The Henry Dilemma
Jun 7th, 2007 by 'holic
I really wanted to avoid any more comment on the Henry situation. It is becoming impossible though with Bobby and Cesc adding fuel to the fire in the last couple of days.
Now Thierry has publically pronounced on the Dein departure, although in fairness much of the interview reads as though he is preparing for another season at the Grove.
I am as heartily sick as everybody else of the current feeding frenzy but remain fairly open-minded about the outcome. Before I disappear under a barrage of indignation let me clarify that statement.
There is no question that the season just ended was Titi’s least memorable in an Arsenal shirt. Denied a close-season break he looked a shadow of the player we know him to be.
Around Christmas Wenger decided enough was enough and instructed his captain to take a break in much the same way as he had dealt with Tony Adams in 1997/8. Adams appetite had gone but he returned to lift two more doubles.
Henry’s body finally succumbed to the burn-out inflicted by a punishing schedule as Arsenal departed the Champions League and at long last he is getting the rest he so badly needs.
So what is behind the current unrest? Mischievous theories abound, and warrant little further consideration by me. I do however believe, and this is purely my opinion and not something I will pass off falsely as ‘inside info’, that Wenger will scrutinize Henry’s stats when pre-season training restarts. If there is evidence that the great man has lost a yard of pace, an inch of spring, or even just something as intangible as his enthusiasm for Arsenal, then I do not think it is out of the question that player and manager will agree on a parting of the ways.
The situation has arisen before and Patrick Vieira, to much astonishment, became an ex-Gunner. Much will depend on Wenger finding an alternative and once again adjusting the teams style as he had to when other big names departed.
Of course Thierry may return refreshed, fit as a flea, and all will be well. There can be no question that is what we all really want. Until then I will try to avoid further comment on wild and unsubstantiated speculation. See you in July Titi?
4 Responses to “The Henry Dilemma”
I doubt Wenger would have risked Henry in the PSV game if he had lost faith in his abilities. Which is what makes me think Wenger will not sell him. You could be right, of course, that pre-season will probably make up Wenger’s mind, but with no replacement in sight, its too huge a risk to sell Henry now.
He’s staying, of that there is no doubt in my mind. It’s comes with the territory of having the best striker in the world that everyone wants him and in the current money flooded game we should be prepared for better offers to be put in front of Thierry and our other superstar quality signings every summer. Some will leave and be hit by the arsenal curse but those that stay will help turn this fledgling side in to a formidable force.
oh bugger 🙁
Nice one dino!