Think of the great Wenger teams and what do they have in common? Team spirit, that's what. So Thierry has gone, am I bovvered? Well in a fairytale ideal world he would have stayed and captained us to CL glory and retired with the good will of all, but if we know anything about professional football, we know that fairy tales can turn into nightmares, and quickly. So no, I am not concerned, and here's why...

If Theirry was going to stay and Arsenal were to succeed, he would have to be the Thierry of a couple of years back, and with the best will in the world that wasn't going to happen. Yes he still has bags of talent that can make up for his diminishing speed, but the issue is the man not the player. Don't worry, this isn't going to turn into a Thierry slagging, but the team we have now is significantly different to the team he grew up in. We play differently and not everything can go through Thierry any more, so frankly I have my doubts as to how well he could fit in to the team forming now long-term. When you have one big star player, whatever he does effects not just the team, but the whole club. It's not Thierry's fault, it's just the way it is. Whilst he was still at Arsenal he was pretty much untouchable, at least without an immense loss of face. I think we all expected him to take more of a supporting role in the coming seasons, after all Bergy did, and that's what Bergy chose. I suspect when Thierry 'chose' Barca it was a similar sort of choice. Don't get me wrong, I think he will in all probability do well in the slower paced game in Spain. I hope he does, just not against us in the CL. In fact I hope we win the CL before he does, not out of spite, but because I want success for Arsenal. Thierry Henry is now an Arsenal memory, there's no point in being bitter, he's now nothing to do with us going forward. And if Arsenal are to go forward, Thierry would have at some point to have had the captaincy removed and become more of a bit part player, which may have been difficult for both him and Wenger. Him leaving may have been the easiest option for all. I am of the opinion that 16m wasn't a bad price actually, we may get more with bonuses, but we have made a good profit and had the best years of an exceptional talent into the bargain. Suggestions that certain other players being bought by Spuds mean that we should have got more only points to how badly they got shafted on that one.

For the record I think he did genuinely regret leaving, I've seen happier players being introduced at their new club, but the initial reasons he gave don't stack up to give sufficient motivation, which is why I think he was given a choice by Arsene and that was the real reason. I think he also realised how bad it might work out for Arsenal if possible signings let alone the current squad thought Le Prof was out of the door as could have been construed from his comments. Thus the interview on Arsenal.com which I freely admit I read with a slight lump in my throat.

So who am I annoyed with? Well Barca for a start, or at least those destabilising Thierry on their behalf even if without the clubs knowledge. I don't think it mattered in the end as stated above, but it was pretty despicable none the less. Secondly the Board at Arsenal. There really have to be some changes, particularly if they are really interfering with Arsene's suggested purchases. They may not like Anelka, and quite frankly he doesn't exactly help himself, but if Arsene thinks he's the man then they should just get the cheque book out, end of. Do I reckon Anelka can do the business? Yes if Arsene thinks he can. Holding grudges is all very well, but if it works against the Club, it's utter nonsense. I would love to see Tevez personally now the 'Ammers have brought him up to speed, not sure about Owen due to his injuries. He is the sort of player we need and the passing game we play would give him loads of chances, so that's a maybe. I still think Reyes would have been perfect for the current team, but that boat has left so anyone who has his skills but a stronger mentality would be good.

Of course the whole question of whether Arsene will leave I think comes down to the board. If he has their full support, why would he leave? He will never be in the position of power he is in now at any other club. It's up to the board to convince him and the best way to do that would be to bring Double D back. I also wouldn't be too upset to see certain board members 'retire' whether Silent Stan takes over or not. They have a year to sort it out with Arsene, but the smart money suggests it must be sooner. After all, players join Arsenal in the hope that Arsene can do for them what he did for others. If they don't think he will be around after a years time, why would they sign?