Barcelona welcomes the Arsenal Great
Posted by V on June 25th, 2007
After the endless speculation and elliptical comments from everyone concerned, Thierry Henry has penned a 4 year contract with FC Barcelona. This puts an end to a courtship that has lasted a good part of two years. It almost seems unreal that he left his ever forgiving comfort zone to the warmer climes of Catalunya. That comes at a price though. The Catalans wont be as patient as the Gooners, they can be easily coaxed to take out the white hankies and hiss at the slightest of errors.
Henry seemed destined to remain at Arsenal ‘for life’ once he extended his contract last year despite persistent interest from the catalan giants, but with the apparent destabilizing effect of David Dein’s departure, it was clear that Henry had his heart set on a move. He cut a forlorn figure in the matches last season, shrugging his shoulders and screaming at teammates. It was the latitude he enjoyed at Arsenal that made him special but that will not be the case at the Camp Nou. Regular readers, all 3 of you, know by now how I despise this egomaniac but his talent is unquestionable. He does go missing and him cribbing on the sidelines is something I would loathe to see but with the shorter leash than he had at Arsenal , He would need to bring his A game to merit the same adulation. He wont be the Go-To player in the team but he can be a key cog on the offensive front. A 16 million pound mistake doesn’t sound as bad as a 50 million catastrophe that could have happened last year. Time will tell if TH14 is tailor made for the Arsenal way or whether he has the flexibility to thrive in a new system.
The move also reeks of Los Galacticos- the trusted system employed by ex Real Prez Florentino Perez that really only sold jerseys but won very few trophies. Barca will need to revamp the defense and sign a quality defensive midfielder as soon as possible. With Henry’s arrival it makes sense to get rid of Eto’o. He has done his bit for the Blaugrana but cashing in on him now seems the best option for both parties.
Henry will wear his favored Number 14 shirt, whose most famous recent incumbent was the great Johann Cruyff, a good thirty years ago. The transfer may have come as bad news for tabloids who were feeding off it for the last few years but it does open up new questions.
1) Why would Arsenal let him go for 16 mil? Thats peanuts given his previous valuation of 50 million a year ago. A 34 million devaluation in one year doesnt sound plausible but it may be the effect of the 3 in 30.
2) How will Frank Rijkaard accommodate him? If its Ronaldinho in a more withdrawn role (replacing Deco) it leaves a lot of holes on counterattacks. The REM combo rarely did any backtracking and when you add a pouting Henry on the left flank it does create worries for Puyol and co.
3) Will Cesc follow Henry out of Arsenal? You betcha..Not today but eventually. This kid has always wanted to play for the Catalans and its only Barca& depth in midfield that come as consolation for Arsenal but in 5 years, at the prime of his life he will be playing in the red and blue.
4) Will Arsenal stanch the talent drain? Three big losses in three years isn't the stuff great teams are made of. But they do look financially sound and may compete in a few years time. The big question is whether they will slip too far out to be considered a competitor at that time.
At the risk of sounding like a complete sadist, I admit I did enjoy the drama. Schadenfreude!!, you say. But it was particularly interesting to see Arsenal fans going postal on their GOD and avowing that 19 year old Cesc Fabregas is the Real God. Yeah, I believe you. Not long ago, all those fans that extolled Henry’s virtues have now claimed he was repressing the young talent at Arsenal FC. I know football fans are a fickle bunch but the Gooners certainly lose their marbles when things don’t go their way. The bitterness is amusing.
June 28th, 2007 at 5:55 am
Some thoughts…
1. Arsenal were struggling to make it to the top four for the past two seasons and with Henry’s departure and Wenger’s future in doubt, it would seem Arsenal’s title hopes are out even before the start of the new season.
2. Would Wenger too depart this season? He is supposed to be a man of integrity and he doesn’t want to quit before his contract ends next season. However, with the departure of Henry, he knows he has to sign a world-class player to fill the void. Moreover with the departure of David Dein, he has lost a crucial ally in the Arsenal boardroom.
3. Henry loves the limelight. So do Ronnie and the outspoken Eto’o. Will there be ego clashes that could possibly threaten Barca’s season? Will Rijkaard stay and be able to have control over his superstars?
4. Henry is 30 now. Does he still have it in him to prove himself like Van Nistelrooy did, in a different league?
June 30th, 2007 at 10:28 pm
I agree. The one happy bit i like about this transfer is that Henry has a lot to prove to his doubters - He is yet to win the big one!! I think that will drive him a lot. Added he never really rebuffed the Choking tag. So el classico next year is the best setting imaginable..
I’m totally against Eto’o being included. Why on earth would he still be in the team after his outbursts. And there could be more to follow…..I’m hoping Milan come calling and pay top money for him…
Wenger to sign. I think he loves arsenal, No idea why :P.. But the guy has honor and can’t see him leaving early either.
July 1st, 2007 at 6:37 am
Nice article dude… about those questions:
1) Henry suffers from sciatica - chronic back problems, in other words. Whether Wenger cottoned to this and decided the time was right is open to debate, but my belief is that Henry’s still got at least 4 years of brilliance left in him - even if his pace goes, his technique is outstanding.
2) Surely the way forward is to follow the old Brazilian philosophy of “you score 7, we’ll score 8″? Unless there’s some serious squad rotation… which might not make those stars very happy.
3) Will Cesc follow Henry out of Arsenal? You betcha - No argument. And sooner than later… in 7 years that guy will be in his prime, possibly the best midfielder in the world. But then i speak only with glimpses of his undoubted talent flashing through my head. What do Arsenal fans think?
4) Will Arsenal staunch the talent drain? - if wenger leaves, they’ll have a few years in the wilderness, that’s for certain. The guy is too good of a manager to fall completely off the pace, but don’t expect anything higher than 4th in the next couple of seasons, barring a miracle / big buyer for the club.
March 6th, 2008 at 7:29 am
arsenal without henry- top of the league and knocked milan out of euorpe
cesc has a contract until 2014 he isnt going nowhere