HENRY GONE!

[ONeill]

£24m is the figure mentioned on Barcalona.  A lot of money for a 29 year old...I assume Eto is on his way out then, he would be a good signing for any club.

Whats all this 29year old stuff sure he has another 5 years at least at the top level,29 isn't old for a footballer IMHO

Henry's major asset is speed. This year it seemed injuries were taking their toll. He wasn't skinning players the way he did. He appears to have an on-going nerve problem that is affecting his effort. I'm still sceptical of the fee quoted though.

[Galwaybhoy]

they are mentioning 16 million, agree with O'Neill, one of the greatest strikers to grace the premership

Yeah just hearing 16m there on Sky Sports, I'm sure they said £24m on Sky Sports News a few minutes ago.

Yeah a huge loss for Arsenal.  I remember argueing with my Man Utd mate who was the better striker Ruud or Henry.  Always Henry for me, the best striker in the Prem in years.  Quality striker.

Maybe it was 24million euro?

Could be but doubt it, they rarely mention amounts of money in Euros on Sky Sports News.

So to the Arsenal fan(s) on the board, whos the right man to replace him?  Any ideas who Wenger may look at yet, or who ye think would make a good replacement?

[Square Ball]

from the BBC

Barcelona in talks to sign Henry  

Henry appears set for a move to Spain
Barcelona are in talks with Arsenal with a view to signing Thierry Henry, BBC Sport understands.
Officials for the Spanish club are in London negotiating with the Gunners over a reported £16m transfer fee.

Barcelona hope to close the deal by next week for Arsenal's record goalscorer who has long been linked with a move to the Nou Camp.

The 29-year-old's agent, Jeff Weston, told BBC Sport: "The SEM Group have no comment to make."

Earlier in June, the agency rubbished reports from France that the Arsenal star had agreed a provisional three-year contract with Barcelona.

606: DEBATE
Do you think this is a good deal for Arsenal?  

Henry signed a new four-year contract with the Gunners last year but appeared to cast doubt on his future in June when he said he was flattered by interest from AC Milan.

This came after he said he was "devastated" when Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein left the club in April because of "irreconcilable differences" with the rest of the board. Both AC Milan and Barcelona had declared their interest in the player, who has been constantly linked with a big-money move away from Arsenal for the last few summers.

Meanwhile, former Arsenal team-mate Patrick Vieira told BBC Five Live that he feared Henry would leave the Gunners if the Premiership side did not bring several world-class players.

"If Arsenal bring two or three big names that will show Thierry that they want to compete," said the current Inter Milan player.

"If that's not the case Thierry will ask himself what is the best for him."

[ONeill]

Villa would've been great. Van Persie isn't, and won't be, prolific. Adebayor is hit and miss. I'd find it hard to believe Wenger won't unearth another gem somewhere in Europe. (Darren Bent anyone?) You'll never predict Arsene though. He never goes for the obvious.

[Square Ball]

could this be the start of an exodus with Wenger being the next one to go? wonder did he endorse the transfer?

[ONeill]

could this be the start of an exodus with Wenger being the next one to go? wonder did he endorse the transfer?

I'm sure he did. Henry seemed to take the Dein resignation to heart. With Pires, Vieira and Reyes all trying pastures new, Henry knew time was running out. As for Arsene, he'll enjoy the challenge. Just hope Fabregas doesn't follow Henry to Spain before August.

[FermPundit]

Henry will be a massive loss to the Premiership. I wouldn't be surprised if Wenger followed him out the door. The whole team was built around Henry. Arsenal had a massive rebuilding job to do and its just got even worse.

226 goals in 334 appearances. How do you replace a player like that??

[flairgun]

226 goals in 334 appearances. How do you replace a player like that??

Similar things were said when Van Nistelrooy left Manchester.
They seemed to manage alright.

Wenger has earned the trust and patience of Arsenal fans, but if he spends the proceeds from Henry on more 21 yr olds, then Arsenal fans patience will really be tested.

[ONeill]

226 goals in 334 appearances. How do you replace a player like that??

Similar things were said when Van Nistelrooy left Manchester.
They seemed to manage alright.

Wenger has earned the trust and patience of Arsenal fans, but if he spends the proceeds from Henry on more 21 yr olds, then Arsenal fans patience will really be tested.

Henry was much more than that. He assisted the majority of other goals. Defences were terrorised by his presence that they'd not know who to mark or how many to put on him. Arsenal were Mr Henry for the last 5 years. Even when Vieira went you knew with Henry anything was still possible. Even this year, Arsenal's most disappointing since 96, the highlight was Henry's goal v Man Utd. Last year the highlight of Arsenal's season was Henry's strike at Real Madrid. At the World Cup he knocked out Brazil and won France's penalty in the WC semi-final. The more I think about it, the more I can't believe the fee.

[Dinny Breen]

A sad day for gooners, the King is dead long live the King. Makes sense to sell him now although would be surprised if it was for the amount reported, Aresnal never divulge so we'll probably never know. Now as anyone Torres number? 

[Syd]

Fee is £16 million (24 million yo yos)

[hitzelsperger]

for past few weeks i've been living in denial that Henry would stay for one more season to give things a go especially after playing very litlle last yr...now i've realised hes gone im tryin to think of players that wenger could sign to replace him and can honestly think of no one in the world...over the past 6 yrs henry has grown from a mediocre winger into being the most exciting player in the world, used to love seeing him collect the ball inside his own half and knowing there was only one place that he was heading, alot of the time he got there too and rattled the rigging!

the following statement will provoke reaction but henry for me is the best player ever to grace the premiership. not only his goal scring but his assists and torturing of defenders week in week out...he'll be sorely missed.

Wenger will need to splash the cash now but who do you buy to replace the complete player??

[Syd]

who do you buy to replace the complete player??

Franny Jeffers, the ultimate fox in the box....

[hitzelsperger]

whats everyones fav henry goal...too many to choose from but will always remember the flick up and shoot against manure or that goal in the bernabeu...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRh3u1_RihI - henry at his best

[ONeill]

v Liverpool - crucial in so many ways - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etSn2Hd0JhQ

v Spurs - beauty - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10VT4V1KJ9k

v Charlton - cheeky - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Gz9zuqTWdE