However there is an argument for needing a longer term solution on top of the loan signing of Thierry Henry but I cannot help but think that a choice like that would be linked to the players we already have in our squad. It hasn’t really been the Arsenal way to replace players before players in the same position have departed. Much of that could well be down to the new squad rules but equally it could

It has been fairly obvious that Thierry Henry will be staying on loan at Arsenal. According to the likes of Martin Keown, Henry has been fantastic in training. He will fill the stadium, he will add quality to the bench and can play in both van Persie and Gervinho’s position. He has been training with the current players so he knows them and they know him. I do not quite understand the view about tarnishing his reputation because he might not be as good as he was when he was last a registered player at the club.

If that is our thinking then shouldn’t we sell Robin van Persie now just in case he declines?

Thierry Henry status and record at Arsenal will remain regardless of his contribution this time round. We are under no illusions that we will be signing a different Henry to the one that ripped the Premier League to shreds back in 2003/04.

The same way that Ryan Giggs is not the same Ryan Giggs that could play every three days for Manchester United at a very high level. Henry will be coming back to do a job, probably as a bit part player.

Coming on for the final 20 minutes to either rest tired Dutch legs or to attempt to join Robin in rescuing slipping points. He might be declining physically but his awareness, his first touch and his finishing will not have gone anywhere.

However there is an argument for needing a longer term solution on top of the loan signing of Thierry Henry but I cannot help but think that a choice like that would be linked to the players we already have in our squad. It hasn’t really been the Arsenal way to replace players before players in the same position have departed. Much of that could well be down to the new squad rules but equally it could be due to squad harmony or finance. Who knows? I certainly don’t.

In yesterday’s blog I wanted to talk about Yossi Benayoun but I completely forgot. I do tend to do that a lot. I have loads to say about a subject but I end up veering off track and end up in a completely new location.

Firstly I want to hold my hands up and admit that my early judgement of Yossi was incorrect. I liked him from the bits that I had seen from West Ham and Liverpool but after watching the Shrewsbury match I made the mistake that so many do and that is judging a player too early. I went home writing Yossi off as a player not good enough to contribute to the first team.

A few months later, I now remember why I admired the player from afar at other clubs. Technically, I like what I see, a player who passes and moves, likes to play one-two’s and scores goals but what I like more than anything else is his hunger and work rate.

I cannot think of a time when I have seen him standing still when we are not in possession of the ball. Players like that cannot be underestimated. A team with limited ability can be a good side with the right attitude and commitment. With the likes of Bendtner and Nasri in the squad of previous years, that fight hasn’t always been consistent in our squad.

I feel for the guy right now because he deserves to have started more games in our strongest side. A player with his ability and experience could work well with Robin van Persie. In fact it has been said that our current team does not keep the ball as well as teams of the past and that is true given our first team starters today but I believe that a team looking like the following would pass and move like the best of them.

Now obviously I know the reason why we have changed our style slightly and that has worked a treat, I wouldn’t change our directness in attack but watching this possession side would be nice to see how it would work. Probably back to the eye of the needle stuff that was either exquisite or frustrating I guess.

Anyway, back to Yossi Benayoun, he should play his part in the upcoming games against Wolves and QPR. Arsene doesn’t seem to fancy him in the advanced midfield role, in the Carling cup he has played out wide for the most part even when Andrey Arshavin has started so I expect to see him wide again the next time we see him perhaps with Rosicky playing in Ramsey’s position. We have plenty of time for that discussion.

With that, I am off to pretend to my kids that I am in some sort of festive mood.

Back tomorrow with some form of greeting.

Enjoy your day.