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.

Finsceal Beo gets me off the mark.

Horseracing tip number 3, Finsceal Beo won quite readily for me over the weekend at odds of 4/5. Not world beating stuff but a good winner whatever the price is always welcome. I had been negative 2 but now I am getting back some of my losses, now negative 1.2.

Nurnberg deny Stutgart the double.

Congratulations to Nurnberg.....a city where I have very fond memories and many good friends. I have been at Nurnberg's stadium a few times and the atmosphere there has been fantastic.

Here is an exerpt from "Sportinglife.com"........

Nurnberg won the DFB-Pokal for the first time in 45 years after edging an entertaining affair against the 10 men of Bundesliga champions Stuttgart. The Bavarians needed extra-time to finally claim the advantage in one of the most exciting cup finals in recent years. Cacau had put Stuttgart ahead in the 20th minute, but Marek Mintal soon replied before Cacau was given his marching orders on the half-hour mark. It was advantage Nurnberg when Marco Engelhardt headed home two minutes after the break, but just as Hans Meyer's side were beginning to celebrate, Stuttgart were awarded a penalty which Pavel Pardo swept in to force extra-time. A Jan Kristiansen strike just after the first period of extra-time then sealed the win for Nurnberg, earning them their first piece of silverware since 1968.

Having won the Bundesliga title seven days ago, Stuttgart were hoping to complete the double by breaking their seasonal jinx against Nurnberg. The Bavarians were the only side to twice beat the Swabians in the Bundesliga this year. It looked like that was about to change, though, when former Nurnberg striker Cacau beat the onrushing Rafael Schafer to put Armin Veh's side in front. The lead lasted seven minutes before Mintal brought Nurnberg level, starting and finishing a move which involved Bastian Reinhardt sending in a cross from the wing for the Slovakian to divert in. The turning point of the game came minutes later when Cacau was shown a red card for aiming a punch at Andreas Wolf.
With just 10 men, Stuttgart found it more difficult to create any chances. Early in the second half, Engelhardt finally put Nurnberg ahead, heading Javier Pinola's cross past Timo Hildebrand.

The Nurnberg fans were beginning to celebrate when referee Felix Brych gave Stuttgart the chance to get back on terms from the spot. Mario Gomez fell under the challenge of Schafer and, although the ball was running harmlessly out for a goal kick, the intervention was judged worthy of a spot-kick, and Pardo swept it in in the 80th minute. Extra time it was, then, and once again it was Nurnberg who made their one-man advantage count, particularly as Stuttgart began to tire.

Four minutes into the second period, Kristiansen stole the morning headlines with a wonder-strike from almost 30 yards. It was a goal worthy of winning any match and as it cannoned in off the underside of the bar, the Nurnberg fans began to celebrate, this time with the result not challenged.

Jockey Fran Berry.

Here is an exerpt from Irish-Racing from last week....

"There was also a double on the card for champion jockey Declan McDonagh who got Hard Rock City back to winning ways on his seasonal debut to complete the two timer. In a dramatic contest the Michael Grassick trained seven year old got up by a half a length from the game Duff in second. Duff was ridden by Fran Berry who's irons snapped leaving stalls and following an uncomfortable spin around was unlucky not to hold on."

I saw this race last week and watched in amazement as Frans footing in the stirrups were lost. I felt at that stage that his mount "Duff" had no chance of registering any kind of result. And yet as the group approached the last furlong it appeared that the pairing might in fact get an unlikely win. Fran was riding this horse at a very high pace and with no real control over his balance in the saddle there was no sign of him taking the easy way out and just saving himself. He cojoled his horse to give everything and it was great shame that in the end he got worn down to finish runner up. I felt sure that he would have won this race had he not have had that misfortune and Fran lost nothing in coming second.

Fran has been a long time friend of my brothers and for a long time now I have been following his racing career with interest. There are a lot of good jockeys in Ireland and Fran does not always get the kind of good rides he deserves but with the rides he does get he has proved well up to the task. It is a difficult lifestyle and I wish him the best in the future. I take delight in watching his every victory and just yesterday he had a nice victory on "Munnings" at the Curragh, his home venue.

Horseracing week 3.

Last time my selection "My Paris" was narrowly beaten into second place leaving me with a negative 2 points, and still having no winners.
This week, in an effort to recoup those losses I am going for "Finsceal Beo" at the Curragh in the Irish 1000 Guineas. It will be a short enough price, maybe evens. Lets hope I can get a winner today.

Manchester United miss chance to assert their position.

Manchester United had the chance to beat Chelsea not only today but for what could possibly would have been a large part of next season. United had only beaten Chelsea previously on one occasion and having successfully wrestled the premiership title away from the londoners, today was the perfect opportunity to assert that dominance. They did have chances to do so, and now may regret the fact that they did not win this game.
Who will now know what the effect of Chelsea losing today would have meant as the club may have transpired to lose certain personel and second guess the season that has just concluded. As it stands the season has not been an outstanding one for Chelsea but however it has not been a terrible one. The victory in the F.A. Cup will have put a positive spin on the club and now they will have the holidays and summer to re-group and come back stronger for the challenge of regaining the premiership. The competition for the main prizes again seem to be coming from Manchester United, Chelsea and I think Arsenal will be there also if they can get off to a good start particularly. This season has concluded with no apparent top dog in the english game. Yes United did win the league but today Chelsea have stated that they are going to be vying for that position also, they have stated their hunger for the fight. Arsenal -if injury free- can join the fight for the title next year, but for now United have lost the psychological initiative.