Henry had to go, for his sake and that of Arsenal’s future.
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Let’s get one thing out of the way right now. Henry isn’t as good as most people seem to think. If you start holding your breath waiting for “He’s actually waaaaay better”, you’ll turn so blue you’d make Bernard Manning sit up in shock…which really would take something.

There’s no doubting Henry is an amazingly talented footballer and that any manager or supporter would want him in their side, including me, but the best player in the world? I’m yet to be convinced.

You see I’m of the opinion that being the best isn’t about what you can do, it’s about what you achieve. If you get my meaning. What I’m saying is that you can have all the talent in the world but if you can’t produce the goods when it’s needed most then what’s the point? My favourite player of all time, Zidane, didn’t just have the most unbelievable skill and technique, he scored goals in the biggest games. That sublime left footed volley in the Champions League final, those two headers against Brazil in the World Cup Final, these moments are what set him apart from the rest of the elite. The same can be said for Maradona, Platini, Cruyff, Pele..etc

Monsieur Henry has had no such defining moments. He’s done some incredible things on the pitch, scored some amazing goals but whenever he’s stepped out on the biggest stages there’s been a distinct lack of va-va-voom. He was ineffective in Arsenal’s big euro night and played only a minor part in France’s run to the final in Germany last year.

Does this mean he’s not as talented as we all believed when we’ve drooled over his antics in the Premiership? No it certainly doesn’t. The only thing Henry lacks is that little mental edge that pushes him to the next level.

At Italia ‘90 Paul Gascoigne wept like a little girl when he received the yellow card that would keep him out of the final. Gazza fell to pieces and England failed to go through anyway. When Roy Keane picked up the card that kept him from the 1999 Champions League Final he gritted his teeth and dragged his team kicking and screaming past Juventus with a display that can only be described as heroic. There was a time when such a display would demand the sacrificing of many farm yard animals.

If Henry had but an ounce of Keane’s mental strength we would have a player who could lay claim to being not just one of the best today but perhaps ever. I see a few main reasons why he hasn’t hit this level and just why his move the Barcelona could be the cure.

When Arsenal were winning titles Henry was part of a great team, full of experience, full of talent, full of winners. He was simply asked to do what he does best, which is terrorising opposition defences. Old stalwarts such as Adams, Keown, Seaman and Campbell shored things up at the back, Vieira, Parlour and Silva did the hard work in the middle, Pires and Ljungberg ran the wings, Bergkamp provided the touch of creative class and even Kanu had his moments. As soon as these teams started to disintegrate, more and more the players and fans looked to the Frenchman to provide the inspiration. The team was built around him and making him captain was a sign of just how integral he had become, a little too integral. When Thierry played well and scored Arsenal won, when he didn’t they struggled. Now every team has it’s stars players but when you become so over-relient on one man it’s a sign that the balance isn’t right.

Because he’s so good you got the feeling that his younger team-mates were only too willing to leave it all up to their captain. Fear not, Thierry is here, he will save the day, hurrah! That’s a lot of pressure for a man prone to stereotypical French moods of indifference. The bigger the game, the greater the pressure, the higher the expectations. Too many times has one of the most talented footballers I’ve ever seen gone missing in European games, no more so than the Champion’s League Final when he was joined in obscurity by another who has a tendency not to go missing on show night, Mr Ronaldhino.

For France Thierry was no longer the big man, Zidane was undoubtedly the star attraction and with plenty more big names sharing the limelight the former Arsenal striker was overshadowed. Not used to competing to have his brilliance recognised we’ve rarely seen just how devastating he can be on the international stage.

The switch to Barcelona could prove the best move for all concerned. It will take the pressure off Henry to provide all the magic, the player himself will be playing and training on a daily basis with others of his own ilk, if not even ilkier (I know that’s not a word before someone points it out). This should give him a little more freedom to express himself, though the pressure at the Camp Nou weighs heavy on the shoulders of all players at least he’ll have others to share the load. Frank Rijkaard has a fantastic new edition to his squad and if he can retain Samuel Eto’o then Barca will lay claim to the most potent strikeforce in the world. Henry, Messi, Ronaldhino and Eto’o? My mouth is watering at the very thought.

From Arsenal’s point of view it looks like they’ve been handed the short end of the stick. A measly £16m for a player who could have fetched 3 or 4 times that a few years ago, the only proven goal scorer they have and their captain. It’s surely all down hill from here. I’m not so sure.
What Wenger can now do is start to build a team from scratch. Building around one individual can be restrictive, focusing too much on one player can stunt the growth of others. When Henry did play last season you felt others deferred responsibility to him, when he didn’t play he was used as the excuse for under performing. That excuse is gone now, Arsenal’s youngsters no longer have their safety blanket to cling to and this season we’ll see what they’re really made of. Fabregas will continue to improve, Van Persie is primed to take a central role in attack, Rosicky has had enough time to settle in, Adebayor has shown glimpses of how effective he can be, Walcott should become a more regular feature. The problem with the coming season is the lack of an experienced leader. Silva did his best to fill this role in the middle of the park but as well as he performed last season and despite the numerous times he saved Arsenal last I think they need some who can wield a greater influence. Whether he’ll emerge from within or have to brought we can only wait and see.

Don’t expect Arsenal to challenge for the title or make great waves in Europe because this looks like a real transitional period, which could stretch to a few seasons if Wenger goes, but do expect a lot of individual improvement. Don’t be surprised if they do make some waves though, I know I’m standing on both sides of the fence here, which is a tad uncomfortable, but without knowing who will be brought in before August or if Wenger will still be in charge makes it tough to judge.

What I do know is that Arsenal have the chance of a fresh start, a chance to build a new team that doesn’t rely on any one player. These are exciting times for Arsenal and its fans. Don’t mourn the loss of Henry rather celebrate what he helped the club to achieve and wish him well.

“If we don’t change direction soon, we’ll end up where we’re going.”

Arsenal have been going nowhere with the unsettled Henry in tow, I think this change of direction is exactly what they need.

This entry was posted on 4:36pm Thursday, June 28th, 2007 at 4:36 pm and is filed under Football, Sportsbook. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. By commenting on this site you agree to abide by our terms and conditions.

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