After that famous successful season, many of these players moved on and the Gunners quickly became a one man team…and his name was Thierry Henry.
Henry, arguably the greatest striker to have ever graced the premiership, kept Arsenal's status as a top four team alive but only just. North London Rivals, Tottenham Hotspur have twice pushed them right the to the finish line for their fourth spot and a place in the Uefa Champions League.
If Henry was injured, the team did not look right and suddenly the rest of the players believed he was essential in their success. Heavily relying on the Frenchman proved costly and despite their plethora of talent, never exceeded fourth place.
The sale of Henry to Barcelona in the summer proved at first to be a blessing in disguise as the players realised they did not actually need him for success and that they had enough talent throughout the rest of the squad to achieve something. A fantastic start to the season has seen the Gunners climb to and maintain their place at the top of the table. However, staying up there is a whole different ball game.
Since Henry's departure, 20 year old Spanish midfielder, Cesc Fabregas has come into his own and developed into one of the most promising young talents in world football. What Arsenal fans should worry about is that he does not become such a focal point for the rest of the players that he becomes heavily relied upon, like Henry was.
The last two matches Arsenal have played have been without the Spaniard due to injury and they have failed to win. A 1-1 draw at Newcastle and a 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough hardly inspire a great deal of confidence in the rest of the team. With Chelsea up next, the team either need to hope Fabregas is fit or start to believe once again that they do still have that talent throughout the rest of the squad, if they wish to stay at the top."
Henry, arguably the greatest striker to have ever graced the premiership, kept Arsenal's status as a top four team alive but only just. North London Rivals, Tottenham Hotspur have twice pushed them right the to the finish line for their fourth spot and a place in the Uefa Champions League.
If Henry was injured, the team did not look right and suddenly the rest of the players believed he was essential in their success. Heavily relying on the Frenchman proved costly and despite their plethora of talent, never exceeded fourth place.
The sale of Henry to Barcelona in the summer proved at first to be a blessing in disguise as the players realised they did not actually need him for success and that they had enough talent throughout the rest of the squad to achieve something. A fantastic start to the season has seen the Gunners climb to and maintain their place at the top of the table. However, staying up there is a whole different ball game.
Since Henry's departure, 20 year old Spanish midfielder, Cesc Fabregas has come into his own and developed into one of the most promising young talents in world football. What Arsenal fans should worry about is that he does not become such a focal point for the rest of the players that he becomes heavily relied upon, like Henry was.
The last two matches Arsenal have played have been without the Spaniard due to injury and they have failed to win. A 1-1 draw at Newcastle and a 2-1 defeat to Middlesbrough hardly inspire a great deal of confidence in the rest of the team. With Chelsea up next, the team either need to hope Fabregas is fit or start to believe once again that they do still have that talent throughout the rest of the squad, if they wish to stay at the top."