Who will replace Henry?
After Thierry Henry’s departure, it is patently obvious Arsenal cannot afford to simply replace him with exciting young talents, but must spend a substantial sum on a relatively proven goal-getter. While their young forwards possess enormous potential, it would be unrealistic to think they can instantly fill the void left by Arsenal’s highest ever goalscorer.
Footballing World assesses six possible Henry replacements:
Obafemi Martins (Newcastle)
Martins scored 17 times in a mediocre Newcastle side last season, while Arsene Wenger will also remember his exhilarating performance at Highbury for Inter Milan in 2003. The pacey forward is prone to the spectacular, and his direct style could serve Arsenal well, but is also infuriatingly inconsistent. His release clause of £13million may seem a little pricey, but he is sure to improve in time and there are clear similarities between him and the young Henry and, especially, Anelka.
Michael Owen (Newcastle)
Owen has spasmodically been linked with Arsenal for some time but, although his finishing would be a vital asset, the feeling has been that he lacks the technical qualities that Wenger would like a new striker to have. His £9million buy-out clause appears a good price for a player of such calibre, and the possibilities a fully fit Owen offers would be intriguing, but it must be doubtful Wenger is yet ready to splash out on a player who has hardly appeared for two seasons.
Nicolas Anelka (Arsenal)
Henry joined Arsenal just as Anelka was leaving, so there would be a certain symmetry if Anelka was to replace him. He is now a far more mature player than in his “super-brat” days, and Wenger would not count his previous antics against him, knowing he offers pace, directness, finishing prowess and would surely relish a return to a ‘big’ club Anelka believes his talents merit. A transfer, for around £10million, is certainly distinctly possible; although Anelka has regressed somewhat since his Arsenal days, he has remained a consistent scorer and a return, one feels, could reinvigorate this enigma.
Carlos Tévez (West Ham)
Tévez’s scoring record for West Ham was nothing spectacular, but his late-season efforts were so intoxicating that it seems all of Europe’s elite are now chasing him. Tévez possesses creativity, dynamism, running ability and strength – and, in the last two months of the season, was also shown to be an excellent finisher. He would seem close to the ideal Henry replacement, albeit slightly different in style; the caveat, however, is the £25million price tag.
Samuel Eto’o (Barcelona)
Eto’o is perhaps the closest there is to a young Henry, and his signing would reduce the necessity to alter Arsenal’s style of play. The recruitment of the Cameroonian would offer concrete proof that Arsenal have not regressed and his pace, directness, versatility and sheer power would fit perfectly into the fluid system favoured by Wenger. Whether he can lure Eto’o – especially with a price tag of £15-20million – is, however, a moot point.
Klaas Jan Huntelaar (Ajax)
Jan Huntelaar’s scoring feats in Holland have been extraordinary, almost reminiscent of a young Ruud van Nistelrooy, and he would be surely be highly amenable to a move to the Premiership. He possesses van Nistelrooy-esque ability in front of goal, so would offer Arsenal something new, but also, being Dutch, much technical quality; the prospects of a partnership with compatriot Robin van Persie, ideally suited to playing off Jan Huntelaar, are certainly tantalising. The Ajax forward would cost £10-15million and, although relatively unproven outside of Holland, the signing of a true poacher could be the tactical adjustment necessary to reinvigorate Arsenal.
Jan Huntelaar’s team-mate Ryan Babel is also believed to be a potential target though, at 20, he is not yet ready to fill the Henry void. However, although his scoring rate needs to improve, pundits are already salivating; Marco van Basten said “Babel has the potential to become the new Thierry Henry”.
The Verdict
The signing of either Eto’o or Tevez would be a great surprise; realistically, the club must look elsewhere for a new striker. Babel is seen as a very likely signing – though probably next summer – but at least one new forward is surely essential. Jan Huntelaar, although a risk, could prove an inspired signing and Martins’ dynamism excites Wenger, but the feeling appears to be that, eight years after his protracted exit from the club, the more mature Nicolas Anelka will return to Arsenal, hoping to revive both his fortunes and those of his former club.
