I have heard a lot of people talking about this matter in recent days and it is a very valid point. Are Arsenal really better without one of Europe's top striker's or not. Well, Arsenal have started the season in superb fashion with 3 wins and 1 draw and are looking like a team that may yet challenge for the title. When Henry left earlier in the Summer, people questioned if Arsenal could realistically compete with both Chelsea and United at the top of the table. Henry had played for the club for 8 seasons and in my view 1 season too many.
Before the start of last season Henry had decided to commit to the Gunners and to captain the side into a new era, with the whole new stadium thing, but he had been the centre of a lot of speculation throughout the close season. During last season Henry was plagued by injury and only played in half as many games as he would of liked. The fact that he didn't play much is why I feel, he decided to move to Barcelona this Summer and leave the club that meant so much to him.
Henry was always said to be one of the nice guys at Arsenal, helping the younger players to develop into the first team squad but since he has left the younger players seem to have come out of their shell and started to express themselves on the pitch by playing some sumptuous football.
I was listening to the views of Jamie Redknapp on Sky Sports this evening, and he made a very valid point that whenever Henry was playing last season, the younger players always seemed to try and pass to Henry as if he would get annoyed at them if they didn't. No one can doubt that Henry was one of the best players in the world whilst at Arsenal but I feel as though Arsenal are probably better off without him and have now got a much better team spirit since he departed.
