Return Of The King?

I have read many opinions on why we should or should not sign Thierry including many opinions from friends I go to games with.

The argument of wanting to remember Thierry at his peak or not ruin his legacy is a fair one but I for one would risk Thierry’s legacy for a top four finish. I love Thierry; but I love Arsenal football club more.

Saying all that, I would much rather get that permanent striker in which will mean more support for Robin and perhaps show the ambition that Robin wants to see.

But even getting a permanent striker may prove difficult; a potential player will know he will play second choice to Robin and its not like we can pay them 200k to sit in the bench (unlike some; some even pay others to play for someone else but we will leave that for another day).

It’s a real dilemma. Podolski has been rumoured and that would provide a much longer term option and I would be happy enough with that. The downside to a short term replacement is that when March/April comes, Arsenal will need fresh legs and the Podolski type signing can give that where as the Thierry Henry signing cannot.

Being in the away section at Man City, I would have given anything to have Thierry Henry on the bench and bring him on for the last 20 minutes or so. He just offers something different and I know it was only pre-season but he did not look too shabby in the Emirates cup and has been training with Arsenal so only the club know what level he is at.

The other issue that is talked about is what sort of impact this may have on current captain and star man Robin Van Persie. I believe Thierry is a smart man, and a smart man will know he is not the player he once was and knows he will not be the star man. Thierry Henry is not here to replace Robin Van Persie, Thierry Henry is not here to play in Robin Van Persie’s position, Thierry Henry is not here to return as captain. Thierry Henry is here to literally lend a hand when needed.

An Ideal solution would be to bring Thierry in along with a long term permanent offensive player and one that most would be very pleased about.

I know the romantic and emotional personalities among us do not want to see Thierry reputation tarnished but I would be prepared to take the risk if it gives an advantage to Arsenal football club.

After all; how can anyone forget Thierry’s 226 goals for this football club and in case you do forget, there is a massive statue outside!

And if he re-signs, what are the odds on a goal against Man Utd and Spurs at home in January and February respectively? Worth a punt id say. (If he does sign!)

Statue day / Thierry's Emotional speech

A day filled with class from a club with class.

Our day started with a few of us being invited to one of the club level suites and being greeted with a cocktail reception along with a small finger buffet. I enjoyed my Champagne and glass of wine and the Legend DVDs on show.

Ivan Gazidis welcomed us by saying a few words.

We got taken downstairs where we were in a school like queue; we waited around because someone was late... that someone was Arsene Wenger. He then came and signed a few autographs and walked past us along with the directors and chairman of the club.

Then this tall Frenchman, who I am told scored 226 goals for our wonderful football club walked past and shook a few hands (including mine!).

We were taken to each statue separately and speeches were given by Peter Hill-Wood, Arsene Wenger and off course, Thierry Henry.

Thierry's speech was superb, his love for the club was genuine and he broke down while speaking and the crowd helped fill the silence by chanting his name. Thierry ended his speech with his legendary 'Once a Gooner, Always A Gooner' line.

Maria even had a chance to shout her 'Come On You Gunners' which is very well known within Arsenal supporters.

The game vs Everton will also be just as special and I hope all Gooners enjoy the game; After all, its a game we must win!

Here are a few snaps from the day:

The English Teams In Europe Dilemma

Firstly let me apologise for my absence in regards to blog posts. New job along with the away trips (which have been epic by the way) have taken it out of me!

Watching this weeks Champions League action got me thinking about what I want to happen and what is best for Arsenal football club.

On one hand, our record against English teams in Europe is quite poor. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool have knocked us out in the past so if we have ambitions to go far in the competition, the lack of English teams should help us.

But the other hand says we will probably not win the Champions League so finishing fourth is a MUST and therefore the more games our rivals play, the better. Yes going out of the Champions League means playing in the Europa League on Thursday nights but do we really think the big teams will play their strongest team? I don’t think so.

For me, Man City and Man Utd are a bit far off and even though a good run off form can see us catch them, it seems unlikely. Chelsea on the other hand, are only two points ahead and if they had gone out the other night then come February, they would have had a real advantage in the league. Imagine having to play a European away game then go to Everton or Liverpool and having Chelsea fresh.

It was one of them dilemma’s I had while watching the games and even though seeing Chelsea go out would have meant, the small club in crisis would be the only English team left in the Champions League, the possible fixture congestion (for Chelsea) can only be a positive.

If Arsenal avoids the two big Spanish teams, then you just never know what can happen.

UP THE ARSENAL !