Thierry Henry leaves Arsenal.

Last night as the sports channel I watch for all my football information carried the story and heavy rumour that Henry was to move finally to Barcelona, I had a heavy heart. Arsenal's greatest ever goal scorer was leaving for certain reasons which were not football related. Henry had become destabilised by Arsene Wengers reluctance to commit to his future beyond his current deal which expires next year.
The whole american takeover bid headed by Kroenke and supported by David Dein (which ultimately saw him resign his position) which resulted in Dein leaving had also unsettled Henry. And so for these reasons Henry has decided that his eight fruitful years at Arsenal would come to an end. It appears that the meeting he had with Wenger was the final confirmation that it was best for him to leave. This is a very bad sign for those Arsenal fans who want Wenger to stay at the club beyond next year. Wenger has always honoured his contracts and will do so here also - but his current one lasts only until next year. I have to conclude that when Henry asked him if he was staying at the club longer than next year that at best Wenger could not positively say he would.
So after less than 24 hours of the knowledge that Thierry Henry is leaving Arsenal for Barcelona I have come to terms with the loss of Henry and even come to the realisation that this is perhaps the best senario for all parties, Arsenal have made what some may say a sound business deal, 17 million for a 29 year old who had just had an injury plagued season and whom was earning a reported 120,000 a week. To be able to remove that wage burden and also get a further 17 million for the inevitable signing of the replacement Arsenal needs desperately...but more on that later. Some have said that it was on the cheap side and did Arsenal try to get Eto'o as part of a swap deal. These details may emerge at a later date.
Henry's influence in my opinion had become so big that it actually hindered some of the other players at the club. These players now have the opportunity to grow and develop into world class players in their own right. I have no doubt that Gilberto Silva will now become captain of the club and Cesc Fabregas will be a candidate for vice captain and also even Kolo Toure will be considered. As previously stated Henry was never convincing Captaincy material and the role may even have hindered his game. He will now have 3-4 years at the top with Barcelona in what may seem like a dream team. If I was a Barcelona fan I would be slightly concerned about how exactly all of these glamour players will be able to play together and how the balance of the whole team will be. Will one or two of the big name players have to sit some games out. Of course there will be no way of knowing if Henry will stay injury free as last season he had a very injury prone year. Thierry Henry I wish you the best of luck but life at Arsenal will go on.

The future of Arsenal football club is now really at a cross roads. With the departure of Henry, Wenger whose own future is clouded in doubt must show the other players that the club can compete for all the major honours, this means a suitable replacement for the outgoing captain. The name I immediately thought about was Obafemi Martins, a player who last season came from Inter Milan to Newcastle and one whom seems to have settled very well in his first season in the premiership scoring 17 goals. Newcastle fans will be nervous indeed, another name who has cropped up is Fernando Torres of Athletico Madrid. This would be a major statement of intent from the club as it would not be a minor amount of money. Torres would show the world that Arsenal were a serious force in the transfer market. Other names have been Michael Owen and David Trezeguet but these players are like Henry in the respect that they have seen their best years already and may be past their best.The players also need a statement from Wenger but it seems like this will not be coming so soon, so in the next few days and weeks the existing players need to see the intent of the club in signing some top class players. In the past Wenger has said he is looking for some super world class players and the board has always said that there is money there to be spent. Add 17 million to that from Henry's transfer (a far higher fee than Barcelona wanted to pay) and Wenger has a significant war chest to go out and buy a player that will compliment Van Persie and Adebayor and Niklas Bendtner. Those clubs who Arsenal wish to but from now will know that there is money burning a hole in Wengers pocket and wont sell on the low side. The next week or two will be very crucial in Arsenals short term future. Will Arsenal be a force again? My answer right now is yes, I do however want to see who will be coming in now. I would be relatively happy with any two from this trio...Obafemi Martins/Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel.

F1 safety standards saves Kubica's life.

This incident occured as I watched the Canadian grand prix yesterday. Robert Kubica touched another wheel of a driver and he was launched into the air and slammed into a concrete wall and rolled back across the track sideways to the other concrete wall. As you can see the cockpit remained intact and only the peripheral machinery like wheels and wings for downforce made of plastic material came apart. As a result of the safety of these cars the driver sustained only minor injury in breaking a leg. The crash was fierce but thankfully Kubica will race again.