Ok, everybody, with the World Cup and other activities I haven’t been able to keep up with the content here at ArseAm.com HQ. Expect to see several stories a day for the next couple of days as we clear on the cue. For those of you new to Arsenal America, we like to let our members have their say. You all have a right to say what you think, and the rest of us have the right to agree or, more likely, shout you down! Remember a couple of things if you plan on submitting a piece:
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2. Have an opinion, don’t just provide a quote from somewhere else (exception that proves the rule below).
Here’s a somewhat different take on Henry, from the International Herald Tribune:
Zidane and Vieira, despite their occasional ill-temper, and the serene central defender Lilian Thuram, offer constant reminders that it is possible to be a great soccer player and a mature human being. Henry meanwhile pouts and postures. Everyone has a colleague like Henry. Nothing is ever his fault. He is particularly tough on those below him in the hierarchy. After hitting one pass far beyond Frank Rib?ry, his gestures made it clear to all that he was admonishing the youngest player in the team. Rib?ry knows the score. Henry is allowed to do this. It is the price of his talent. Rib?ry is a fast-rising star but like a good office junior he meekly shrugged and waved his hands in apology.
11 Responses to “Is Henry a Bad Teammate?”
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July 24th, 2006 at 8:39 pm
Well, if you’ve been feeding off Bergkamp for the past 6 or so years, you’d get pouty with just about anyone else.
Let Henry’s assists tell their own story.
July 24th, 2006 at 9:49 pm
I think the big deal with Henry is the team is a bunch of youngsters that haven’t proven they’re capable of winning championships, that’s unfamiliar to them. This is also a new Arsenal to Henry.
Arsenal had just won the double a year before he came. This team were full of champions and no way was some young hotshot French kid with an attitude going to come in and be a poor team mate; not while the captain was Tony Adams. They had just gotten rid of one of those. Henry wasn’t jackshit to those guys.
Now only Lauren and Ljunberg have been around as long as he has. Even when the legends left, Arsenal brought in players like Pires, Wiltord, Campbell, and Lehmann to help. Now, they are bringing in players like Diaby and Song, or sometimes nobody and hope reserves can show quality.
He’s seen his help leave. It’s got to be tough for him. It’s like he’s Superman but he’s got to fight the entire Legion of Doom by himself because the rest of the Invincible Justice League was retired by Arsenal. Now it’s just Superman and he’s stuck with a bunch of sidekicks to fight the forces of evil.
Henry had the chance to join another Justice League in Spain but decided to stay. This is tough for him and he’s not coping very well. That doesn’t make him a bad team mate. He’s trying his best.
July 24th, 2006 at 10:03 pm
A bad teammate?
Seeing that he usually is amongst the LEADERS in assists every year… and that he has grown into the captaincy in his first year, I don’t see how you come up with this being plausible.
Have you heard any grumblings from his teammates? I haven’t… not even from Reyes.
Give me 20 teammates like Henry.
July 24th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
Henry makes his teammates better and better. He does. Yeah maybe he made those gestures. So what? May be those gestures made the player at the end of the ball more motivated to get those off balls. Who knows. I certainly believe fabregas is one of those who benefited from Henry. His passing is improving tremendously for a 19 year old kid. I managed to see some arsenal clips for 05-06 season. I do see a better fabregas.
July 25th, 2006 at 12:57 am
There’s more to being a (good) teammate than simply whether you perform (and show unselfishness) on the field… I am not necessarily subscribing to the views expressed by the International Herald Tribune writer, but notice that his comments are not directed at Henry’s playing skills or accomplishments, but rather at Henry’s less tangible contributions to (against?) team morale– and notice that the comments are focused on Henry’s actions in the French team, which was chockfull of experience and trophy winners every bit as accomplished as Henry, and more, so any excuses regarding Arsenal’s lack of same last year would seem to miss the author’s point.
July 25th, 2006 at 1:22 am
I think it’s unfair to say that Henry is a bad teammate. But yes, there is some element of truth in saying that he is a difficult teammate. The reason is because he is a selfless player. That’s why he gelled so well with Bergkamp and Pires. That’s why he is struggling with others like RvP. Here is an example -
RvP is in the box. He has an 80% chance of scoring. Henry is also in the box. RvP can pass to Henry. Henry has an 81% chance of scoring. In Henry’s book, RvP must pass even if there is only 1% better chance of scoring. In RvP’s book (or that of any striker), 80% chance is enough to take a shot at goal. Who is right?
I don’t know. But I will say this - if RvP scored as much as RvN, we would not be having this discussion. The problem is that although RvP has a good shooting record, he doesn’t score as many goals. With Reyes, it’s even worse. His decision making is aweful and it frustrates everyone, not just Henry. If Reyes scored like he did against Chelsea in the FA Cup two years ago, will anyone be complaining that he didn’t pass?
When Henry was made captain, I didn’t think it was the right move. But he has definitely grown into that role. Now Fabregas and Hleb have also settled into the team as playmakers and passers. Rosicky has also joined. That should help Henry as it will decrease the pressure on him.
July 25th, 2006 at 3:15 am
I like the way you put things !!! Well said there ….Henry is the heartbeat of Arsenal and he knows it. And the thing is it tires him. He wants the rest of the squad to take the load off his shoulders which lads like song and Adebayor are not capable of doing…
July 25th, 2006 at 4:02 am
Bad…never
Demanding….yes
Are the pouts and looks positive? Probably not.
Bergkamp and Pires were the selfless ones IMO and helped make the legend that is Henry
I feel sorry for Reyes. For me he is simply too similar to Henry. He needs Henry’s position in the team and obviously can’t have it. Maybe he should change flanks?
RvP had a tricky year but when fit did ok - most strikers are selfish and single-minded, it’s what makes them good.
Henry’s ammo sources in 2006 is likely to come from Hleb, Rosicky and Fab.
July 25th, 2006 at 4:28 am
Mission accomplished: post a ridiculous quote from someone who clearly knows nothing and sit back and wait for the tide of responses, including me…dammit!
July 25th, 2006 at 8:03 am
Titi is a fantastic teammate, but his personality is to be emotional and expressive. I don’t think it affects those around him as much as it does the fans.
In fact, I watched the replay of the DB10 testimonial last night and I had to laugh…even there Titi was making his faces at Ian Wright and Dennis when he tried to set them up and they botched it. And then he went and hugged them all and lifted Dennis on his shoulders. He always wants to lift his teammates, he just has a pout or two here and there.
The media and the fans make too much of it, I think. He’s a great player, teammate and becoming a great leader. So he’s got a Gallic temperament. On a man of such perfection, these things show up like a neon sign.
Viva la Henry!
July 25th, 2006 at 10:57 am
Yes, Henry was frustrated during this WC. The tension between the “everything runs through Zidane” offense and Henry’s ideas were well known before the Cup and was lurking in each match. It was a fascinating aspect of WM2006, watching France make their run without the dominating Henry performance that EPL watchers know so well.
But Henry’s frustration was about results on the pitch - not personal. He is a player with very high standards, for himself and his teammates. I wouldn’t want it any other way. That’s not a bad teammate, that’s a leader. And that’s why he’s our captain.