Thierry Henry has become as important to Arsenal as Jonny Wilkinson is to England’s
world rugby champions. He’s surely in the finest form of his career; and not just
with goals like his double at San Siro. He’s making them as well as scoring them, as
he showed with three ‘assists’ against Birmingham and Inter. Arsene Wenger says:
‘He’s scoring at important moments and he’s providing that final ball
too.’ Heaven help Arsenal if Henry is sidelined for a long spell.
Inter were a shadow of the team that won at Highbury. They’ve been in freefall since
losing the Milan derby. That slump cost coach Hector Cuper his job. New coach Alberto
Zaccheroni’s new ‘trident’ formation, with three attackers, played into
Arsenal’s hands. This time, they took advantage. Where do Arsenal go from here? To
victory over Lokomotiv Moscow and a place in the Champions League last 16, we hope. Longer
term, the future of the new stadium continues to cast a giant shadow.
Wenger has worked wonders keeping Arsenal at the top of the Premiership and rebuilding
their European challenge. He has pulled another rabbit out of the hat by switching Kolo
Toure to partner Sol Campbell – and saved the Gunners a big fee. But he needs money
to add cover, let alone find long-term replacements for Martin Keown and Dennis Bergkamp.
A long Champions League run would bring in valuable cash. Meanwhile, the loaning of Gio
van Bronckhorst to Barcelona and Franny Jeffers to Everton emphasises Arsenal’s
financial situation. That means Wenger must compete with Manchester United and Roman
Abramovich’s Chelsea legion – never mind Europe’s elite – almost with
one hand behind his back.
Arsenal director Danny Fiszman said at the club’s AGM in October: ‘We have a
fixed price contract agreed with (building contractors) Sir Robert McAlpine. They’ve
been outstanding so far. Depending on financing, we’re ready to start construction in
the first quarter of next year [2004]’. There have been rumours, unconfirmed, that
another Russian ‘oligarch’ is interested in backing Arsenal financially. That
would be one way of solving the problem!
The ideal scenario is that Arsenal secure funding, build the stadium, and make cash
available for Wenger to strengthen the squad. Then the extra revenue from 60,000 crowds
would give the Gunners the financial clout to compete with United and Chelsea. The
nightmare scenario is that Arsenal can’t finance the development and have to sell the
likes of Henry and Patrick Vieira. It may be a close-run thing.
This is the last N16 of 2003, so it’s time to reflect on the year. Some random
thoughts...
Best moments: the wins at Liverpool and Inter
Worst moments: Giggs’s goal at Highbury in April; losing at home to Leeds and
Inter
Best goal: Henry’s first at San Siro – a masterclass of first time
passing with a lethal finish
Star player: Henry, by a street
Most improved player: Toure
Hopes for 2004 (on-field): success in the Champions League and the Premiership; an
end to the Gunners’ succession of suspensions – which would greatly aid the
first aim!! Vieira fully fit again. Freddie Ljungberg to rediscover his form of the 2001-2
run-in.
Hopes for 2004 (off-field): solid progress on the stadium development
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