Thierry Henry Leaving the Arsenal

This is a loss not just for arsenal, but also for the premiership. He shall be missed. The premiership has lost one of its true talents (even though Arsenal and their fans will feel sicker) :(

im a diehard arsenal fan from easthern nigeria, a third yr marketing student of university of nigeria.thiery should go as to enable the young players to display themselves.for his replacement i rather accept martins of newcasttle to anelka cos the making players are in arsenal what we need is a final touch, a finisher that can shoot shots and a talented both legs player.obafemi is good for that job than anelka. lastly, fabregas should not go we need him now than before and there is a need to change this psychology of over-dribbling and passess and employ shooting from outside 18yard box, thanks. i will appreciate if this mail be replied... goodluck my beloved team arsenal, God is with us,

Well I'm gutted. Absolutely gutted. Not surprised, but devastated nonetheless. I like Barca very much but it will hurt to see Titi wearing their shirt--any club's shirt. He will always be a gunner to me. I know he was a lousy captain and I already had doubts about his ability to work with Wenger's new young squad. Plus his fitness issues. But it still doesn't stop the hurt of seeing him no longer playing for Arsenal.

I urge all Arsenal fans to read this wonderful piece in the Times by Simon Barnes, a tribute to Arsenal's Invincibles and Henry, and how we should all be grateful to have witnessed such beauty and perfection on the pitch, and why it could not have lasted:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/t...

It's interesting to see the different takes on the transfer fee in England v. Spain. In England, 16 mil is viewed as too little while in Spain they think it's too much for a 30 year old with injury problems and a terrible season.

I would welcome Anelka, fantastic player, great on the France squad. He's matured greatly, and has great clinical finishing skills.

Thierry's "I'm with Arsenal for now" statements didn't inspire confidence in him staying at Ashburton Grove. I'm more disappointed that Arsenal didn't receive a transfer fee closer to the 20 million mark. I wouldn't mind Anelka coming back one bit, but Teves in an Arsenal kit would be a more welcome sight.

I can't believe Thierry is leaving. I'm in shock. I feel so empty. This reminds me of when Pat left. I'm just praying that the kids blossom in his absence. I think at times they were intimidated by him, maybe now they can come 'out of their shells'. I hope Kolo is given the armband. I would say Cesc, however I wouldn't be surprised if he leaves next season. Never mind. If he does leave I believe Denilson is a ready made replacement (for Cesc). I hope we sign Ryan Babel and Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Huntelaar scored the first ever goal at the emirates in DB's testimonial so that could be some sort of sign.

If Anelka does come to Arsenal, I think people will be very pleasantly surprised. His play for France has amazed me this year, and his attitude has completely turned around. Watching his very nurturing, mentoring, big-brotherlike interactions with Samir Nasri makes me think he'd fit in very well with Arsenal's young team. And his style of play (similar in many ways to Henry's) would fit so much better with Arsenal than with Bolton. And I think he would really have something to prove, coming back after the way he left before. And the price seems very reasonable.

Can you tell the thought of this trade excites me? Of all of the transfer rumors this season, this is the only one that I really care as to whether it happens or not.

Hi, Laurie. It's an interesting proposition. In some ways, it's hard to believe Anelka is only 28. He's been everywhere ya know. Either way, it's going to take more firepower that he can provide to replace Titi. But...if the Henry transfer rumour and price are correct, and if the board is still willing to let AW spend 30M more, there should be enough room with which to work. If they act soon, that is!

Trent, what's your opinion on the Anelka-to-Arsenal rumor?