My love affair with Arsenal is in the balance following Thierry Henry's (much-awaited) transfer to Barca, which is yet another of my favorite soccer teams. Henry was the heart and soul of Arsenal. In fact, he was the very air that Arsenal fans breathed when they watched the gunner play. He influenced and greatly benefitted from their fluid style.

Arsenal will never be the same.

I relished watching Bergkamp, then Pires, then Henry, but now they've all left, and honestly I don't know how Arsenal will keep up in the Premiership race. The Adebayor/van Persie combo upfront will have to work ... with Fabregas/Gilberto in midfield. But given that Manchester United are currently in indomitable form, and that Chelsea has world-class players at every position, and that Liverpool have Torres leading attack, the Gunners sans Henry will have a lot to prove. Nonetheless, it is already common knowledge that Barcelona will be terrorizing defences all across Europe next season. Now if only I can figure out how to get a Spanish soccer channel subscription ...

Here's probably my last Henry video, with him in Arsenal colors ...

Labels: Arsenal, Barca, Henry, soccer

The hero was distinguished by his achievement; the celebrity by his image or trademark. The hero created himself; the celebrity is created by the media. The hero was a big man; the celebrity is a big name.

Daniel J. Boorstin

And a video that's simply sublime (for soccer lovers) -- Ricardo Quaresma ... redefines charismatic football, as in, Quaresma-tic football ... furahia!

Labels: Quaresma, quotes, soccer