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‘I don’t think Henry’s return is the right thing for Arsenal’

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When I said I’d love to see a former Arsenal legend back at the Emirates this season, I didn’t expect it to be someone who is still playing football.

Thierry Henry has been rumoured to be returning to Arsenal on a two month loan deal next month before the MLS season restarts.

The 34-year-old is apparently being seen as the ideal replacement or substitute for Robin van Persie, as Arsene Wenger looks to protect the Dutchman from injury or tiredness.

Though former Gunner Stewart Robson believes the return of Henry could disturb the team’s chemistry:

‘I don’t think Thierry Henry’s return is the right thing for Arsenal.

‘Arsenal are doing well at the moment and Robin van Persie is playing in the form of his life. To bring Henry back and the ego that he’s certainly got, I don’t think it would be a good thing for Arsenal.

‘He tried it with Jens Lehmann, Manuel Almunia had just started to play well and he brought Lehmann in, the pressure was then on Almunia and he started to play poorly again.

‘A lot of the younger players won’t be pleased with Thierry Henry if he does go back. I’ve spoken to a lot of them and they say when he was last there he didn’t train properly, he almost tried to run the club and they were unhappy.’

He concluded:

‘If you need to go and get somebody on loan then go and get them from somewhere else but don’t bring back the old players. I think it’s always a mistake to bring back players for a second time.’

To be honest, I think Robson has a point. But in the case of Almunia, he doesn’t. The ageing Spaniard never did manage to put a good enough run of consistency in goal for us, hence his omission from the team. As for Henry not training properly I’m not entitled to comment on, as I don’t know what he does in Colney. However, I do agree that Henry’s possible return would not benefit the team at all. But as a coach, it would be wonderful to see.

If Arsene Wenger wants to protect Van Persie from injury, then why not go out and get Lukas Podolski or Roberto Soldado? Both are in excellent form and would be ideal replacements for the Dutch striker.

Yes Van Persie has been in great form, though I believe his excellent form has played a role in his failure to score goals as of late as he looks to break the total goals scored in a calendar year record.

Had we had a striker like Podolski or Soldado on the bench, I’m sure they would have brought enhanced our results and goal tally, unlike Marouane Chamakh and Andrey Arshavin, who have all but fizzled out.

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huge Arsenal fan, love the team and all that comes with it.follower of all kinds of sports, football being my first love, yet to attend my first arsenal game but i am planning too, some time in the not to distant future. i enjoy writing as well, that's how i ended up here, never looked back....

7 comments

  • Iain says:

    Gotta say although I agree with points, I think Thierry Henry coming back to Arsenal would be a great thing for the club, it would mean that Robin Van Persie would be able to be rested if needs be because currently we are not able to rely on either of our backup strikers.

    I would not put Thierry in the same bracket as Lehman or Campbell because Thierry is in a class of his own and he would still do well in the premiership, he would also give a lift to the younger players.

    • xx says:

      BRINGING BACK HENRY IS A MISTAKE. HE IS NOT A LEADER AND WILL PROBABLY CLASH WITH VAN PERSIE. HENRY JUST FAILED TO LEAD HIS NEW TEAM TO THE MLS TITLE FALLING TO A TEAM LED BY BECKHAM.HE ALSO WON NOTHING FOR ARSENAL AS CAPTAIN. THIS IS A SMOKESCREEN AND WILL NOT HELP US FINISH IN THE TOP FOUR. THE BOARD AND MANAGER SHOULD GO OUT AND GET A NEW WINGER AND STRIKER NOT THIS REVERSE GEAR MOVE. I AM ANNOYED BY THESE GIMMICKS.

  • Aussie Jack says:

    You could argue that the striker problem should have been addressed earlier and given more priority and you would probably be right. Nevertheless we do have a hole to plug until the end of the season and there is no one more qualified for the job than Henry. Hopefully the summer will provide the answers we have all been waiting for and we will stop fooling around with protege`s

  • ken says:

    Getting Henry back is all a plan by Wenger and the board it saves them from spending money.
    They should go out and buy a top quality striker to play along Van Persie.
    Again whilst the likes of Liverpool,Chelsea,Spurs, and Both Manchester clubs strengthen Arsenal will be left further behind.The only way forward is a new Manager and board.

  • WOLF says:

    Sol Campbell greatly exceeded my expectations when he came back. I knew that his reading of the game would never go away, but I remember he held up well the annual run of 10 matches in a month. I’m sure that Henry could do the same.

  • lloyd says:

    I realy don’t understand why Mr Wenger loves ‘playing games’. Arsenal is 2 players away from greatness (PODOLSKI & VERTORGEN). Get them and let’s see if i am wrong. However, King Henry on loan is perfect but for the now.

    • xx says:

      PODOLSKI YES, VERTOGEN NO. WE ARE ALL SET IN DEFENCE. ALL WE NEED IS A TOP CLASS WINGER AND A TOP CLASS STRIKER, FULL STOP.

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