How often can a player be able to say that they have done that?
Henry’s return though will be a boost to Arsenal psychologically, helping a team who have recovered somewhat from their early season malaise. Henry at his best was one of the best players to play in the league, his pace and skill, combined with superb finishing, making him one of the most dangerous forwards around. The player though has changed, and now plying his trade in the United States he is not the player he once was.
Undoubtedly there are benefits to his arrival. Andrei Arshavin has been awful, as has Marouane Chamakh, this season, whilst Gervinho is on African Nations Cup duty. Goalscoring duties rest on Robin van Persie, for whom fear persists that he could pick up an injury, as well as the still inconsistent Theo Walcott, who should score more than he does. So in this sense, Henry seems a wise choice. Pace he may have lost, but not finishing ability, and if he can convert some more of the chances Arsenal make he will prove an inspired loan signing. Gervinho and Walcott have both been wasteful, so Henry can certainly help both with the goals tally and hopefully in teaching them how to do it.
But there are risks too. Arsenal’s game relies to a large extent on pace, and Henry lacks some of what he once had. And without his burst of pace, can Henry be any where near as effective? Arsenal will hope so but it is a significant doubt.
Arsenal should be going for another forward who can provide a longer term back up for van Persie. Henry should be an astute and useful loan capture, but long term an alternative is needed. Someone like France’s top scorer Olivier Giroud, or Internacional’s Leandro Damiao, would be ideal. Strong players who can play up front on their own and with the physique to thrive in the Premier League, as well as the skill and technical know how to put the ball in the back of the net too .
Wenger though, is notoriously slow to splash the cash. But in a Premier League title race in which some of the teams at the top are slipping slightly, Arsenal can make a real statement of intent and a big signing would inject belief into a squad which has in the past been afflicted by a loss of confidence. Henry will be useful, but he is not enough on his own. Wenger needs to spend in January and use the resources available to make a statement to Arsenal’s rivals.
