http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/arsenal/4276762.stm excerpt: Striker Henry, 28, has two years left to run on his current contract. "I can't say Henry will be at Arsenal next season," said the Arsenal boss. "Under the new Fifa rules, a player can move without permission of any club. Let's hope we can extend Henry's contract before years end.....
From www.skysports.com today: No, I am not worried. Thierry Henry is of course healthy. Most importantly he is happy and has shown a huge commitment. ''You always have to put things in perspective, the commitment Thierry has shown this club against one headline in one newspaper. ''I go for what he has shown this club in six years since he came, that's the reality.''
These rumors fly every time a team goes into a slump (Man United included). With Vieira now gone, the most obvious target is Henry, regardless of his stature among fans and the players. Not that Wenger has ever been afraid to sell a player for a top price. Still seems far-fetched.
If Wenger feels building a new team will take a few years, selling Henry wouldn't be the worst idea in the world. Take the cash, invest it back in the side.
OK, here's what I don't understand: how are we in a slump? We got upset by Middleboro with our prime scorer (Henry) and one of our most spirited players (Freddie) on the sidelines and on Boro's home field. Even the best team get upset every once in a while. If they didn't, the Invincibles would not have been so staggering. And we lost 1-0 to the defending champions on their home ground. Sure it sucked but, they are a darn good side and they were playing at home. That's it. Two losses and both on enemy ground. In one we were without two of our best and in the other we played a great team darned close and lost by the slimmest margin. We are not in a slump. We have suffered two losses early in the season and that is bothersome but, it isn't season ending. We still have Cups to win and a league to contend. Two losses don't end our season. Just think how much things change if we beat Chelsea at home. This season is too young to be surrendered and two losses do not a slump make! This team has talent and even if we can't catch Chelsea in the Premiership (I think someone can so, why not us), we still have Cups to compete for and glory to be had. Just think of this time as the period that separates the true Gooners from the Nancies who run and hide when the going gets a little tough. Afterall, all those bandwagon Chelsea fans came from somewhere and we can't possibly believe that Arsenal is immune to bandwagoners. This is a chance to shed them before renewed glory!
Wenger this, Wenger that. The team is going down. Blind faith is a slow poison. The team was weak last season. In response to that Wenger sold Vieira. That is like taking a piss on an already loose stool. Still there are people who think it is okay for Henry to go if Wenger says so. Zani says: In God we trust, all others we investigate.
sell Henry?!?!?! !Tu esta loco! Hey guys, Deaner is right, the season is going fine... the last thing we should consider is selling Henry. Well, maybe the last thing we consider is selling Wenger himself, but second to that is selling Henry. This isn't a rebuilding year, it's a year to compete and see how high we can finish. Henry is definitely a part of that formula (the formula for competing, not giving up and rebuilding).
Ah a man after my own heart. Good post Deaner1971 - Reps to that man! Not in your case it isn't. Considering your a team-switching glory hunter who seems to have trouble understanding COMMON SENSE much less anything about Football - how do you expect us to take anything you say or think seriously? Perhaps "think" is too strong a word here I dunno... And sure enough you go and prove me right with your very next comment. I mean ffs second place with one of our largest points hauls to date and were weak. Wtf are you smoking? And by the way - Vieira isn't the be all and end all of Arsenal FC and neither is Henry... I think its time for the Zani Song
ZANI is brilliant, I don't know why these muppets get all worked up by his posts... I never take the guy seriously, maybe that's why I find him so fucking hilarious!
If you haven't noticed, the team is plainly not as good as it was two years ago. I wouldn't give up on the season yet, but at the end of the season, if Wenger feels that he's taken the current squad as far as it can go, and that it's time to invest in youth, then selling Henry buys you a lot of youth. Henry is probably the best Arsenal player I've ever seen (and I've been watching the club for almost 20 years), but selling high and buying kids is not a bad idea.
Part of the problem with selling Henry, beyond the obvious fact that his talent would be missed in any side, is that its not likely that Arsenal would get true value for him. Look at what Wenger got for Vieira this summer. Vieira is a bit older than Henry will be next summer, but it would selling a player with only one year left on his contract. I just can't see clubs offering up with Henry is really worth in that situation.
What are they talking about? What is this rule? If it existed, Abromovich could buy a few countries every summer instead of spending money on transfer fees.
Lets just hope its a way for the papers to keep things interesting since most folks out there think the EPL is done and its not even winter yet. They got to have something to write about right? Who knows, but it wouldn't be good if Henry left, that much is for sure.
I thought this was still a thought and there's been no ruling yet. Also, Sky Sports' take on the exact same interview is: Wenger confident about Henry http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?...r+confident+about+Henry&channel=football_home
If you are advocating selling Henry then you *are* giving up on this season and next... yes you'll raise a sum of money for "buying kids" but it will be evident to all onlookers that you have given up and are in a rebuilding mode. I'd rather us hold onto aguably the best player in the world and compete consistently. Since when is there a rule that "if you win a trophy but after five games you don't look quite as good then you have to sell your best player and enter a 'rebuilding phase'"? Selling our best player is the surest way to reach for mediocrity.
I agree we should assess at the end of the year but, keep the team united and focused until then as this team has every chance of improving during the year and making runs for hardware be year-end. Plus, keeping the vets around is the best way to help along some of the talented youngsters. The only danger I see is that Henry might buy out his contract and that means we get nothing for him. If he would only re-sign, I think the team gets a boost in confidence and a sense of continuity that will really get the wind back in our sails. Does anyone have full details on the player contract buy-out option and when it can and can't be invoked?
We won't win f*** all by selling our best player. It just doesn't work..in ANY league. Henry is a once in a lifetime player...there is no "reinvesting" character, soul, or heart. Sell off the glory hunters that may lurk around the Arsenal, but sell Henry? Non! Any of this rubbish about Henry wanting to leave isn't worth the paper its written on. The man loves playing here, loves Wenger and wants to lead us to new glory, new silverware. Period.
Selling Henry would be mad IMO. I don't think that Henry is leaving any time soon. The contract talks will go on for awhile as they should. This is one of Henry's biggest signings and he and the club will work on negotiations for a bit.
Fixed your post. No sane fan would ever want their club to sell off one of the best players in the world at the peak of his career, the club's only reliable goal scorer, captain, and back-to-back winner of the golden boot to "reinvest" in the squad. That is just silly.
The butlers, valets, chauffeurs, waiters, busboys, maids and bartenders say it's a done deal. If you can't believe a bartender who can you believe? http://football.guardian.co.uk/rumourmill/index/0,1451,1579417,00.html
Just out of interest, can anyone actually find a factual article anywhere that states that arsenal have tried to open negotiations with Henry and have been rebuffed/reversed/knocked back etc. or that Henry is stalling on the terms offered... or is this media circus just purely down to the fact that we haven't started talking to him yet ? Just curious you understand