@ All Juve fans

Arsenal have had a day off today - No match.
That means we should be fresh enough to take you guys to the cleaners on tuesday.
I won't be particularly surprised if we win that game by 2-0 or more. For all their goodness, Juve have struggled against English opposition for the last 2/3/4 years.
So bring it on!

If Ballack moves to Chelsea, the Ideal thing would be to bench Lampard, seeing as they are both attacking midfeilders and Ballack is far better. Unless Jose decides to play the two attacking midfeilders with Maka or Essien as a holding midefilder, I see Lampard getting less playing time.

And by the way, a move to Barca would not be a step in the right direction, because I don't see who Barca will drop in the midfeild to accomodate him. He is a very good midfeilder, no doubt. But for his position, Barca have got Deco, Xavi, Motta and Van Bommel, who I think will be ahead of him in the pecking order.

It doen't help matters that he's not very flexible either.

@Mochafella

Ronaldo will definitely start ahead of Adriano. There is no question about that. Even in his half-fit state, he is still odds-on to finish as one of the top-scorers, if not THE top scorer.

True, he seems to have fallen from his usual high standards at club level, but the same can be said of every player at Madrid currently and I think it may not be unconnected to a poor training regime.
But when it comes to the national team, Ronaldo still edges it over Adriano.

I think Brazil are just blessed to have such top-quality strikers who on their own, are good enough to walk straight into any team in the World. If Ronaldo falls by the wayside, Adriano is more than a worthy replacement.

As an aside, Just imagine a Brazil team with Ronaldinho, Kaka, Juninho, Robinho, Adriano AND Ronaldo - That would be a nightmare.

@Reyes4eva

I suppose you are not an Arsenal fan. You seem to want us to look at both players from your narrow point of view (The UCL), conveniently forgetting that Henry did not start his career as a striker, and even today he is still not being used as an out and out striker in any team.

Very Intriguing character, you are.

I don tire for this topic, tbh. The aim of this thread was defeated ages ago.

@Akolawole
Here I am.

If you compare the popularity of the players you've mentioned before and after they made their move to Arsenal, you can say they were relatively unknown. Of course, most of us who watch spanish football, got to see Reyes once in a while and if you did watch German football, you saw Hleb once in a while too. That doesn't mean they were not established at their respective clubs.
But moving to a big English club like Arsenal is a whole different ball game entirely and if you can cut it in the English league, your value and popularity goes over the roof literally overnight.
Zigic may have scored 50 goals in one season, but I have to be honest - I had never heard of him before Wenger went in for him.

I would agree though, Wenger's Policy seems to have changed a lil' bit with the last few transfers - Adebayor/Hleb.
But the one thing that has not changed and maybe will never change is his insistence on youth development.
Currently, the average age of the Arsenal team is between 21-24.

Slimgene

I beleive I don't need to join issues with morons like yourself.
You made your choice, I made mine.
Abi you dey find am hard to read?
Haba, and you have the nerve to call someone a Arrow?

@Akolawole

The fact which everybody (_{according to you}) agrees on, is that Henry is a better footballer than Ruud.
That's what the thread was about.

I did know before I started the thread, that Ruud has a better goal per game ratio than Henry, which makes him a more prolific goal scorer than Henry. And it's hardly a thing of surprise considering the fact that Ruud has played as an out and out striker all his career while Henry basically started his "striking" career at Arsenal.

However, the thread was about the better footballer - And as such Henry carries my vote.

[s]BTW, I've changed my e-address. You check it up on my profile.[/s]

Wetin una dey wait for me for?

Why is everyone suckng up to Reyes4eva?

- Simply because he paid respect to Ruud Van Nistelrooy.

You want me to admit that Ruud is a very good footballer but your over-bloated egos can not allow you to admit that Henry is a specialist at what he does.

Na una change the topic, nor be me. In my very first post, I said and I quote "Watch and Enjoy the masters at work" (masters being the operative word here) - which should suggest to anybody that I admire both players.

Anyway, Y'all that are waiting for me to pronounce Ruud Van Nistelrooy as the Numero uno, I'm sorry to dissapoint you but Henry is my Pick, any day any time.

@Jackal

Can you be any more biased in your posts?

I would normally post my reply to your commets, but seeing as you consider Rossi and Carlton Cole to be better than Henry, I think it would be better to leave you in your fantasy world.

Jackal, are you trying to start another argument on here?

Who would be benching Henry at the Clubs you mentioned?

The over-hyped Wayne Rooney or is it the "World's greatest" Drogba or a fading Ronaldo?

And don't give me that crap about Cudiccini being better than Lehman.
I hate it when y'all go spouting some stereotpye bullshit.

Lehman won the league in his first season in England without losing a single game. Name one keeper in the history of football that has managed to achieve this feat?
In that same seaon, Lehman Conceded the fewest goals in the league.
Jens Lehman won the Champions' League trophy with B. Dortmund

So what have you based your comments on?

If you want others to be objective with their arguments, then you should be objective too.

@dargly

How funny is your post?

I initially thought you were going to comment as an outsider (because of the way you started your post).
But then as I read on, I realised I was reading nothing more than another biased comment from a Man Utd. fan.

Truth is as fans, we only include those points and statistics that strengthen our arguments. I do believe Ruud Van Nistelrooy is a top class striker. And there was a time when he was really prolific.

But Henry is a far, far better all-round player and has always been.
In all the teams he's played in, he has never been used as the top striker. At Arsenal, Since Wenger came to the club, we[b] don't[/b] normally play with a top striker(out and out) and I bet y'all can confirm that. There's just no provision for a top Striker in the game-plan. This is quite unlike Man Utd.

And I don't buy your argument that Henry is leading the scoring charts because Ruud is on the bench.
How many games has Ruud been on the bench for?
You have conveniently forgotten that Henry was sidelined by injury at the beginning of the season and missed a lot of games.
Like I've already mentioned, there are statistics that will conveniently bolster everybody's arguments but if we are to by the original intention of the author of the thread(who happens to be me BTW), Henry is a better footballer than Ruud Van Nistelrooy and will forever be remembered ahead of Ruud, by all football fans except Man Utd.'s.

Akolawole, The fact that he happens to be taller than Jan Koller(if indeed he is) does not make him a ready-made material.

I've read this story but as it has not been confirmed by the Arsernal website, I'm still a lil' bit skeptical. Anyway I hope he comes in.

Ono, You beat me to this one.

I initially thought it was a creation of the media when I saw the headline on the Guardian newpaper website. Obviously not.

If these reports are true, then I have to say Our political leaders are totally shameless. How can one man hold a nation to ransom? Who the hell is Obasanjo that Nigerians have to beg him to leave Aso rock?

If anybody needed proof of Obasanjo's corruption, they've got it. Just when you think we can't sink any lower, this happens.

Abeg, make I leave my fellow Nairalanders to comment on this issue but if anything, this is the height of "misuse of power"

_*Spits*

Yeah Jackal, I agree Argentina have got talent in abundance and Riquelme has been the driving force behind the team but with the emergence of Messi, I think the load is now being shared by both of them as evident in their last game.

And moreover, the thing with Riquelme is inconsistency. He has the ability to wear down any team on his good day, but when he's off-color, you'd rather not have him on the pitch. That's why I think Barca let him leave.

Hopefully, both of them'll excel at the world cup. If that happens, then surely Argentina are a good bet for the final.

On Rooney though, I think the English Press will wear that boy out with HYPE. I never knew the definition of Hype till I came to this country. Rooney is good but it will take more than Rooney(even on his best form) if England are to win Cup.

[s]_{*Did I just say that? Definitely England are not winning any cup*}[/s]

Hey g.uys?

What's with the insults and sexual references? Can't we have a civilized argument on here again without resorting to Childish antics?

Anyway, I think the best way to decide this issue is to look at it from the perspective of each player's achievements.

What has Ruud achieved that Henry has not? = NOTHING

What has Henry achieved that Ruud Van Nistelrooy has not? = A lot - World cup, European cup, personal awards and whatever.

My verdict = Henry will always be remembered as the better player by football fans, regardless of whether he's scored less goals than Ruud or not. Simply because his goals are the kind that will stick in your memory forever unlike Ruud who man-marks the Goalkeeper and does nothing else all game.

Maradona is not regarded as the greatest footballer who walked this planet because he scored more goals than Pele, it's simply because the kind of goals he scored will forever stick in the memory of those who saw it. And that's what this thread is about.

@ nightrider
I beg to disagree. Messi seems to have a better attitude than all those players you mentioned.

Another thing that's going for him is the fact that he doesn't have to adjust to European football. He started his professional career here so he shouldn't have that problem.

With such talents as Ronaldinho, Eto'o Deco and Xavi around him and a man like Rijkaard, I think he can only become a better player.

I may be pushing the issue, but I sincerely believe that if Argentina are going to make any kind of impact in this coming world cup, Messi will be the key. Even the Argentina players themselves are beginning to believe.

If you watch their last game (friendly with some team), their most penetrating attacks all came through Messi's Wing and it was no surprise he created one goal and scored another himself. And that was only his first full match for the senior nat. team.

I sincerely believe he's a special kid and deserves all the hype he's getting. It takes someone special to bench players like Giuly and Larsson on a constant basis.

*smiles and walks away*

There's loads of stuff you can't do on a mobile phone with all the gprs in the world, currently. Of course, if you are a casual internet user (mails and web browsing only), you may not see the need to use a computer. But if you have to use the internet for something more serious, like Net-meeting, e-purchasing and stuff, you will definitely drop your gprs-enabled phone and check into the next available cyber-cafe, if you don't have an internet-enabled PC close by.

Moreover, not all web-pages/applications are WAP-compatible.

Loads of people will still be using cyber-cafes

Seriously, I think the risk is very low. You don't go the barbers' to cut your head. You go there to shave your hair.
But to be on the safe side, get your own clipper. It's not expensive.

@ Jackal

Wetin I do you?

Where in all my posts, have I made any reference to "team resorts to violence" ?

Please read the posts as well as the posters' screenname before replying.

I'm out of here

slimgene:

His STRENGTH lies outside the box where he can assist with sublime passes,run at defenders and create havoc for defenders.

So Henry does have strengths afterall.

I laugh when Chelsea fans come out boasting and making all these empty noise.

Do you boys need reminding that the English league has been in existence for over 100 years and in that time, you boys have managed to win it only once (or is it twice now)?

Una dey talk like say last season na im premier league start!

@ Slimgene

When you posted your comments, you focused on Sir Alex Ferguson. Does that mean there was no Manchester Utd. before Sir Alex arrived at Man U.?

I'm not going to waste my time explaining to you Arsenal's rich history.
What is it with winning the title back-to-back anyway? To date, Arsenal are one of only 3 or 4 clubs that have managed that feat. Go and check the record books. Arsenal are still the only club in the league that have never tasted relegation.

If we decide to go by history, even Man Utd. before Ferguson arrived could not challenge Arsenal. Get your facts right and don't let your dislike for Arsenal cloud your better judgement.

Whether you choose to beleive it or not, Arsenal are one of the most successful Clubs in English football history.

_{And your inclusion of Chelsea in this issue of successful clubs, makes me laugh to be honest.}

@ Slimgene

Are you serious?
What is your definition of success?
If we are going by the last ten years, in English football the only Club that can hold a candle to Arsenal's record is Manchester utd.

** Since 96' when Wenger arrived at Highbury, the club has never finished below second (apart from this season, that is)
**In that time, the Club has won 3 league trophies, 4 FA Cups, charity sheilds and gotten to a European cup final.

Maybe I'm missing something here, but can you explain your definition of success to me?

Because I don't see how Chelsea (who have consistently finished far below Arsenal every other season before last) have suddenly become one of the most successful clubs in the world(with two league trophies in a most "illustrious" 100-year history).

If you are sugesting that Arsenal are on the same level with West Brom and Portsmouth, then seriously I don't think there's any need for this discussion.

@Slimgene

I understand you hate Arsenal with a passion and you can not hide it but your bias is pathetic, to say the least. I'm sorry but it has to be said.
Granted Arsenal have won fewer trophies than Man Utd. but to make this kind of comment ==>

slimgene:

@ skintite
How can u compare ANY arsenal team(2000 B.C. till date) to Real Madrid, Barcelona, Man Utd or even Chelsea in terms of entertainment or excitement? Its a far cry. Barcelona has/had Ronaldo/Romario/Ronaldinho, Man Utd has Giggs/Cristiano Ronaldo/Cantona and Chelsea has Zola/Joe Cole/Lampard. These players dazzled week in-week out whether they win or not. No arsenal player can match these lots in terms of play-making.

<==[/b]and expect me to respect your views [b]is laughable (and that's putting it mildly).

I can only assume you've seen too much [b]drab[/b]football in your time, so much so that you are now immune to enjoying good football. The topic of this thread was about the most entertaining team in World, not the most successful team in the world.

Haba, Abiola Babes and Leventis better than Arsenal?

Now that's a concept.

@Akolawole

Thanks for the compliment. You'd have to ask Wenger about Selling Hleb, though.

By the way: How do you mean Wenger has not congratulated Chelsea to date?

1. Wenger Salutes Worthy Champions Chelsea

2. Wenger Salutes Worthy Champions Chelsea

You don't expect Wenger to Line-up his team to Clap Chelsea out of the dressing room like Man. Utd. did last season, do you?

Benitez is not re-building. He simply bought a load of crap players.

@Akolawole

Akolawole:

@Pie1ect and other Gunners

Let me tell you, Chelsea can lose to Bolton, Charlton to even Sunderland, we can never lose to Arsenal AGAIN.Remember we have beaten you 4 times in a row so

Which kind mouth be this one now?

I mean, for ten years, Chelsea could not beat Arsenal in the league home or away.

Because we are re-building this season, una don see wetin to take make noise. And we've not even been able to feild our first eleven in any of the matches wey una dey make noise put.
Just wait till next season when normal service returns, hopefully our young players would have matured well by then.

Chelsea will soon go back to their usual mediocre level. Remember say b4 Money-bag(Roman) bought your club, you guys were ordinary top six club.

@Akolawole
How can a Chelsea fan talk about Overblowing Players?
You want to talk over-blown players, how about SWP, Drogba, Lampard, JT?


Are you forgetting Fabregas is only 18 years old?
Even at that, he "owned" a Real Madrid Midfeild boasting illustrious players like Zidane, Beckham and Guti.
He completely controlled the midfeild last weekend against Liverpool. What more do you want from the boy?

At the beginning of the season, there was a general lack of confidence in the team and naturally, Fabregas was affected. Seriously, I daresay, if we play Chelsea tommorow, it will definitely be a different story altogether.

_{By the way, In the next 2/3 years, Fabregas will be 10x better than all those over-bloated, over-paid mecenaries wey dey pose as midfeilders for your club.}

@Cabali and Grizzly

cabali:

@ grizzly, you're being too kind! if they beat juventus i will quit watchin0g football

Grizzly:

If Arsenal win the champions league this season, i'll quit watching football, ,

If Only we could find a way to take you guys up on that.

Cheers.