Thursday, September 29, 2005

Will Titi leave?


I really wanted to choose a non-sport theme for my next post but this is something that i had to take off my chest and something that has been giving me sleepless nights.
Will Thierry Henry leave THOF(Arsenal Football Club)?
This is the million dollar question facing all associated with this Club.
Henry s delaying of contract talks is sending wrong signals to his supporters.The only person who is managing to remain calm during this whole episode is the gaffer. El prof is very positive about the chances of getting his main man to sign on. Henry s loyalty to his club is beyond doubt, but does this come at a price?
He started out as a raw talent at monaco and juventus who would run up and down the left flank withour purpose.Arsene brought him and transformed him into the world s best player(Though Ronaldinho might have something to say about that).He is now feared all over Europe and has given many a sleepless night to defenders.I was surprised when i found out recently that he has a better strike rate in Champions league than Shevchenko.Strange- mainly because of the criticism thats dished out to him over his ineffectiveness at the european stage.Personally i think that it is his absolute dominance in the premiere league that makes people talk about his European performances. Who can forget the hattrick at the Stadio Olympico against a star studded roma side or the stunning performance against inter at the Guiseppe meaza "san siro" when he made veterans like mataraze,toldo look pedestrian.
The Arsenal team of the late 1990s was full of french players.Henry,Pires,Vieira,Petit,Grimandi and later on Wiltord made up the bulk of the squad.So much so that the tabloids cried out "Arsenal win the world cup" after France 1998.But now with Petit retiring,Vieira and Wiltord applying their trade elsewhere only pires and henry are left, though there are a few young french players like flamini and clichy in the squad.Though Henry s almost part english now, but the lack of fellow country men at club level might make him leave. Vieira left for Juventus in the summer and Pires is only a shadow of the player that he once was(thought i think he ll regain form soon) and the chances of him leaving look pretty high at the moment. Henry has come out saying in recent times that he needs to win the champions league.Thats a fair comment because thats the only medal missing from his otherwise impressive collection.He will also get higher weekly wages at other clubs which might be a factor.
Looking at this issue from the club s perspective, the brand new Emirates stadium at Ashburton grove,will be ready for the start of the 2006-2007 season.The debts are estimated to be in the region of 200 Million USD at present. Will they be able to turn down a lucrative offer for Henry?David Dein had reiterated time and again that Henry s indispensable but the growing debts might make him rethink.
If Henry does leave then there is a strong chance that he might end up at the Camp Nou.Juan Laporta has made no bones abou the fact that he is after Henry and has in fact gone to the press saying that he will get his man in the summer.That will be a sight to behold,Henry Ronaldinho and co running at defenses.
Being a die hard Arsenal Supporter my heart says that he will overcome the temptation and stay on.Also,Wenger will play a huge role in persudaing him to stay as he has plans of building a team around henry. He is also smart enought to know that letting Henry leave means that he will have to find a striker to replace him very soon and thats next to impossible.
I expect Titi to sign the extension in the next few days and put an end to all the rumours.

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