Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson expects Arsenal to
be a better team next season without talisman Thierry Henry.
Henry's departure to Barcelona has led to predictions of Arsene
Wenger's side struggling for inspiration, but Ferguson feels it
could have the opposite effect.
Arsenal have not finished outside the top four of the Premier
League since Wenger was appointed in 1996 and Ferguson believes
they will be in the top four along with United. "They'll be in the
top four," said Ferguson on Sky Sports News. "I'm more convinced
they will be in the top four without Thierry Henry. "I just thought
it was time for him to go. Arsene Wenger knew that, and I think
they'll do better."
Wenger is continuing preparations for the post-Henry era by
fielding a strong line-up against Barnet in a friendly at the
weekend. "It could be a very strong team at Barnet," Wenger told
www.Arsenal.com. "Basically the players that are back in training
are available, so you could see Kolo Toure, Manuel Almunia, Gael
Clichy, Mathieu Flamini, Denilson, Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie
and Emmanuel Adebayor.
"They are all likely to be included so it should be a very familiar
side." Wenger has just completed the signing of France Under-21
defender Bacary Sagna from Auxerre, his fourth signing of the
summer. "We've been very impressed by him," said club scout Gilles
Grimandi. "We've watched him both playing for Auxerre and the
under-21 team and scouted him over more than 40 games."
