Henry the returning hero

Henry netting last night winner against Leeds United

If the excitement surrounding the return of a hero hadn't already been stirred up enough, the antics of last night have certainly whipped a furore around the Emirates.  The sight of Thierry Henry netting a 78th minute winner just ten minutes after taking to the field has captured the imagination of football fans worldwide.  Well, all except a small pocket of Yorkshire where thousands thought their team were to gain a reply aginst Arsenal for the second season running.

Already immortalised outside the stadium of his beloved club, the Frenchman's celebration exuded the sheer delight of scoring on his second debut.  Arsene Wenger summed up the situation saying:  "He is a special player, he was already a legend here and he just added a bit more to the whole story."

While Henry himself remarked:  "I came back from holiday 15 days ago. I never thought I was going to play for Arsenal again or score a winner. "I don't know what to say. I love the club and I hope I can do more.
"I hope it won't be the last one. The feeling I had when I scored was amazing.
"I rejoined the club as a fan; before I wasn't. 
"Scoring a goal when you support the team, now I know how some of the guys who played for Liverpool or Man United or Chelsea felt when they scored a goal for the club they support."

Celebrating for New York Red Bulls

Doubts were raised when the news inevitably broke.  Weren't their more appropraite younger options available who would be a benefit for the longer term, and how would so many of the squad cope playing with someone they openly admit is a hero.  All that though has already been dispelled, and Simon Garyson's remark that it was "written in the stars" for Henry to grab the winner summing up the occasion.

The way in which he left in 2007 is now well and truly forgotten, when rumors of squad fall outs led to his desire to move on to Barcelona.  His 227th goal in 371 appearances, including 12 in 12 against Leeds, is surely going to be added to during his two month loan spell from New York Red Bulls.

Whatever rollercoaster is ahead during this stint, it will be a pleasure to watch a master at work at a club which will forever be in his heart.

Arsenal

The Gunners have huge title aspirations ahead of the new season, but after six seasons without a trophy and persistent rumours of exits is that realistic? One big name has already left, two more and mooted to be following and as yet Arsene Wenger doesn't seem too concerned. The Frenchman who a few years ago seemed invincible is starting to divide opinion, can he silence those critics in the 2011/2012 campaign.

Goalkeeper

It seem like this has forever been the troubled spot for Arsenal, with fans for the last couple of years blaming this as a lack of failure. Jens Lehmann brought back last year, with rotation/injuries seeming all three regular keepers, Manuel Almunia, Wojciech Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski, all given chances to impress but failing to do so. A reliable man between the sticks is a must have for any side, and despite the stubborn 'I know best' attitude that Wenger seems to have adopted in recent times, unless he rectifies this situation his barren streak will continue.

Defence

 

With Thomas Vermaelen back this term after a lay off last season, what seemed a slightly leeky defence, especially from set pieces, could be slightly patched up. Although that doesn't take away from the fact new additions are needed, and fast. Defenders were already a priority before Gael Clichy headed up north, so now they are needed more than ever. Despite Wengers insistence that his defence held it's own last year, it was clear to see it simply did not. As already mentioned, conceeding too many from set pieces can be a huge problem. Continue the trend this season and trouble will undoubtedly follow.

Midfield

There certainly isn't ever a lack of creativity in the middle of the park at The Emirates, but two of the usual suspects could be off anytime soon. Samir Nasir seems to have been linked to everyone of note, Manchester City more than most, while Cesc Fabregas' on off move back to Barcelona wore thin years ago but could come to a head this summer. Add that to the other 'squad' players rumoured to be going and Arsenal could find themselves a little short. The wise old heads need a good season, and from and England perspective the contunine rise of Jack Wilshire wouldn't be too bad.

Forward

This doesn't seem to be a big problem, with no doubt one of the Leagues finest in Robin Van Persie, if they can keep him fit, gracing their front line. Ivorian Gervinho has also arrived, although he could operate out wide if needed, along with Marouane Chamakh who failed to replicate his early season from and drifted off. The Morrocan international certainly needs to find some form, and goals, this season. Nicklas Bendtner seems out of the door already, but it will be this postion which is bottom of the list for strenghthening.

Manager

It is of no doubt to any of the footballing world the massive impact Wenger has had on the English game, with his brand of football also a joy to behold. But the bottom line is good football only gets you so far, and trophies are what the paying fans, shareholders, owners and players crave. Another barren season and a man who is already starting to have his doubters, could just find himself out of a job.

Areas to Strengthen

Phil Jagielka is the latest of a long list of Defenders that has been linked with a move to Arsenal this summer, with one target in Phil Jones already having signed for rivals Manchester United and the Gary Cahill front going cold. Well for now anyway. But it could be unlikely that there will be a huge influx of activity until the futures of the aforementioned Fabregas and Nasri are sorted out. Defenders are certainly needed, a strong goalkeeper wouldn't hurt and if those two do go some midfielder dynamo's will have to be added.

Expectation

A title bid has become the norm of expectations nowadays, with good showings in both domestic and european competition craved. It could perhaps be a little early to just this side, with a month of the transfer window still left and a long of ins and outs expected. Although even at this early stage it does seem that a title tilt could be out of reach, as could, dare I say it, a place in the top four.

Odds
 
9/1 (Sky Bet)

Players in

Gervinho £10.5m (Lille) Carl Jenkinson £1m (Charlton Athletic)Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain £15m (Southampton) Jon Toral undisclosed (Barcelona) Hector Bellerin undisclosed (Barcelona) Andre Santos £6m (Fenerbache) Joel Campbell undisclosed (deportivo Saprissa) Park Chu-Young undisclosed (Monaco) Per Mertesacker undisclosed (Werder Bremen) Mikel Arteta £10m (Everton) Yossi Benayoun loan (Chelsea)

Players out

Gael Clichy £7m (Manchester City) Jay Emmanuel-Thomas £1.1m (Ipswich Town) Cesc Fabregas undisclosed (Barcelona) Samir Nasir £24m (Manchester City) Emmanuel Eboue undisclosed (Galatasaray) Armand Traore undisclosed (Queens Park Rangers)  Mark Randall free (Chesterfield) Roarie Deacon free (Sunderland) Jamie Edge free (West Bromwich Albion) Gilles Sunu undisclosed (Lorient) Denilson loan (Sao Paulo) Thomas Cruise (released) Wellington loan (Levante) Carlos Vela loan (Real Sociedad) Pedro Botelho loan (Rayo Vallecano) Henri Lansbury loan (West Ham United) Nicklas Bendtner loan (Sunderland) Joel Campbell loan (Lorient)

Transfer flops: Francis Jeffers

A teen prodigy at Everton, and another in a long line to have fallen by the wayside. A teen debutant at Old Trafford in 1997, it seemed like Francis Jeffers was going to take the Premier League by storm but what do we know?

After averaging around one goal every three games at Goodison Park, an infamous row with then manager Walter Smith over a pay rise spelt the end of his time on Merseyside. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger took a punt on the 'fox in the box', but he couldn't live up to the tag.

At around £8m he was one of Arsenal's most expensive signings, but poor performances and injury limited his playing time. Eventually leading to his Highbury exit. A loan at Everton didn't provide a single goal, and he was then quickly sold to Charlton in 2004. Despite a two year stay Jeffers couldn't even muster half a dozen goals, and since that move to The Valley he plied his trade at seven clubs in as many years

His travels have seen him move up and down England, before an unsuccessful stint at Australia side Newcastle United Jets. However he is now back in Britain and the Scottish Premier League, with Motherwell now giving the fallen idol a home.

Since leaving Arsenal in 2001 Jeffers hasn't even managed over 20 goals. That illustrates the fabulous fall from grace which the Liverpool born front man has endured.

Time for England's new breed

Tomorrow night the World Cup flops who carried the hopes of a nation on their shoulders this summer, roll back into town and take centre stage of Wembley.

Fabio Capello's troops face Hungary, a side ranked significantly lower in the Fifa World Rankings and one that should be tossed a side with little complaint.

However there are new faces in this squad, players who given a good performance could replace some of the World Cup 'stars' on a permanent basis.

Kieran Gibbs and Jack Wilshere are the most exciting of the new inclusions, with the Arsenal youngsters set to be main stays of the national side for years to come.

That is if they get enough game time for their clubs, which shouldn't be a problem give the fact that Arsene Wenger has rejected loan bids for some of his young stars.

Fellow Gunner Theo Walcott is also back, with Adam Johnson, Phil Jagielka, Joe Hart, and Bobby Zamora amongst others also getting a chance to impress the Italian.

Hart and Johnson are also future stars in the making, but the rest with have to put in a sterling performance to impress a deflated nation.

Hungary, boosted by Fulham man Zoltan Gera, aren't expected to do much in this game but secretly could just fancy their chance.

After all they are playing a side in disarray, deflated after a poor summer and further rocked by retirements of players called into the squad for this game.

What ever you think of Paul Robinson and Wes Brown though will be irrelevant come kick off, all eyes will be the Wembley pitch where a win is a must!

If either a poor display, a loss or both occur Capello really could have a problem on his hands with just a month to go until the European Championship qualifiers.

All this needless flirting!

Is there anyone else out what thinks a final decision should be made about the sale of Cesc Fabregas?

I understand some people may point to the fact there has been other transfer sagas that have gone on for longer, think Gareth Barry and Cristiano Ronaldo, but this eclipses them all.

In the other two cases neither player made such a statement to the leave the club, although i know they both stated publicly on a few occasions.

But Fabregas seems to be stating it weekly, with a debatable plea to stay at Arsenal made a few weeks ago seemingly throwing his desires into disarray.

The fact is he has grown up a Barcelona fan, I presume you knew the other club in question, and it is inevitable he will leave to go back to Catalonia.

He is a self confessed fan of the Spanish Champions, constantly wishing them to do well and no doubt deep down wishing he was there himself.

Arsenal's, or Arsene Wenger's, refusal to invest heavily in the transfer market has no doubt sealed his fate.

The years of no success could be too much to handle for the youngster, despite his love of London and the Emirates based side.

It is at times unbelievable to believe that Fabregas is just 23 years of age, after so many years of being the lynchpin in the Gunners side.

But this incessnant flirting needs to come to an end sooner rather than later.

The constant public desires to stay far outnumber the one he made to stay at the club, while the latest debacle at the Spanish World Cup celebrations should be the final nail in the coffin.

'Forced' to don a Barcelona shirt, Liverpool 'keeper Pepe Reina (another ex-Barcelona player) then hailed him "the future of Barcelona".

These fluttering eye lashes aren't just all one way, as Arsenal seem to be kidding themselves into believing.

If sold now it would benefit both sides.

Barcelona would be getting the player they consider one of there own, after growing up in the much lauded Barca academy.

While Arsenal would have plenty of cash to re-invest in a squad that looks some way off the pace.

I know selling the best player would be largely criticised, however look what happened after the sale of Theirry Henry.

If Wenger could work that magic again, while splashing the cash Arsenal could find themselves in with a very real shout of the Premiership title.