Thierry Henry is one Arsenal legend never to be compared nor waived, but every hero has his sibling, and it wasn’t only after Friday’s news that talks of one new look alike were embarked

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By Randy Osae

He prefers to be dubbed his original name, but Theo Walcott will admit there is so much he has in common with Thierry Henry. Make no mistake, both players are on different levels not just age – the former is an accomplished class prefect, and the latter, a steady student. But what brings up this prospect is the news of Arsene Wenger handing the sacred number 14 shirt to the quickly blistering English prodigy.

Thierry Henry is one Arsenal legend never to be compared nor waived, but every hero has his sibling, and it wasn’t only after Friday’s news that talks of one new look alike were embarked.

Needless is a microscope to detect similarities between Thierry and Theo. On the pitch; the pace, the composure, slick touch and of course, the finishing. Off it, is their calm sportive approach to anyone whether peer or opponent – always direct with the media and never utter negativity.

The English teen grew up in the small, easy village of Compton near Newbury, where he impressed in his only season for a town-team, AFC Newbury, before leaving for Swindon Town, later Southampton and now a fellow of North London.

Henry was born and raised in the tough streets of Les Ulis district of Paris where his talent was spotted by a local youth academy, which took him to his cunning days at AS Monaco, then shortly dull at Juventus and after Arsene Wenger’s faith in him, became a canonized Arsenal symbol.

So there it is, two men with different backgrounds, one from a wealthy, aiding environment, and the other through hardship. But that’s where the contrast ends. Both players’ football styles are very hard to differ.

Anyone who observes Arsenal is aware that Theo Walcott’s pace around the flanks, his calm, artful finishig is nothing but Thierry Henry-esque. Interestingly, even his goal celebrations, where he straightens his arms like a flight or puts his hands behind his ears is something Arsenal’s former talisman usually did.

If there are any inevitable disagreements, then we should go back to watch Walcott’s strikes against Slavia Prague, Birmingham and recently, Sunderland. The way he positions himself to cooly slot the ball home is just Henry-like.Their similarities definitely loomed through the connection when teammates.

Henry during his Arsenal time admitted his then kiddish striking mate had traits identical with him while Walcott revealed how his former captain taught and inspired him plenty about football.

Sometimes when you follow how two people coincide, there are more simple things needed to realize their likeliness, and what else but the shirt number of a player could be more suitable.

Starting from next season, Theo Walcott will have the number 14 on his back, and while it’s suggested that could be a cause for tension on the player’s shoulders, no one handles it better than himself and can only be a great new dawn in the view of Arsenal and Arsene Wenger’s decision.

But one thing is certain; it will take not just Walcott but anyone else a farm horse’s journey toil to be equivalent with what Thierry Henry means to Arsenal.

(This article is also available on: http://www.arsenalspot.webs.com)