Ed. Note - Please remember, these are the views of one individual. No need to get nasty in your responses…
Nobody is perfect. I have been defending Henry all season long whenever any critic emerged directing comment towards our star striker. And I was gutted when he lost out the FIFA World Player of the Year award to Zidane. He’s without a single doubt my choice of the BEST player in the world at the moment.
Nevertheless, Thierry’s display against Fulham on Sunday was “unacceptable”. On the wake of making history, to become the first team going whole season unbeaten since Preston North End a centuary ago, surely you would expect our players to be all fired up for it wouldn’t you? Most of our players did, at least in terms of effort, apart from Thierry. I can always accept a bad performance from a player, because everyone would have his share of off day every now and then, but I cannot accept the lack of effort.
Thierry, for whatever reason, seemed uninterested in the match. At times, particularly in the first half, we looked like we were taking on Fulham 10 against 11. And because of Reyes’ tremendous work rate, closing down opponents, chasing every loose ball, it made his striking partner looked even more lazy.
I can understand the competitive nature of Thierry Henry, perhaps he’s not as interested in matches with nothing really at stake. But when you look upon the captain Patrick Vieira, who had been playing through pain with a cracked rib, surely Theirry should draw inspiration and to show more professionalism shouldn’t he?
I want to spend a little time to talk about a bit of Reyes here as well. To be frank, I have had some doubts towards this kid’s ability to establish himself in the Premiership. No question of his technic, my only concern is his physical built, seems too lightweighted to me at the moment. But I love his attitude. The way he approaches the game, and chasing the lost clause reminds me a certain Ian Wright. A wonderul professional attitude in such a young age. I am a believer on when you get your attitude right, everything else will fall in the right track sooner or later.
15 Responses to “Thierry can learn a thing or two from Reyes and Paddy”
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May 10th, 2004 at 9:17 am
Andez, there was definitely a cavalier attitude to yesterday’s tie, and it was no better demonstrated then when Henry skied his second, sleepy-eyed corner into the stands. I wasn’t even sure he was having fun. He seemed, well, a wee bit annoyed by it all.
Even Wenger has stated that he doesn’t understand why the team isn’t enthusiastic about the streak. The look on his face from the bench was similar to that of a parent who must come into school to conference about their special-needs child. There’s only so much you can say or do, and then the rest is up to the child. Helpelessly he watched his champions ping-pong the sloppiest of one-touch passes into danger for the next 81 minutes, and then, brought alive by a sudden twinge of panic, scrap the ball back into another short possession. Hats off to Fulham, they closed in on the ball as if their lives depended on it. And three cheers for honorary Gunner Van Der Sar, that arrogant, and talented, stretch of a man.
My point is, the concept of winning the league by points as opposed to a final playoff is one of the things that can change the complexion of the game come this time of the season. The celebrations have already come and gone, and most of these guys have let out their pants. Reyes still has much to prove, and is having the time of his life and it shows. Ashley has yet to net one, and it shows as well. Ray Parlour wants back on the bench next year, and he outhustled Henry 5-1. It seems these next few games will be about tying up some very anti-climactic lose ends.
As for Henry, he’s done his job, with no loose ends to tie. Let the young’ns and the big back four close it up. For him, its time to relax, and there’s not a damn thing Le Prof can do about it.
One more last bit of energy from the boys on Saturday. I only wish I could be in Highbury when the party slides into the street!
May 10th, 2004 at 10:50 am
I couldn’t disagree with you more mate.
“As for Henry, he’s done his job, with no loose ends to tie. For him, its time to relax, and there’s not a damn thing Le Prof can do about it.”
Sorry, but that is complete and utter bullshit. Henry’s job to to play for Arsenal at 100% effort. If he’s having a poor game he should still put in the effort, and no less than 100%, no matter what’s at stake in the game.
Don’t get me wrong, I love having Henry in our team, but sometimes he needs a kick up the arse just like everyone else. Either Wenger or Paddy should have pulled him aside and told him to stop ***** around and start playing like we all know he can.
How much do you think he was paid for that pathetic display yesterday? ?60k - that’s how much!
May 10th, 2004 at 11:32 am
Actually, I agree with you. The way I wrote that bit kind of made it sound like I was siding with that attitude. Re-read it as what just might be coursing through Henry’s head, which is how I sort of half-assed meant it.
Although, even then, I’m being a bit sloppy. I don’t really think Henry is purposely being contemptuous, unwilling, or disrespectful to AW. Cocky? Yeah. Unmotivated? He’s got “the Boot” sewn up and Reyes seems to relish his position as game savior. I guess when someone is so untouchable as a player, it kind of stinks when they won’t give it all up for the game anymore. But its hard to complain. 60k for occasional flashes of mettle sounds monstrous out of context, but for me it’s really only an insult to the Fulham team and supporters who may take it as they don’t rate enough for his 100%.
Truth is, only the team knows what he’s like out there and on the training field, and as far as I can tell, the love-fest continues. Still, I just can’t help but think that he would want just ONE more goal to make it an even 30 in the EPL and to say a proper farewell to a season that saw him unequalled in his shared quest for immortality.
May 10th, 2004 at 11:35 am
I can actually see it from the likes Henry, Pires, Vieira, Sol and Cole’s point of view - they maybe saving themselves a bit for the up coming Euro 2004. Nobody would want to risk injury at this timing.
But going all season unbeaten will be a remarkable achievement. Only one team had one it before, but it was only in a 22-match season. And it’s unlikey another team would be able to repeat it in the forseeable future. There are plenty clubs which have won a Championship, no one can remember all of the Championship winning sides, but to win it without suffering a single defeat would put us in an unique place - that I’m pretty sure our current side’s achievement will not be forgotton by anyone for a long long time to come.
One more to go, with the trophy presentation afterward, in front of our home fans, imagine if we lose the match and blow the chance to create history, it would cast a hugh shadow in our trophy celebration. So for heaven’s sake, Henry and all the Gunners please hang in there just for 90 more minutes, put up a show and let us to fully enjoy the occassion!
May 10th, 2004 at 11:45 am
Scotty, remember at the end of 2002 season when we had already won the Premiership, Thierry needed a goal or two to edge out Shearer or Van Diver to win the Golden Boot, Bergkamp purposely set him up for a goal (despite Dennis himself in a great position to score), let’s hope the same sceniro will happen again! Thierry needs one more goal to join the 30-goal club.
I actually have a gut feeling we are going to put up a show at Leicester’s expense. Surely no one can hide in front of our home fans right?! Go Gunners, let’s make it a day to remember!
May 10th, 2004 at 12:10 pm
How about if I have a go at yall?!
You have GOT TO BE KIDDING with this stuff… REALLY!
Yes, let’s rip into Thierry Henry over a match that has no signficance to a title. That we are winning… and have in control!!
If Thierry Henry were out there running around like a wild man… and pulled a hamstring or broke an ankle, I’d REALLY be pissed off!!!
I’m sorry… but you can’t possibly expect all the players to go crazy over these last 4 matches. We won the title… all thats left is an undefeated streak. Yes, its WONDERFUL. ITS AMAZING. But, it is hardly going to motivate players to the degree that a match with big implications will have. Do you expect to see a great effort on Saturday from relegated teams, or teams with nothing to play for? Wouldn’t it be ridiculous or stupid for a star player to get injured in one of these matches… especially with EURO 2004 looming? Haven’t we played more matches than ANYONE ELSE?
Guys… enjoy this season…. and our team in cruise control on its way to HISTORY. We were never in jeopardy of losing Sunday’s match at ANY point. If we were, perhaps you might have seen a bit of urgency on our part. (and Henry’s)…
I don’t care if we draw 0-0 on Saturday… if Leicester are content with kicking the ball around a bit… thats fine. We are going to finish the season unbeaten. Find some dog to kick about, rather than complaining about the effort of Arsenal… the undefeated Champions, and the best player in the world. JUST ENJOY THE MOMENT.
May 10th, 2004 at 1:21 pm
Stag, if u remember, I believe I never complained of our team when they gave their best, regardless of the result. That’s why I stood up for the team despite our back to back FA Cup and Champions League exit. ‘Cos from what I seen, they had given their all despite the defeats.
What I cannot accept is players who are not willing to try. I understand Henry’s game is based on power and a brust of pace, he has to save up his energy in a match to be able to do that. Therefore I do not expect to see him running around chasing every lost clause. But he least thing he could do is to run into space when his teammates were starting an attacking run. On the first half against Fulham, in more than one occassion i saw Reyes or Cole or Pires starting a run down the left flank, Henry simply stood there ball watching. That was unacceptable.
Yes, I know the Euro 2004 is coming, players have the right to reserve a bit of their energy. But what about Cole? Sol? Paddy? Pires? Ljungberg? They will be going to Euro 2004 as well, but they kept on running for the team’s clause. Particular Patrick Vieira, he had suffered a crack rib in training, and had to play through the match with pain injection. Did Paddy hide? NO. That’s why frustrated me most about Henry’s display last Sunday. At the end of the day, he is a professional footballer. I didn’t expect he took on everybody day in and day out, but i expect EFFORT, regardless of the occassion. Perhaps I started following Arsenal from the George Graham era, I was too used to see our team playing with their heart out… There are plenty of professionals working in their daily life with nothing at stake, but they still have to do their job regardlessly.
May 10th, 2004 at 1:45 pm
All points are valid, here, I think. It all has to do with whether you’re simply making an observation, or are perturbed to a higher degree. I’m not kicking any dogs. Hell, I was prepared to see a few all-reserves sides take the pitch after we managed to clinch. But then along came all this monumental streaking into immortality stuff.
Of course, I think Arsene Wenger would disagree with you to some extent. Everyone expects them to do just enough, we don’t need more than a point, but I don’t know how you can say we were in no danger on Sunday. There was plenty of danger from where I was sitting, with a few strikes that could have made the difference, and much of it had to do with our lads dialed-in, ad hoc, Johnny-on-the-spot performances. We’re lucky we’re that cocksure to escape by the thinnest of skins.
All said and done, The Arsenal is perched on the precipice of EPL history. I just wish they wouldn’t make it so damned thrilling!
May 10th, 2004 at 2:27 pm
I completely disagree.
I am surprised at the degree of effort by some players… but its usually those who have something to show or prove. Why not have a go at the whole team for the efforts v. Birmingham ??
We didn’t even have a shot on goal.
There is NOTHING to play for.
Regardless of what you might think, going undefeated is not the motivation you might wish it was. Especially when we haven’t really been in trouble in ANY of the games since winning the title. They have all been against teams playing for NOTHING!
Geeeeeeeeeez……. get OVER IT…
you can expect whatever you DREAM of… he’s the finest footballer in the world, and has played in almost EVERY match of a long grueling season. I actually don’t think he played badly. If this is what you remember from this season… you have lost your mind! I’ll remember all the amazing goals Thierry Henry scored… and his amazing play. I can’t wait to see the well-rested genius ply his trade against England in Euro 2004.
May 10th, 2004 at 2:34 pm
???
I haven’t felt “threatened” the ENTIRE season in a league game. Surely at 0-0 with Fulham… who weren’t exactly controlling the play… wasn’t putting fear into our players. It reminded me of the previous games after we clinched. We are kicking the ball around, and the teams we are playing are doing much the same. They are NOT near the relegation battle or fighting for the CL berth either. Nobody get hurt… kick the ball around… lets go home happy. If VanderSar doesn’t blunder… its another 0-0 bore draw… with us up 1-0… Fulham would need 2 goals to end our streak. NO CHANCE of that happening at all. They could have played until midnite and it wouldn’t have happened.
We will have a similar match on Saturday with Leicester. Unless we decide we want to dance on their graves…. it will be a party atmosphere, and a kick about with nobody wanting to get injured.
May 10th, 2004 at 3:27 pm
I envy anyone who can relax during a game regardless of any apparent dominance we happen to be displaying. I don’t think I ever really felt easy this season until our thrashing of Pompey in the FA Cup. But I’m willing to attribute that to me and my scarred imagination.
Of course, the 1 nil comfort zone when you only need a point helped a bit, but anytime we’re away, one goal can change the momentum. Fulham were pressing, and getting half-chances. Sure, we’re the better team by half at any given time in any given game this season, but suddenly we were getting a little rattled and collecting little yellow pieces of cardboard. It only takes one mistake, and a few seconds of possession, to make the difference. Call me neurotic, but its how I think.
And I don’t think Fulham, and now Leicester on Saturday, really have the luxury to care about their position in the league at this point. Its probably why VDS was chuckling as he took the field after half time. But to beat us would make it all worth it. I saw much more than a kickabout coming from them. And frankly, there were moments there where that funny thing about the game could have turned against us. See: Portsmouth. One long ball after being on their heels for the entire half, and suddenly the record is in jeopardy.
We’re playing the edge, man. And that’s always risky. We’re good enough to do it, and frankly, its wishful to ask any more. But Wenger has come thisclose to demanding they give 100% at home this w/e. One team every year gets a trophy, sometimes two or three. Doesn’t even take a whole hand to count how many managers, worldwide, have accomplished going unbeaten.
May 10th, 2004 at 5:12 pm
What a wonderful half-issue to be discussing, with the title in the bag, and an unbeaten season just one match away!!!!
I understand that ANYTHING can happen… and often does. However, after playing this LOOOOOOONG season, of many difficult and big games, in all competitions… and securing the title with 4 to go… and having Euro 2004 on the horizon… I think we might be asking too much to see all of our players out there going on full throttle like its the FA CUP. Its NOT! Its not that they don’t care, or don’t want to acheive an undefeated season… it is simply not easy to get up for a match like this. We won. Thats all I want and can ask for at this point. I don’t expect Saturday to be a tremendous effort from our players. I’d expect it to be like the home match v.Everton 2 years ago. A PARTY! open play… they take the lead on us…. and huh? they aren’t supposed to do that!!! We’ll win or draw on Saturday… again… its all I can ask… the intensity level just isn’t gonna be there…
May 11th, 2004 at 5:37 am
Me too Scotty! Though I was pretty confidenced ahead of every match we played this season, when the kick off whistle blown, I had betterflies all over me!
May 11th, 2004 at 11:53 am
Whilst I agree that watching henry playing so awfully was slightly annoying, I’m certaonly not going to criticise him for it.
He’s 26, he has maybe 2 World Cups and 2 European Championships left in him, who knows what might happen in the future? He wants to play in Euro 2004 and he’s unlikely to break sweat if Arsenal can win or draw without him trying. Pires, Ljungberg, Vieira weren’t busting a gut either. reyes was, because he still wants to get in the Spain squad.
Having said that, it is unfortunate, because Reyes and Henry are wasting an opportunity to link up together as they will be the first choice partneship next season.
Personally, as long as we remain unbeaten I don’t care what the players do. Although I suspect they’ll pick up a liittle for the final home game at Leicester, but not much.
May 11th, 2004 at 1:42 pm
Dated back to 1991 season, when we had already won the league. We were 4 or 3 goals up at home against a team (which i can’t recall which it was), Winterburn messed up a clearance, and allowing opponents to score past Seaman. Big Dave was furious at Nutty. It was one of the Arsenal moment, though not a high-profile one, I would not forget. It showed how much our players cared, and their professionalism.
Perhaps I’m from the old school of thought,but that’s why I love Arsenal at the first place.