Who needs Henry when we’ve got Van Persie and Adebayor 4 January, 2007
Posted by lasagnechef in Arsenal News, Transfers.trackback
It’s great news that Thierry Henry has made a successful return after his long spell out on the sidelines, he scored in his comeback game and will be looking to add many more. The captain says he is feeling the benefits of taking the break, he admits it was a mistake to try and play through the injury at the start of he season and he really should of taken some time out then. Now he’s “fresh” and hopefully he’ll make up on the games he missed out on by scoring lot of goals this season. If Henry wants to keep his Golden Boot his going to have to find a bit of form, he’s not even in the top 10 and Drogba is leading the way with 13 Premiership goals.
In Thierry’s absence we’ve done very well in the goal department, Robin has 12, Gilberto is level with Henry on 8, Ade has 7 and Flamini has come up with 4. When Henry left the team I think it helped Adebayor and Van Persie alot, not only were they pretty much guaranteed a place but they got alot more of the ball: When Titi is in the team every play goes through him. Without Henry they ball was spread evenly and Fabregas, Van Persie, Adebayor, Hleb etc got to do a great deal more.
I was never Ade’s biggest fan but he’s been a huge hit for us this season. Before I hoped he never played but now I truly believe we have a bit of a selection problem. Also Van Persie has been having a great season, I’ve always liked the Dutchman but he’s improved alot this season and has become alot less selfish, which was his main problem last year. Hopefully the return of the world’s best striker doesn’t ruin any of their form but it does mean we’ve now got three excellent strikers if one gets injured or whatever. It’s also a great option to have a class striker on the bench to change things when games aren’t going to plan.
Thierry has praised the duo that replaced him in his absence, they scored 7 goals together in the time Henry was out and the skipper has been telling arsenal.com how proud he is:
“I am really pleased for Manu Adebayor, he was criticised for a lack of goals or a lack of commitment or whatever when he arrived but it always takes time to settle in and what he is doing at the moment is amazing. Robin too. He is playing as a centre forward and is showing he can score goals. If his head is right he can be in the years to come one of the best ever in the Premiership. He is going that way and it would be good for him to finish as our top scorer. That’s why when the penalty was given against Charlton I thought it would be nice for him to score in the game and I gave him the ball. I don’t mind him scoring more than me, goals don’t matter so much for me. If they did I wouldn’t have given him the ball for the penalty.
I have always said I’m not a ‘natural-born killer’ in front of goal. If I have to give a ball I will try to do that. I used to get hammered about that in my first two or three years because people said I wasn’t a ‘killer’ but if you look at my stats they are good.
I don’t think you should compare them [Bergkamp and Van Persie]. Bergkamp was Bergkamp and Van Persie will be Van Persie. Robin is already getting to that level, he is doing it already in the Dutch national team and for Arsenal. I think it’s up to him how far he is going to go. I never compare players like that, Dennis was special and we want Robin to be himself and make his name.”
Some nice words from Thierry there, I’m sure Ade and Robin will appreciate that. It would be weird if Robin finished top scorer for Arsenal, we’re so used to it being Henry it would be a nice change to see Robin get some goals. I think he’s suspended for the FA Cup game, I’ll verify that in the week. Fabregas is suspended though after picking up that silly yellow card in Sheffield. There’s talk that there could be a weak side out but there’s going to have to be if we’ve got all these injuries and suspensions. Henry should start, he targeted this as his comeback game and I still think he will play, he needs the games to get back into the swing of things and pick up some form.
Our third choice right-back Justin Hoyte scored his first Arsenal goal on Tuesday night and he’s told us how he’s not worried about the return of Eboue and Lauren:
“Lauren’s return is good for the team. There are three players that play in that position and it keeps us all on our toes. Eboue’s injured at the moment and I’ve stepped in and I’m playing well but Manu was playing fantastically well when he was playing. As a player you approach it that you’ve got to work hard in training and play well on the pitch, and if you’re doing well, and playing well, you’ll stay in the team. In my youth team days I used to be a striker so I just tried to get the best contact possible and then I checked again just to make sure it went in. You can see from my celebration how much it meant to me and I don’t score often so I thought I might as well have a little dance. I’d like to make as many appearances as I can and as far as winning goes I think the Club can win everything possible. That’s what I believe. I think we go into every game believing we can win it, so why can’t we win all the trophies?”
To be fair, Justin isn’t really going to challenge the others for that first team place just yet but I think in time he’ll have a shot. I think he’s got a bright future ahead of him and it’s nice to have an English player for once.
It is January so I suppose there should be a bit of transfer news. Falkirk boss John Hughes is still waiting to find out what’s happening with Anthony Stokes. Gianluigi Buffon‘s agent has said he will be allowed to leave Serie B if he wants to. Birmingham are apparently close to signing Seb Larsson permanently. And finally, Marseille’s Franck Ribery says he’ll need alot of persuading to leave France.
Thanks for reading.
Yeah its nice to have 3 forwards knocking in the goals and playing well. Would be nicer if we had 4. Aliadiere doest look to have it in him to be the fourth. I was hoping Baptista could be, and maybe he still can. It was his best position for Sevilla and id like to see him get a run up front when he gets back from injury.
im sure the headline was just to grab peoples attention as the content didnt include any arguments as to why we dont need henry – but just to make sure – consistantly 30+ goal a season striker, who needs henry? everyone needs henry
Bootoo, you are spot on, every club in the world needs, could do with a Thierry Henry.
I think his abscence will allow Wenger to drop him with confidence and use him correctly. Henry can be subbed during a game.
Wenger also needs to consider if we will play with two strikers or a 4 5 1, it is all well and good having three strikers on form, but if you only play one of them, you have two going stale.
Players can now get injured/ suspended and we will be OK. We now just need a bit of pace in midfield.
Bootoo you are spot on my friend
[...] van Persie and Adebayor have been excellent this season Thierry possibly is not needed. For example here. Now I am not creating a feud with The Cannon, his blogs are usually excellent but the title is [...]
For fucks sake I’m not saying we should get rid of Henry. Read the first bit of the post. Ah.
Wengers comments on our injuries. Ill be glad when we can have a full squad to choose from for once.
“The news is quite good at the moment,” “We have no new injuries from the Charlton game and we have Eboue available for Saturday.
“Julio Baptista might come back too and William Gallas is very close [to a return]. The news of Theo Walcott’s back is very good. He and Gallas are possibles for the Carling Cup [on Tuesday].
“Lauren is ready to play. He is looking from week to week better and better in training. Emmanuel Adebayor should be back for the Blackburn game.”
Freddie Ljungberg is also nearing full fitness while Abou Diaby took part in his first full training session on Thursday since suffering a fractured and dislocated ankle last May.
The whole post is about how it’s great that we have Henry, plus two great strikers as well. Hate it when people say I make headlines up to get hits. It’s not as if I’ve got loads of adverts or something I’m trying to get people to see. And why should I have to answer why I have chosen that title?
The reason the content of the post isn’t anything to do with why we should get rid of Henry is becasue that is not what the post is about.
Ah chef, your title finally set off my rant after reading some garbage in some forums
So my apologies there, as mentioned in my blog I respect your entriesm they are top draw.
It’s cool, just don’t want people thinking I want to get rid of Thierry Henry! Or that I’m trying to cheat people into looking at my page or whatever nonsence.
I don’t think that, I love Thierry too.
I say edit the title of the page! We all love Henry.
Great news about the injuries coming through. Eboue back on Saturday. Julio may be fit too. Theo and Gallas looking good for the Carling Cup. Lauren ready and raring to play and Fred getting very close to fitness (for now). Meanwhile Diaby has completed his first proper training session with the team, which the boss said was ‘very positive!
If we could keep the bulk of the squad fit for the rest of the season, then the real potential of this squad will be revealed.
Morgan has gotten his three game ban after the ref said had he seen it, he would have sent him off. Bit late now. Instead van Persie got annoyed, got booked and is now suspended… The Sheffield United chairman’s logic seems to be that cause Morgan had been punched and elbowed in previous weeks, he should have been let off. Hhm. That would be a great logic. Does that mean Reyes can shoot Gary Neville if Madrid draw United in the Champions League?
Minor point. There is not such word as ‘alot’. It should be ‘a lot’. Good blog though. As you say, things are looking pretty positive in the striking department
Before anyone jumps down my throat for being a pedantic bastard, I meant ‘no* such word’. Glad Morgan got his deserved 3 game ban as well, even if Sky didn’t repeat it endlessly.
Well done Lasagnechef you got it spot on. Don’t change the title ..the meaning is obvious. It is called ‘irony’ the English are more famous for it than they are for ‘grit’. I’m sure you will still be on TH’s Christmas card list.
A combination of Henry and one of Adebayor/Persie will help us win more games than Adebayor and Persie. Am I right?
I don’t want to be plugging myself but this is exactly what I meant in my entry from a while ago.
I really am concerned now, someone seached “Robin Van Persie has Big Cock” and found my site yesterday, I don’t recall writing anything about Robins penis or how ‘big’ it might be.
Gallas is nearly back
:):)
Hey romfordgooner, where did that comment come from?
It’s hard to criticise Van Persie and Adebayor’s partnership as better or worse than Henry and one or either. It’s an alternative. They did well in their run together and proves we are not totally dependent on Henry. Beating Spurs, Wigan and Blackburn while getting a decent result at Chelsea and dealing with Porto… they’re all fine results. There have been times when I think too many players have tried to find Henry on the pitch when other players are in better positions. Realising that while he is beyond amazing, there are other excellent options can only be a good thing for the team.
Plus moaning about the use of ‘alot’ is very pedantic.
Well said, John
£2.7 million for Stokes? If that is true (which I am dubious about), then it’s a good piece of business considering the long waiting line of strikers at Arsenal.
It also demonstrates why the transfer window is so daft. Charlton are desperate and have been given cash to spend. So they splurge way too much on a 17 year old. Now the gamble may work. If he scores a few goals and they get relegated, chances are they’ll sell him for a profit so I hope we insert a sell-on clause. But if he struggles and they get relegated…
Saw a daft comment on another blog on why Joe O’Cearruil hasn’t much of a future at Arsenal as we signed him from Watford reserves… or rather when they released him. Ian Wright anybody?! My countryman Kevin Doyle has gone from Cork City to Reading and had 2 great seasons (though next year will be his big test)… Best to judge O’Cearruil on what he does now and in the future, not on the potential bad judgement of other football teams.
I had so much doubts about Adebayor and now he is one of the most Arsenal players, together with Gilberto, Kolo Toure and Fabregas. Initially I though that such a player would need a decade to adopt to Arsenal`s type of football but I was arong, and I am happy about it.
Also, Henry`s absence was good for two things: to give both of them more playing time and also score goals which boosts confidence always.
I’m a Gunners’ fan myself.
It’s rather strange I guess, to see others appearing more and more often on the scoresheet apart from dear Henry. Especially Gilberto!
Anyhow, it’s good to have Henry back all the same. At least there will be some competition for places now.
Jens
Eboue Toure Senderos Clichy
Hleb Flamini Gilberto Rosicky
Henry Van Persie
Subs: Almunia, Denilson, Baptista, Djourou, Hoyte
Lauren is definitely not in the squad. Baptisa definitlye is. And Robin definitely is NOT suspended so don’t mind Sky Sports or Liverpool FC. There’s a very good chance that Henry will be alone up front with Robin dropping onto the wing. I’m sure we’ll play a full-strength team. And I’m certain we’ll play a different but still strong team on Tuesday with Theo, Baptista, Gallas, Djorou and Denilson playing.
what comment arsenalist?
playing RVP on the wing will be a mistake in my mind. I reckon our midfield can match Liverpools although we’re missing Cesc. RVP will be miles more dangerous upffront with Titi