Grim faces, disappointment, and a massive outcry was visable at the beggining of the New Year, when the Gunners lost at Craven Cottage with Fulham edging the North London team, even though Arsenal took the lead in the first half. What was particullary easy to notice was the lack of the threat from the wings, which was partially caused by the full-back crisis the team is suffering at the moment. The liability on the flanks was followed by a shaky control of possesion and that further built-up Cottagers confidence as the game passed.
The other problem that the team is facing at the moment is lack of support for Robin Van Persie in terms of goal-scoring. It is obvious that all rely on the Dutchman to save the team when the game goes to latter stages and the outcome is still uncertain, because, let's be honest, our current first team wing forwards aren't exactly topping the scoring charts. Gervinho and Theo Walcott scored 4 goals each, precisley, 8 goals combined, and that's almost 3 times less than Van Persie scored ALONE.
Also, when the captain's body cries out for the deserved and much needed rest, untill end of May he will have Maruane Chamakh and C.Y. Park to fill him in. Chamakh, who played whole 2011. as a passenger, and clearly can't even compete for the first team spot, and Park, who is even lower in the pecking order. It is amazing how quick this club fell from one of the greatest striking forces of all the top clubs, to one of the worst. Arsene Wenger knows that he must sign a proven, classy wing-forward/striker that can be a secondary goal threat behind Van Persie, to loosen the pressure of the no. 10. And so, the cheeky Frenchmen pulled his move.
The annual winter transfer window frustration for every Arsenal fan was somewhat lessened with the announcement of the "king" Thierry Henry signing on a short-term loan. Of course, none of the fans could stay objective with the news that an all-time goalscorer, legend and the major factor in Arsenal's late '90s and early 2000s success is returning to the club. Wenger once again surprised everyone with his questionable moves in the market, but 10 days of the window have passed and we've already seen the impact of our first signing. There wasn't a Gunner out there who didn't jump out of joy after Thierry disposed of Leeds' defense with his still-intact magical first touch, and then reminded us of his glory days with a typical placed finish. If that dreamy night at Ashburton Grove was a sign of things to come, then, Wenger pulled the right move.
Henry will inject the needed experience and as a club legend and a still passionate player with an iconic history will lift the whole team up. Just take a look at Theo's cameo. He was buzzing. I personally think the pacey forward will benefit the most with Henry around. Also, I believe Wenger will observe how will Henry deal with the intensity of the EPL, and if he keeps banging them in, I don't see why he wouldn't extend the loan deal untill the end of the season. If you remember, David Beckham joined AC Milan on similiar circumstances in 2009, and later extended the loan with Italian giants 'till the end of campaign. I see this as the biggest posibility, cause signing a classy wing-forward/striker in his mid 20s (someone like e.g. Podolski) would clearly be a state of intent, but we know Wenger nurtures Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and to a lesser extent Rio Myiaichi as our future driving forces in attack, and wouldn't drop Theo Walcott in which he invested so much time, and Gervinho who he just brought in for a decent ammount of money. The short-term signing of Henry will not "kill" these players, but would rather benefit them massively in French tactitian's eyes.
We can cry or dream for Lukas Podolski,Mario Gotze,Eden Hazard, but we know that's not the Wenger's way of doing things. All that we can do is sit and enjoy watching Henry breaking his own goal-scoring record every week while he's with us. Let's be realistic, I know this is most likely our only signing in the winter period, with maybe a full back coming as a short-term cover. The classy, mid 20s wing/forward striker won't come, but it doesn't necessearly mean we will still heavy rely on RvP for goals. The king is back, Theo will certainly get his form up, and Oxlade will most likely get more and more time on the pitch. Gunner can hope for Henry repeating Monday night's cameo on 22. January, grabbing a last minute winner against Man Utd with a 30-yarder goal, and then extending his loan until the end of the season.
What I'm certain off is that the Arsenal's performance in the 2nd half of the season will tell us much about Wenger's intentions. He still has a little credit with me, and it's time to prove that he still has that drive and hunger in him.
And it's Arsenal, Arsenal FC...
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