and you would realize what I'm Talking about. Barca have the luck that their manager, a Dutch legend from the times of their dominance in the 70s, uses his attacking 4-3-3 lineup, which would at least allow three of their stars to start, but who would he leave out? Or would he risk playing one of them in midfield, which could risk them being unmanned there during counter-attacks. Does Barca, who scored more times in Spain than any other team last season, really need another regular goal-scorer? All the questions this transfer poses us with cannot, unfortunately, be answered by us, but only by them, and only next season, when all the drama would unfold. Till then, let's just raise a toast to Henry, and wish him all the best for his time in Spain.
All you Arsenal fans, forgive Henry, he did what he had to do. Wenger's regime at Arsenal is all but in shackles, and his future at Arsenal uncertain. Henry loved Arsenal, he loved to play for them, he loved to score for them, and he loved to win with them. But, sadly, Arsenal aren't anymore the team that they once were. They are no longer the Invincibles that went an enitre Premier League season without losing a game. Patrick Vieira left, so did Robert Pires. Bergkamp's gone too, and Ashley Cole joined bitter rivals Chelsea. And Arsenal had to let Henry go, too. If they objected to his desire to leave, the relationship between the club and their talisman could have soured. And Henry could still have left next season using the new FIFA ruling which allows players over the age of 26 with two years left on their contracts to buy out the rest of it. That way, Barca could have payed Henry to do that, and that would have been less financially beneficial for a club that is already drowned in debts that came with their new state-of-the-art stadium.
Therein lies Arsenal's true woes. With United, Chelsea, Barca, Real and all other major clubs of Europe having the cash to bring in top players, Arsenal is forced to rely upon the younger talents. They did bring in Rosicky last year, but, alas, he isn't a player that can hold up an entire team, something Henry did post Vieira. They do have some quality players in the form of Fabregas, van Persie and Walcott, but these youngsters could have done so much more if they had some all-time greats along with them, and then take over the reins for the later years. Let's see how much of the 24 million euros does Arsenal spend on bringing in players, for that would truly show what situation the club is in at the moment.
As for Barcelona, they are playing a risky game here. An attacking lineup of Ronaldinho, Eto'o, Henry and Messi sounds great, but honestly, it could be a coaches headache. Will Herny bring them back the Spanish League, which should have been there's but for their slip-ups every now and then during the middle and later phases of the season? Or is this going to be another Galacticos blow up a la Real style? See what problems too many top quality players at the same positions brought at Stamford Bridge, and you would realize what I'm Talking about. Barca have the luck that their manager, a Dutch legend from the times of their dominance in the 70s, uses his attacking 4-3-3 lineup, which would at least allow three of their stars to start, but who would he leave out? Or would he risk playing one of them in midfield, which could risk them being unmanned there during counter-attacks. Does Barca, who scored more times in Spain than any other team last season, really need another regular goal-scorer? All the questions this transfer poses us with cannot, unfortunately, be answered by us, but only by them, and only next season, when all the drama would unfold. Till then, let's just raise a toast to Henry, and wish him all the best for his time in Spain.
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