The Return Of The King [Redux]

Dumping Carragher on his ass. Thierry Henry.

As 2011 came to a close there were more than whispers that Thierry Henry would return to the club on loan, in a period when Arsenal definitely needed freshening up. Just how much impact he might have was a source of great speculation, with factions both for and against the move. To pay homage to his second spell at the club I wanted to select a trademark moment from our French master, perhaps optimistically wishing for a revival of Henry’s vintage form.

Which to choose from so many? The volley versus United? The Charlton backheel? The 227^th goal [even if the 226^th was way nicer, and by the way how fitting that he would tie Ian Wright’s record then surpass it in the very same match?], the full length pitch run versus Tottenham? I decided on this goal, that played such a crucial role in Arsenal’s crowning achievement.

Like A Boss

"Yet Again Arsenal In A Matter Of Seconds Have Turned Defending Into Classic Counter Attack"

It is a well-worn tale that Arsene Wenger insisted upon the signing of Patrick Vieira from AC Milan before he would put pen to paper on his own contract to join the Arsenal. As much as Wenger was an unknown quantity, so too was Vieira. It wouldn’t take long for either to justify themselves in the Premier League. Vieira became the fulcrum around which Wenger weaved Arsenal’s intricate passing game, combining the graft and guile with which to strip opponents of the ball and immediately launch the Gunners into attack. 

The House That Jack Built

Wilshere's piledriver against Swansea

“There is not even a question over whether or not Arsenal's midfield is in good hands. Jack will be the England captain inside the next two or three years, you don't have to be a magician to work that one out… he's got the capacity to dribble, to pass, he will go on to become a top player of the future. There's not even a question about that.”*

These were Cesc Fabregas’ parting words of comfort to Gooners, that just as with many great players before him, the club would cope with his departure. It remains debateable just how much Cesc’s tenure with the club after Vieira left can be qualified as “coping,” but it is fair to say we were in better shape when he inherited the mantle of talisman than we are today.

There's Only One Dennis Bergkamp

"I play a different kind of game"

The caption above is from a chapter entitled "A Short Interview About Killing" in David Winners Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Soccer."  The quote is the conclusion of a conversation between Dennis Bergkamp himself and the author, the by-product of a chance encounter after an interview with someone else. Winner pressed the Dutchman about the imbalance of his relatively low goals return with respect to his outstanding ability as a striker.

The Rise of Corporal Jenkinson

Joleon Lescott, off screen to your right, will be using some of his massive City wages to get himself a new epidermis, having just been skinned by the Corporal.

No one could have predicted how quickly Carl Jenkinson would be folded into the Arsenal first XI, especially after the most inauspicious of starts to his career as a Gunner. Cast your mind back to last season, as a squad decimated by departures, injury, and suspension, saw us field a League Cup side for our Premier League visit to Old Trafford. Having completed his dream move from Charlton only months earlier, the young right back was thrust right into the thick of things against the champions on their own patch. Theo Walcott memorably [and harshly in my eyes] tore strips off of him that day after one mistake.