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Who may shine in Henry's absence?
7 December 2006, Steve Heslin
Much has been written regarding Thierry Henry’s upcoming spell on the sidelines, with the tabloids favouring the line that he and Wenger were involved in a furious confrontation, leading the captain to storm out of training last Friday. As always, Arsene Knows...and he knew that such an event would sell papers by the truckload. The Fleet Street hacks wasted no time in predicting the exit of Henry, slamming Arsenal for allowing the man to become bigger than the club. But Wenger has turned the situation into a positive. Monday’s press conference may have smacked of a publicity stunt, but I feel it needed to be done. This season has already been a roller coaster of highs and lows, despite sitting third in the table it is always easy to point to the negatives. I truly believe the joint statement Wenger and Henry made recently, citing frustration at niggling injuries as the root of Henry’s poor form and walkout rather than a bust up over tactics or transfer activity. They have told the truth to the fans, which rarely happens at any club these days, and shown the type of unity that many have questioned so far this season. So having already turned one sticky situation into a positive one, I shall examine who else in the Arsenal side can benefit in the four to six weeks we will be without our talismanic captain.
[b]
The most obvious player that should grab the opportunity with both hands is the enigma that is Emmanuel Adebayor. I truly can’t recall a player that has so split the opinions of Arsenal fans in recent years; he glides between the sublime and the ridiculous on a game-to-game basis. But the youngster, many forget he is only 21, has looked at his very best when handed the free role Henry enjoys whenever he plays. Perhaps he is not the target man many thought he would be - his game is far more suited to roaming across the park, making the best of his strength, determination and technique. He has been most effective in the games against Manchester United and Spurs, both games where Henry was missing, both huge games on the back of poor runs, both games where Adebayor was allowed to fully express himself. He is a constant nuisance to defenders; always shows like a good centre forward should, and displays massive heart in the chase. There are clearly flaws to his game, most notably he lacks the composure and consistency of a seasoned pro, but these aspects should improve in time. In fact, the question of consistency within this young Arsenal side is worthy of examination in itself; it is unfair to single out the Togolese for lacking this when many of the squad at present display the same shortcoming. With Henry out of the side Adebayor will take up the mantle in the free role, and I feel this could be his big chance to shine as the main man of Arsenals front line.
Adebayor has worked best this season in tandem with another forward who can blossom in Thierry’s absence, the ever-improving Robin van Persie. There are widespread reports that the personalities of the French and Dutch maestros clash, and this is wholly believable when the characters of the two are examined. Both grew up on ‘mean streets’ of Paris and Rotterdam respectively, leading them both to display the self confidence, bordering on arrogance, that any top class forward requires. This self-confidence is a larger part of van Persie’s make up – when he has faith in his own ability he can be unplayable. Without Henry in the side Robin must take up the mantle of providing the creative spark forward of the midfield, to keep the ball moving and also to get into dangerous positions. His roll will be liberated too, with license to rove from the left to his more effective right wing as a foil to Adebayor. He has the ability to create as many goals as he scores, 7 goals and 7 assists in 17 starts this season proves testament to the fact he is truly starting to realise his potential at Arsenal. With van Persie comfortable in all three high line positions in an attacking 4-5-1, Adebay
7 December 2006, Steve Heslin
Much has been written regarding Thierry Henry’s upcoming spell on the sidelines, with the tabloids favouring the line that he and Wenger were involved in a furious confrontation, leading the captain to storm out of training last Friday. As always, Arsene Knows...and he knew that such an event would sell papers by the truckload. The Fleet Street hacks wasted no time in predicting the exit of Henry, slamming Arsenal for allowing the man to become bigger than the club. But Wenger has turned the situation into a positive. Monday’s press conference may have smacked of a publicity stunt, but I feel it needed to be done. This season has already been a roller coaster of highs and lows, despite sitting third in the table it is always easy to point to the negatives. I truly believe the joint statement Wenger and Henry made recently, citing frustration at niggling injuries as the root of Henry’s poor form and walkout rather than a bust up over tactics or transfer activity. They have told the truth to the fans, which rarely happens at any club these days, and shown the type of unity that many have questioned so far this season. So having already turned one sticky situation into a positive one, I shall examine who else in the Arsenal side can benefit in the four to six weeks we will be without our talismanic captain.
[b]
The most obvious player that should grab the opportunity with both hands is the enigma that is Emmanuel Adebayor. I truly can’t recall a player that has so split the opinions of Arsenal fans in recent years; he glides between the sublime and the ridiculous on a game-to-game basis. But the youngster, many forget he is only 21, has looked at his very best when handed the free role Henry enjoys whenever he plays. Perhaps he is not the target man many thought he would be - his game is far more suited to roaming across the park, making the best of his strength, determination and technique. He has been most effective in the games against Manchester United and Spurs, both games where Henry was missing, both huge games on the back of poor runs, both games where Adebayor was allowed to fully express himself. He is a constant nuisance to defenders; always shows like a good centre forward should, and displays massive heart in the chase. There are clearly flaws to his game, most notably he lacks the composure and consistency of a seasoned pro, but these aspects should improve in time. In fact, the question of consistency within this young Arsenal side is worthy of examination in itself; it is unfair to single out the Togolese for lacking this when many of the squad at present display the same shortcoming. With Henry out of the side Adebayor will take up the mantle in the free role, and I feel this could be his big chance to shine as the main man of Arsenals front line.
Adebayor has worked best this season in tandem with another forward who can blossom in Thierry’s absence, the ever-improving Robin van Persie. There are widespread reports that the personalities of the French and Dutch maestros clash, and this is wholly believable when the characters of the two are examined. Both grew up on ‘mean streets’ of Paris and Rotterdam respectively, leading them both to display the self confidence, bordering on arrogance, that any top class forward requires. This self-confidence is a larger part of van Persie’s make up – when he has faith in his own ability he can be unplayable. Without Henry in the side Robin must take up the mantle of providing the creative spark forward of the midfield, to keep the ball moving and also to get into dangerous positions. His roll will be liberated too, with license to rove from the left to his more effective right wing as a foil to Adebayor. He has the ability to create as many goals as he scores, 7 goals and 7 assists in 17 starts this season proves testament to the fact he is truly starting to realise his potential at Arsenal. With van Persie comfortable in all three high line positions in an attacking 4-5-1, Adebay
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