Spanish media reporting Thierry Henry has signed a four year deal with Barcelona! Breaking news on Sky
Great stuff, anything to add O Neill......???
Thought he said he was happy? Also I hope Barca didnt give TOO much money for him, he is 29 years old after all.
If this is true Arsenal will find it near impossible to replace him.
Sky Sports News now saying they've confirmed it themselves
BBC saying it as well
They certainly missed hime last year when he was injured. There is some real bad blood behind the scemes at arsenal. Wenger rested Henry when he was fit before christmas then played him in europe when he was unfit, his last game for them by the look of it. With Dein walking out the wheels seem to be coming off badly at the emirates.
Does this mean Samuel Etoo is up for grabs?
BBc also said that the have contacted Arsenal who have denied it.
£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.
The time was right. We'd seen the best of him and he'd given everything over the last 7 years. The best. Ever.
they are mentioning 16 million, agree with O'Neill, one of the greatest strikers to grace the premership
Grace is the word. One of those players that other supporters appreciated. Some brilliant memories and fitting he closed the Highbury chapter. That was his real home.
£16 does seem a bargain, even at 29. With AC Milan breathing down their necks I thought Arsenal could've eeked out £20+, unless there's more to the deal.
Quote from: Square Ball on June 22, 2007, 07:32:54 PM
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.
Quote from: Galwaybhoy on June 22, 2007, 07:14:19 PM
£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
Quote from: Galwaybhoy on June 22, 2007, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: Square Ball on June 22, 2007, 07:32:54 PM
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?
Still on official announcement acording to the BBC, this should happen in the next day ot two
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on June 22, 2007, 07:38:32 PM
Quote from: Galwaybhoy on June 22, 2007, 07:14:19 PM
£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.
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on June 22, 2007, 07:39:12 PM
Quote from: Galwaybhoy on June 22, 2007, 07:37:46 PM
Quote from: Square Ball on June 22, 2007, 07:32:54 PM
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?
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."
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.
could this be the start of an exodus with Wenger being the next one to go? wonder did he endorse the transfer?
Quote from: Square Ball on June 22, 2007, 07:53:22 PM
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.
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??
Quote from: FermPundit on June 22, 2007, 08:01:57 PM
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.
Quote from: flairgun on June 22, 2007, 08:34:06 PM
Quote from: FermPundit on June 22, 2007, 08:01:57 PM
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.
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? :P
Fee is £16 million (24 million yo yos)
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??
Quote from: hitzelsperger on June 22, 2007, 09:17:29 PM
who do you buy to replace the complete player??
Franny Jeffers, the ultimate fox in the box....
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
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
Thing i liked and respected about Henry is he let his football do the talking, he idnt go for all the commercial shit the English players get caught up in. There was a good article the other day talking about Beckhams chances of changing the Yanks perception of "sawker", the journalist said someone like Henry would have made a far more significant impact because he is more articulate than Beckham,because at the end of the day, if you forgive the Beckham speak !,behind Beckhams good looks he has f**k all to say !
Spot Fearon in the Spurs crowd:
(http://www.freewebs.com/allthecoloursfade/henryspurs.JPG)
No idea who he is, i thought he was a spurs supporter but i can only see casually dressed people who must be ashamed of the team they support, one bloke seems to be wearing an old Leeds shirt
The evil empire crumbles. First Dein, now Henry and surely Wenger must be packing his bags too. And we got two million more for Michael Carrick than the Goons are getting for Henry! 12 years of hurt coming to an end! ;D
That's Shane on the bottom row, third from the left! I always knew he was a closet yid!
PS I wonder will Henry be permitted to give Nou Camp stewards blow jobs?
i wouldnt be suprised if wenger enquired about michael owen. not suprised at all. henry was a legend but a player with constant injury is no good to anyone
I see plenty of one finger and two finger salutes but I also think I see some idiot in the middle giving Henry the THREE fingers! Strange.
I see Mr Fearon too!
O'Neill is right. I think Wenger has got this one right and Arsenal fans are right to trust him. He is rarely if ever wrong in these matters.
Two heads directly up from the top of Henry's head ;)
Would any photo of a section of the crowd at a big GAA match feature so few women?
One of the premiership greats for sure, wonder how will he adjust to spanish football - should be ok.
i have a worrying feeling that it will be very hard to sign anyone now. With Wenger not committed to anymore than next season, it will be hard to convince top class players what direction the club is going. Anyway merci bien for the entertainment and all those splendid goals Thierry Henry
barca plan is to play henry etoo and messi up front with ronaldinho in behind. 2 holding mids and 4 at the back
The arse are in serious doodoo now that their best ever player has left them to go to Spain, I think at this point Arsenal will be lucky to qualify for the intertoto cup, thye have sold their best players and although they have a few excdellent emerging players the talent they have lost is too much to bear.
Quote from: stew on June 23, 2007, 09:01:43 PM
The arse are in serious doodoo now that their best ever player has left them to go to Spain, I think at this point Arsenal will be lucky to qualify for the intertoto cup, thye have sold their best players and although they have a few excdellent emerging players the talent they have lost is too much to bear.
Laughable over-reaction.
Henry was missing for half of last year and they still finished a comfortable fourth.
Everyone is forgetting how Van Persie was on fire before his injury last season, and another striker will be added before the beginning of the new season, probably along with another midfielder as well.
Van Persie, Adebayor, AN Other + Walcott & Bendtner.
Arsenal's biggest problem next season won't be their strikers not scoring goals, It will figuring out how to adjust their style of play to be more effective and direct.
They'd still of had that problem even if Henry was there.
Only six months ago we were hearing about Arsenal's bright future when their youngsters dismantled a strongish Liverpool team in the cup. Surely everything isn't contingent on the presence of Henry? While he was to Arsenal what Gerrard is to Liverpool or Terry or Drogba are to Chelsea, no player is irreplaceable. Maybe Arsenal won't bring in a player of Henry's current calibre, but there is no reason why someone like Wenger, assuming he stays, can't build another excellent team. How many times have teams lost top-class players, but just continued on? I am too young to remember when Keegan left Liverpool, but I can remember all the talk of the end of an era when Souness left for Sampdoria. Or what about 1995 when United lost Ince, Hughes and Kanchelskis in one go?
saw on sky sports news that anelka maybe being lined up to replace henry.
He is a great man to watch and the premiership will be poorer without him.
Wenger would be mad going for Le Sulk.
What he needs is a dependable striker with a proven goal scoring record at the highest stage. Step forward David Healy! :P
If you arse fans think you are going to count next year ye are mad in the head.
The man is an incredible player and no one could withstand his loss, the man who fills his shoes is going to be a let down and the arse havent enough class to be a factor next year. i predeict sixth in the league next year and no silverware.
The spuds will finish above them imo.
Quote from: stew on June 25, 2007, 12:23:56 AM
i predeict sixth in the league next year and no silverware.
And which two top class teams are going to overtake them in the league?
Tottenham? Bolton? Everton?
I think my money would still be on the gunners finishing ahead of any of that sad shower.
Quote from: hardstation on June 25, 2007, 12:26:17 AM
Quotethe man who fills his hoes is going to be a let down and the arse have lot to much class
:o :D
One hell of a line there Stew. Good to see the Sir Dimness alive and well/you're back on the beer in 2007.......
he didnt do anything for arsenal last season and i think the likes of martins - owen - ar even anelka wud make arsenal a stronger outfit for next year. so long as they are fit
Quote from: ONeill on June 25, 2007, 07:50:41 AM
Quote from: hardstation on June 25, 2007, 12:26:17 AM
Quotethe man who fills his hoes is going to be a let down and the arse have lot to much class
:o :D
One hell of a line there Stew. Good to see the Sir Dimness alive and well/you're back on the beer in 2007.......
Strangely enough Shaney it was bad light that affected by post, we had a thunderstorm here and the lights went out and that is why I missed a few letters.
Dimness???? I can see why you are not an English teacher but anyhow posting duly modified. ;D
Quote from: stew on June 25, 2007, 01:40:53 PM
Quote from: ONeill on June 25, 2007, 07:50:41 AM
Quote from: hardstation on June 25, 2007, 12:26:17 AM
Quotethe man who fills his hoes is going to be a let down and the arse have lot to much class
:o :D
One hell of a line there Stew. Good to see the Sir Dimness alive and well/you're back on the beer in 2007.......
Strangely enough Shaney it was bad light that affected by post, we had a thunderstorm here and the lights went out and that is why I missed a few letters.
Dimness???? I can see why you are not an English teacher but anyhow posting duly modified. ;D
Brilliant excuse!!!!
Quote from: spiritof91and94 on June 25, 2007, 01:47:32 PM
Quote from: stew on June 25, 2007, 01:40:53 PM
Quote from: ONeill on June 25, 2007, 07:50:41 AM
Quote from: hardstation on June 25, 2007, 12:26:17 AM
Quotethe man who fills his hoes is going to be a let down and the arse have lot to much class
:o :D
One hell of a line there Stew. Good to see the Sir Dimness alive and well/you're back on the beer in 2007.......
Strangely enough Shaney it was bad light that affected by post, we had a thunderstorm here and the lights went out and that is why I missed a few letters.
Dimness???? I can see why you are not an English teacher but anyhow posting duly modified. ;D
Brilliant excuse!!!!
I havent had a drink in five months so he was wrong on that score, we did have a storm and the lights did go out. Is that ok 91