Thursday, 24 May 2012
Home / Arsenal News / Forget Henry, Arsene, give the Oxo Kid a chance

Forget Henry, Arsene, give the Oxo Kid a chance

By 2011/12/24 14 Comments

Share

Author:


Terry Henry was a sensation at Arsenal. He remains a Gunners legend. But to sign him on loan for a couple of months would be a mistake. Yes, he scored goals for fun and spearheaded us to glory many times, not least of all during the season we went unbeaten in the Premier League. At no point am I denying he was one of the best players we have ever had.

But cast your minds back to his last season with us and his attitude when things weren’t going as he would have liked. The strops. The raised eyes. The gestures. Since then, of course, he went on to play for Barca but didn’t really reproduce the amazing ability he showed in our colours, although he did manage to be top scorer with 19 goals in his first season at the Nou Camp. And a move to NYRB in the US MLS tells its own story.

I know we will be without Mazza Chama and the Gervster for a bit while they take part in the African Cup of Nations. The former is merely a squad player but valuable back-up should, Lord forbid, owt happen to RVP. The G-man is a threat with his pace and directness but doesn’t score enough goals. I’d prefer Arseen Wenger to shuffle the pack and give the Oxo Kid his chance as opposed to bringing back a player who is 34 and past his best.

For the record, our leader said of his thoughts on re-hiring Tel: “I have to think about that. Short term is ideal for us, but I haven’t made any enquiry yet. Thierry is not here at the moment. It has never come up in conversation. January 1 is the vital date for us. We have seven days to make decisions on players.”

By all means honour the great man with a statue. But allow his golden days in red and white to remain untarnished by a return that would hinder the progress of our young guns.

CARL ELDRIDGE – Hit unfollow on Twitter @eldomedia

GD Star Rating
loading...
Categories: Arsenal News Tags: , , ,

Related Arsenal Stuff


Arsenal fan for 40 years. Schoolboys, North Bank, Clock End then East Upper. Then Emirates. AFC dream team: Wilson, Dixon, Sansom, Adams, Pates, Brady, Williams, Pires, Bergkamp, Henry, Wright. Subs: Seaman, Eldridge, Wilshere, RVP, Ball. Manager: Arsene Chapman.

  • Berg10

    As much as I’d like to see TH14 run out in our colours again I totally agree with this article however it’s unlikely AW will put so much responsibility on the Ox but I’d love to be proved wrong on that one.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • JohninNorfolk

    My heart say’s yes but my head says no.  TH14 is a legend, the statue outside The Emirates confirms the fact, but the risk of tarnishing his image is not worth the candle. 

    Let’s remember the imperious Thierry, the way he played in his pomp, the pace, the skill, the goals. 

    Could he hack it in today’s Premiership?  Maybe, but lets not risk it.

    Thanks for the memory Thierry, it’s time to call it a day.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • Tesfahun grum

    Arsen Wenger please sign Henry 14 he is best & necessary 4 our team

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • Ricky

    Ox is a winger where he will remain for the rest of his career,a move for Henry serves only as a super sub for RVP… get your shit together sir. Jesus, not every fan should write football blogs.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • Dielle

    Henry – proven legend, tried and tested, loads of experience. Ox – virgin, plain and simple. For god’s sake, stop blogging.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • LB

    Henry would be a terrible mistake. Once the supporters realise he doesn’t have the speed or skill anymore, it’s gonna be very ugly. We will boo him and destroy the memories we have of him. There’s no upside for us or him.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Alx96

      You are stupid, LB.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • John L

      umm did you watch arsenal play NY recently? do you watch henry in the MLS? he has lost his speed, but skill? no he is still a very good player, and brings a presence onto the pitch that few other players are capable of. and to think arsenal fans would boo him?? hahah you really are and idiot. 

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  • SimpleDon

    I think AW prefers Ox concentrates on playing as a winger, not going back and forth as a striker. Henry could do as a sub and backup for RVP. I don’t see the downside to a loan deal with him. He certainly can provide at least the same impact as Chamakh! 

    And I don’t think that anything can diminish Henry’s reputation at Arsenal. What are they going to do if things don’t go well, tear down his statue?  

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • Khalilmamouri

    How about Walcott up front down the middle and the OX on the wing? his hard work will offer protection to our fragile full backs aswell

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • ATID

    Im suprised at u mate. thierrys.problems during his last season were.well documented and as u rightly steted he was top goalscorer with 19 at barca. think he.landed some trophies too? then he thought he would try something different ala beckham and has not done to bad reaching the final.of the.mls. sure the mls isnt great but having already played in france italy england and spain why not the states.

    for me henry in as a temp cover for gerv and chambolic is a great solution as it will not put any permanent solution in the way of the ox ryo afobe campbell etc. however if we are lucky enough to get money for chambolic arshavin park rosicky murphy diaby eastmond bendtner vela denilson then we should certainly invest in our midfield/defence. i would sell all 10 of those players and bring in just 5.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • Mnpoo2

    disagree.
    1. he will be on a short term loan so wont be expressing the frustration that he was feeling toward the end of his arsenal career.
    2. henry could both cover for chamakh and gervinho if need be. i agree that Ox should be played ahead of henry on the wing, but if RVP went down id have peace of mind knowing henry can step up.
    3. we know he can slot right in and not need any time to adapt to the arsenal style of play.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • clockendjim

    I think a few more years on Henry looks a more mature character now and may even be a good influence on the younger players like Oxo just coming through.
    He obviously has not got his speed now, but just think of bringing him on with 20 minutes to go when we desperately need a goal.  I am sure he would have put away some the chances that Arshavin has missed terribly when he has been brought on lately

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  • CharlieG1971

    Whilst I can see the point of keeping only the memories of Thierry’s best days and not risking the dilution of the wonder of his proven grace, skill and charisma, we do need another striker who will be prepared to wait in the wings.Or on the bench. 
    If the answer is not one of our current strikers Park or Miyaichi, or any of the midfield/wingers and Theo has already been tried, then we either wait for the inevitable to happen to RvP or we invest in cover. 
    Arsene has money available but does not seem willing to pay it so that means a new face is as likely as burgers on the menu at London Colney. So unlikely we’ll see a Podolski or similar German compatriot for Per to show the sights of London in 2012. 
    Unless there are other loan options, which is again unlikely, Thierry makes sense for 2 months. We know how much he loves the club and if he does not play he would at least inspire the team and enhance his own chances as a possible future coach of Arsenal. Sign him up!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...