http://www.arsenal.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=70684
You wont win anything with kids.' Those were the words famously
spoken by one Alan Hansen before Manchester united stormed to a
league championship.
I am as shocked as every other Arsenal fan that Henry has seemingly
moved to Barcelona after 3 years of speculation, but all is not
lost.
I'd like to refer you to Tim Stillman's series of articles
exploring the ability and potential of some of Arsenal's young
guns.
Now, I'm not saying that Arsenal can or will win the Premiership
next season, but Arsenal are far from a spent force.
A sense of panic seems to have set in already that Arsenal will
loose their grip on their Champions League place, but those people
couldn't be more wrong.
Arsenal will miss Henry, there is no doubt about that. it doesn't
matter who you sign, when you sell a player like Henry, you miss
them.
However, look at Manchester United. They sold Van Nistlerooy last
summer. A man who has scored countless goals for them over the last
few years. What happened at the end of the following season? They
won the Premiership.
Now, as I said, Arsenal will miss Thierry (if he has indeed signed
for Barca), but look at some of the players Arsenal have in
waiting.
Van Persie. Without a doubt he is one of the most exciting young
players in world football. It's been said by several of his team
mates that he is the most skilful player at Arsenal. He has shown
in the season just past that he has a lethal finish on him as well
as aerial power, and a lethal left peg. He can score 25 goals in a
season.
Adebayor. This young man has been compared to Kanu by
many-a-pundit, but someone on our forum came up with a far better
comparison earlier in the year - Drogba. He never stops working for
the team, great power, prepared to run a people, he's a complete
pest for defenders and shows a great touch for a big man. He'll
score more and more as he matures.
Fabregas. He's the daddy at Arsenal now. The sale of Henry seems to
condem Arsenal to another season of transition, and it'll be the
final step towards building the next generation around this young
man. He has everything other than goals in his locker. With a bit
more luck he will get many more goals next season and he's not one
to shy away from a challenge. He'll step up and take a lot of
responsibility next season.
Theo Walcott. The similarities between Thierry and this boy are
unbelievable. With a bit more work we will see a fantastic striker.
He suffered from a shoulder injury most of last season and Wenger
himself said that after the injury we only saw 50% of what walcott
can do.
Denilson. '50% Rosicky, 50% Gilberto,' the words of Arsene Wenger.
He showed last season that he has the skill in his locker, a bite
in the tackle and an eye for a pass. He has already ran Spurs'
midfield ragged, and contributed greatly in his 2 appearances
against Chelsea this season. He'll be a force in midfield for years
to come.
Diaby. This boy needs no introduction. He has already bossed
Chelsea's superstars, tore Zokora a new hole, and showed a
versatility that the last midfielder Arsenal had in this mould
(Vieira) didn't. He's played on both wings, in a holding midfield
role, an attacking midfield role and as a second striker.
I could go on with players like Bendtder, Vela, Djourou, Clichy,
Hoyte and Traore but I think you all know what these players are
about.
Instead I want to look at something that most of us know, but don't
want to accept - that Arsenal's current players play better
individually when Henry is not on the pitch.
When Henry is playing there is immense pressure on players to do
things his way. Pass the ball when he wants it, run where he wants
and play to his strengths.
When he isn't playing players like Cesc Fabregas, Van Persie and
Adebayor play with a freedom they don't otherwise have.
That said, we will miss him and we will have to replace him
somehow.
I donno whether nxt season
without Henry may be a blessing in disguise or not even a
blessing...
