So much will be written about the return of Thierry Henry and rightly so, but I would like to look at this amazing story from a new angle.
There are many reasons in my opinion as to why Arsene Wenger may only opt to strengthen the forward line with Henry in this window. The obvious one is that the Henry loan spell will neatly coincide with the absence of Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho for the African Cup of Nations. I also believe that whilst many commentators seem to feel Robin van Persie wants to see us sign top stars to convince him of our intent, this is not necessarily practical. My question has always been – why would an established international striker such as Podolski want to come to a team who have for several seasons now, with no sign of change, played with one central striker and two wingers? I am sure Robin is well aware of this dilemma and will understand the position it puts his manager in.
So to my mind the marquee centre forward signing is perhaps unlikely. However, I would like to think that Wenger’s decision on Henry, and the time it is buying him, is not just linked to the absence of his two African attackers. I fervently hope that another consideration is the return to fitness of one Benik Afobe. After starring on loan for Huddersfield last season, Benik was rewarded by Wenger with a new long-term contract and promotion to the first team squad for 2011/12. Afobe was even withdrawn from the England under-20’s squad in the summer to play for the first-term pre-season, so we must surmise that Wenger had high hopes for Benik for this term. Sadly for Wenger and Afobe a serious groin injury ruled the youngster out in September for a minimum of four months, but I hear he is back in light training now.
I know promoting from within seems unpopular these days with everyone wanting to pay big bucks for the instant hit, but let’s remind ourselves that most experts are predicting that both Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck will go to the Euros after their first full seasons playing for their own team in the Premier League. These guys are playing regularly and keeping the likes of Fernando Torres and Dimitar Berbatov on the bench. Sometimes you just need to throw the youngsters in there and truly find out, as we did with Jack Wilshere only last year, if they are truly good enough. Certainly in the case of Benik Afobe he has absolutely all the credentials.
Benik joined us aged six and has broken scoring records ever since. He played for the Under-16’s side when he was 13 and scored over 120 goals for that team, including an incredible 40 in 33 games in the 2007/08 season.
Think you’ve hit the nail on the head, I am pretty sure Thierry Henry’s short term loan at the club is a mixture of giving the players a boost and also to keep players happy aswell. I think it will see the likes of Afobe and The Ox benefit from having someone at the club like Thierry Henry.
benik’s partnership with rhodes at huddersfield was superb and rhodes is ripping it up again this season and has forced his way into the scotland squad.
i think we should go for hazard rhodes and podolski as well as henry
sell chamakh, park, arshavin, bendtner, vela, murphy
I see west Ham have just had a bid for Rhodes knocked back. He will step up but not for Arsenal as we not only have Afobe but also Joel Campbell to return next year.
it seems you forgot also another winger we do have who is Ryo.
We have so many good wingers (potential ones maybe) but they are good.
Henry is here to back up RVP if anything happen to him and also to rest him when we play too many games..
Agree on Henry and pleased with decision and yes he will be able to back up RVP centrally or slot in for Gervinho. Would rather see AOC or Benayoun ahead of Ryo on left tho. Not sure whay you rasied point on Ryo thios as Afobe is an out and out striker and I hope he will step up to cover for RVP and is not a winger.
Will henry be able to help us get into top 4 at his present state ?. Is he the solution we are talking about ?
No Joe I am talking about Afobe as my preferred long term solution but yes I think Henry coming off the bench even at 34 will be more effective than Chamakh. After Feb when Gervinho is back I also feel he can cover central role when RVP needs a break. I am very confident of a top 4 finish with 2 of our world class players returning in late Jan or early Feb.
With Podolski he can play wide left at times like he has for national team and still be cover for RVP in centre. Why not an attack of
podolski RVP walcot
wilshire Arteta
song
and then add Gervinho to the mix after the african cup
Liam that is a good shout. I guess I am just a traditional gooner who would love to go back to the days when we won leagues with all our own talent. Did it with Adams, O’Leary, Hayes, Thomas, Davis, Rocastle, Quinny and Merse so I would love to do it again with the likes of Schezza, JW19, Afobe, Aneke, Le Coq and Bartley. Sentimenatl claptrap I know but I can dream. Mary my words on Afobe tho. he will make it with us or we will regret it.
Yes me to with the youngsters but Podolski would help with this. Afobe will be great but he is not ready to fill RVP in injured but he should get chance ahead of Chamakh park and Bendtner and should get chance to play with RVP
What you seem to forget is Podolski is equally adept at LW. He has played most of his games for Germany at LW.
I am not forgetting mate but we were not talking about that position and he does not play there for Cologne. Why spend £26 million on AOC and Gervinho if you intend to but another winger for £25 million.
I will not be upset if we buy Podolski as an alternative to RVP but I just want our own talent to get a chance to shine.
Henry can be a real help with the likes of Benik. Just like RVP said in an interview that before the QPR match, Thierry was helping Coquelin! I feel TH should come back to Arsenal even after in some capacity… maybe coaching cause his experience would be great help.
Really love this article Mr Seager. Unlike most Arsenal fans, I really feel that we don’t need any new additions…not because we’re perfect the way we are, but we would need to sell and/or be plagued by long-term injuries in key positions (such as fullback right now). Despite Chamakh’s poor form, as long as he’s an Arsenal player, it would be pointless to buy (more so now that the King’s return is imminent). But yet another reason why I feel this way is as you’ve said: ‘Benik Afobe.’ The moment a Podolski or Rhodes comes in, the less chance this guy has to play more minutes and prove his potential.
RK Thanks. If you like this I did a follow p on same thene on Gunnersphere today. Check it out.