Arsenal News 24/7Writer: Rocky7 
Date:Wednesday October 4 2006
Time: 5:50PM
UK time is: 16:39:57
Choose your club
Other Sites
Network Navigation
Vital Partners
'If It's Football, It's Vital'
Time For A Change Of Captain?
While I've never really seen anything wrong with Henry's captaicy, a few comments got me thinking. Many people think that Henry's entire game has been weakened by the fact that he now has to think about what others are doing rather than only himself.
If you think about it very carefully, you will see that they have a point. Henry's best season was easily the 2003/04 unbeaten season. With Viera as captain, he had to think about two things: Scoring goals and setting them
up.
When Viera left I thought I knew exactly who the new captain would be. My first thought was Kolo Toure, with my second being Lehmann. Toure is already what I call 'captain of the backs'. If you watch him during a freekick, corner or sometimes even general play, you will notice that he is always directing the positions of the other defenders. Of course Lehmann dictate's most but still Kolo for years has proved to be a leader. Weather he can lead ten other players instead of three is another question...
It may be worthwhile to stick the captain's armband on him next time Henry is replaced/ injured or being rested. If not, then at least try him out at vice- captain.
Is Toure the right man for job?
I'll leave you to decide but I say give it a go
Article submitted by Tugboat
Vital F1 Prediction League - Join now for Monaco
Your Comments
A personally think Henry is developing into a great captain. Last season in the league alone he scored 27 goals in less than 38 games, and that was his first season as captain, once he is in full swing there will be no stopping him. Stick with Henry I say!
Rocky7
And Toure replacing Bert as vice?
Tugboat
How times have changed eh? When Paddy left I had a one man wish list for captain: Ashley Cole! A great left back, both for Arsenal and England, and a gunner through and through! I believe a captian should play at the back or in midfield, and really thought the armband would help ash mature! Would making him captain have stopped everything that has gone on? we'll never know! But given what has happened, I am reassured about one thing; I am glad Arsene is manager and not me!
Jimmy the Gun
no way, thierry is growing as a captain wid every game, and i feel he deserves the job more than anyone else, we just need to give him more time, he is our best player and only he can lead dese young bunch of players, last season i wanted sol to be the captain, but he has been so unlucky wid injuries and wasnt the player he was, but dis season i dont think dere is anyone else other than henry to merit the captaincy, kolo is a great leader at the back, but he is my future captain after henry, and i dont think captaincy is affecting his game, he still scored so many goals last season and if he starts to take more responsibility about other things, it is only going to help the team..
luckys_10
I've never thought of Henry as a captain. Some people have it in their guts, this isn't a dig at TH. He's our corner taker, free kick taker, penalty taker, top scorer, top provider. I think AW needs to spread the responsibility and have a little faith in others. I think Toure is the man for the job, but you can't really take it off TH now can you? Before, I always put up with TH's sulking because I realise it's part of his game, but now he's skipper he cannot do this because others look to him.
Little Dutch
Gilbert
obomba
Sorry, meant Gilberto. Not the most beautiful player, but the few times he has captained its eems to raise his game. he also has a calmness about him that seems reassuring to the others.
obomba
Just thought about Gallas as well. Not talking about now, but in 2-3 years time???
Tugboat
Stick with thierry for next 4 years, then Fabregas, toure or senderos
jack_a_lele
i say its a little tooo late to change captains as that would show great disrespect to him. hes done very good so far just needs to get back on his feet. but if anyone did get it i would go for toure
abdleb
I was of the same opinion [as the article] for most of last season. but as the season got on Henry proved himself to be a leader. People say that Cesc and Toure do all the jobs Henry should be but despite the fact that both are obviously leaders, its clear that neither takes on hte responsibilty that Henry does. As Rocky said, he got 27 goals in less than 38 games in the league in his first season as captain. Lets see what he can do this year.
simmy8_2000
he got you to champions league final! , I think you have to remember who he took over from and the influence he had in midfield to enable Henry to play like he did.
dazza71
I think th14 is a great captain! His matured over the year. At 1st i thought what is Wenger doing but now i think his great. Toure, cesc and sendros will get there turn. I would have prefered Gilberto to be captain as i think his a unsung Gunner hero. Got a great feelin about this season!!! Im lovin it already...
vampy1982
henry should stay captain, eventually handing the reigns over to fabregas when he retires. fabregas should be a complete player by then and will also make a great captain. toure to be vice captain also.
protocal
i personally think all arsenal players are gay. ha ha ha ha ha
mrcommonsence
as 4 the poll. i believe the goal of the season so far was when........ no cant think of one you are 1 crap club
mrcommonsence
mrcommonsence is a complete *****...and that is over stating his position in life !
radar
a complete ***** wats that a ***** guy you calling me a five star guy thanks very much radar. you are a fan of mine i guess. not interested in havin arsenal fans support me. they dont call that place the library for nothing
mrcommonsence
bck on article
henry has been a great captain and a great goalscorer.
Surely no need to change captain. Captain is not a babysitter but a leader through example. Henry is someone you wish to follow.
Henry 14 the BEST!
delver
This suggestion maybe an impractical one: Rotate TH, Giberto and Toure for season each. Let each give us a benefit of doubt first. Then AW a final choice can be installed after 3 seasons. Let TH complete this season first.
SWPACIFIC
mr commonsenCE? ... dont make no sense to me. In any case i dont know which club ur supporting mate .. but if ur so stupid u must be tottenham hot***** fan. Arsenal is a club thats playing the best football in europe, reached the champions league final a year ago went unbeaten a season 3 yrs ago and have the best youth development system and prospects i might add in the years to come.We just built a 60,000 seater state of the art stadium and will end up being amongst the top few clubs in europe in terms of revenue in the next few years .... AND U SAY WE DONT HAVE A GOAL!!! Are u out of ur "gay" mind ... go get some therapy for you sake. Cheers to arsenal!!
gunnerella
gunnerella? tinkabella? suckthebellend? what ever the hell your name is. 1 you aint playin the best football in europe barcelona are, 2 who won that final? 3 unbeaten season? what happend the following season? 4 best youth development system? ha ha ha ha ha ha ha. name me players please who came through at your so called amazing youth system? your manager wont pick your home grown players. upson, bentley to name 2 (both sold due to being homegrown) is your development system signing young foreigners? a tottally incorrect statement by someone who obviously knows nothing about football.
mrcommonsence
Incorrect statements are something you obviously specialise in. Especially considering the fact that you can't even spell the very word you chose as your log in name. It never ceases to amaze me that those who scathe Arsenal for being "un-English" can't even speak English themselves. Back to the remedial class.
Little Dutch
I wonder if mrcommonsence (sic) has got the balls to tell us which witless bunch of farts he supports (as if we can't guess)?
HarryBarracuda
I thin k your article is something all of us have considered, but as soemone pointed out he wasnt that bad last year. I think the Captaincy kept him with us as he felt it was his team. But i agree he wouldnt have been my choice. The one who should have been burnt all his bridges apart from stamford!! Looking at it now My choice would have been Toure or Lauren, perhaps Silva. Looking ahead when TH14 retires it will be Senderos or Fabregas.
Harry671
i am an ashley cole fan is the answer to harry baracouda. great left foot, great pace and great defender. the best in his position in the world. shame about him doing the dirty on your pathetic club but great players shouldnt waste themselves. everyone knows you are a 1 man team and your 1 man can't perform when it matters on the big stage, the c league final for instance (should have won that game, think carlo corrazin would have scoired a hatful)
mrcommonsence
i think when henry was made captain a large part of the decision by wenger was to keep henry at the club. There was lots of speculation about barca etc and when viera left i think henry was given the armband to make it harder for him to leave arsenal. I think his captancy at the club would have been a factor for him to stay last summer. A good move by wenger me thinks
pascal_cygan
Dont worry lads, Mrcommonsense's team are on the up, they've been on the up for years, no decades even, pretty soon you'll be in the clouds your on the up so far. The only thing you are mate, is up your own arse. let these lads talk about a proper club with proper history and a real bright future, you go back to masterbating in your dads shed about video's of your clubs bygone glories (mainly in black and white i presume!)
LondonGooner
HarryBarracuda, you're a legend on the Arseblogger site, did you know that?? Are you on this forum now?? If so, welcome. Henry is a great captain, he was always thinking about what everyone else was doing anyway so not much has changed. Mrnonsence is a @unt.
FAB 4
no way
Henry14
Whoever suggested Gallas, his favourite off the pitch activity is sleeping, now that's inspirational isn't it? Great player, but not captain material, ever. Personally I think Lehmann would be better than TT, but can you imagine Wenger ever giving the armband to a German???!!!
Westl
"i am an ashley cole fan" says mrcommonsence. That makes sence! You must also be a Michael Carrick fan and a Sol Campbell fan! "...the c league final for instance (should have won that game..." You know what you're absolutely right we should have won the Champions League... it's nice to be in the champions league!
titi4moreyears
Have Your Say
Recent Articles
Who Is Your Vital Arsenal Player of the Season? (Tuesday May 21 2013)
Newcastle United 0 Arsenal 1 (Monday May 20 2013)
VIDEO: Wenger Praises 'Exceptional' Attitude (Monday May 20 2013)
Arsene Wenger, Now Is The Time (Monday May 20 2013)
The Moment That Made It All Worthwhile (Sunday May 19 2013)
Happy St Totteringham's Day To Gooners Everwhere (Sunday May 19 2013)
Team News: Last Game Of The Season (Sunday May 19 2013)
The Squeaky Bum Preview (Friday May 17 2013)
Wenger Confirms Sanogo Deal Almost Done (Friday May 17 2013)
Mid-Morning Ablutions #11 (Thursday May 16 2013)
Archived Articles
Vital Members League (view all)
| 1. | nikolaijns | 57 |
| 2. | Rocky7 | 52 |
| 3. | Naijagunner | 42 |
| 4. | Wyn Mills | 31 |
| 5. | Nwankwo25 | 20 |
| 6. | flv | 20 |
| 7. | prits | 20 |
| 8. | gunnerkid107 | 18 |
| 9. | julieloveshenry4ever | 15 |
| 10. | Deltaforce | 13 |
League Results (view all)
| Latest Results | ||||
| Newcastle | 0 | - | 1 | Arsenal |
| Arsenal | 4 | - | 1 | Wigan |
| Q.P.R. | 0 | - | 1 | Arsenal |
| Arsenal | 1 | - | 1 | Man Utd |
| Fulham | 0 | - | 1 | Arsenal |
| Arsenal | 0 | - | 0 | Everton |
League Table (view table)
| Team | P | W | D | L | GD | Pts |
| 1. Man Utd | 38 | 28 | 5 | 5 | 43 | 89 |
| 2. Man City | 38 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 32 | 78 |
| 3. Chelsea | 38 | 22 | 9 | 7 | 36 | 75 |
| 4. Arsenal | 38 | 21 | 10 | 7 | 35 | 73 |
| 5. Spurs | 38 | 21 | 9 | 8 | 20 | 72 |
| 6. Everton | 38 | 16 | 15 | 7 | 15 | 63 |
| 7. Liverpool | 38 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 28 | 61 |
Breaking League News
| Hoping to Make a Killing?
» Man Utd : 21/05/2013 16:37:00
|
| Best 23-man Squad for EPL 2012/2013
» Chelsea : 21/05/2013 16:32:00
|
| Lukaku on His Season Long Loan
» Chelsea : 21/05/2013 16:31:00
|
| Cech on 3rd Place
» Chelsea : 21/05/2013 16:30:00
|
| Blast Off For New York City FC
» Man City : 21/05/2013 16:15:00
|
| The First Of Many For Southampton
» Southampton : 21/05/2013 16:11:00
|
| Adkins on summer recruitment
» Reading : 21/05/2013 16:00:00
|
Current Site Poll (view all polls)
|
|