Tierry Henry out for six weeks

[Martin Gale]

So the bbc website says anyway.Groin strain.No more details than that.

[GETT1NLOTS]

I would have a groin strain if I was married to his wife - Me and Bobby would be va va vooming all over the shop.

On a serious note this has to be a massive blow for the Gunners. Already under pressure with the loss of Viera and a defeat to Chelsea, they now have to try and play catch up without their best striker and player. I don't think it's too dramatic to say that one should already be writing off Arsenals title chances.

[crowie]

Sure I saw Sporting Life saying Chelsea were 1-3 for the league already after Arsenal & Man Utd slipped up at the weekend.

Considering this is the one player who Arsenal really don't want to be without then this could present a load of problems for them over the coming weeks. Henry has had a great 2 or 3 seasons when he has been a virtual ever present and avoided any really serious injuries. However he did mention that he has played a large part of the end of last season with a niggling injury and that had affected his performances.

Last 2 seasons has seen the EPL lose 0 and then 1 game. Arsenal have already lost 2. Only consolation is am sure there next few games are not the most difficult. Still they looked pretty lost without him on Saturday.

[all_funkt_up]

I have a few spooner mates at work. I have been bleeting on for the last year that without Henry they are an average side. They dont have anyone else that will score > 15 Prem goals for them - let alone end up top scorer. How much will Arsene rue not coming in for Owen in the summer eh...?

[crowie]

My thoughts exactly AFU

They are left with a couple of wingers (Reyes, Van Persie) and 36 year old Bergkamp as their forward line.

Then again Wenger could always recall that superb "prospect" Aliadiere from his hard stint on loan at West Ham (1 sub appearance so far). He might be the answer. But then again, probably not.

3 influential players missing now - Henry, Vieira and Campbell. Cygan sold the pies badly on the 2nd goal last Saturday at Boro and their squad does not look to have the same depth of Chelsea or Man Utd about it.

[all_funkt_up]

Crowie - assuming that Bergkamp wont travel by air to the European fixtures - will be interesting to see where Wenger's priority lies.

Arsenal play West Brom in October then Prague midweek then Man City. Interesting to see if Bergkamp can take the strain of the long Journeys by car from game to game... Lucky I suppose that they didnt draw Turkish teams or Spartak Vladikavkaz...its a fair old hike through Siberia I believe....

[all_funkt_up]

Crowie - to be honest I think Chelsea are in a league of their own and its theirs to throw away. But, Arsenal IMO at the moment are 4th or 5th in the pecking order as I see it. No reason why Spurs/Liverpool cant claim 3rd and 4th place.

Chelsea way out front followed by Man U and Arsenal/Spurs/Pool pretty much even Stevens. Henry must be worth 12 points minimum a season. Given that they have lost 2 games already - its not looking good for them

[crowie]

Its unbelievable that 5 games into the season Chelsea are best priced 2-5 and as short as 1-3 in places. Arsenal out to 8-1 with bookies, 10-1 on Betfair. Maybe Chelsea should come up to the SPL to get involved in a competitive league

As far as I know the only Euro game Bergkamp will travel to is Ajax, two weeks after the Thun home game tomorrow.

As you said, they don't look good and they could certainly miss out on a top 3 place this season. 6 weeks out plus you would think maybe a week or more to regain match fitness, best part of 2 months possible before you see him back at full power. A few teams could end up putting some points between them and Arsenal in that period.

[all_funkt_up]

Deffo Crowie and lets face it - even with him they have hardly been a revelation. He's not what I would call an inspirational captain by any stretch of the imagination. They could have the best stadium in the championship well maybe thats pushing it - but he will miss some important games for them... They dont play any of their rivals - but any dropped points against the likes of Wigan, the Baggies, Man City, Brum and Everton would be terrible.

Imo - you dont win the league by beating your rivals - but by steam rollering 5th place and below... Because you can bet Chelsea will do...

[crowie]

Roy Keane now out for 6 weeks as well with hamstring.

Yep, agree about the captaincy as well AFU. Cascarino did a good bit in IE about it, saying your best player doesn't have to be your captain. Then again, in the current line up who would you pick as Arsenal captain?

[christianu]

Chelsea way out front followed by Man U and Arsenal/Spurs/Pool pretty much even Stevens.

I dont think that Liverpool and Spurs are near Arsenals level. Arsenal will be in the top 3 and challenging for the title and people are quick to forget just how amazing they are. They had a bad spell last season after losing to Man United and after that they were irresistable. They'll find there form again. Liverpool havnt got the players to match them but probably the defence is on par without Campbell.

Jol hasn't proved himself one bit contrary to what everyone seems to think and it remains to be seen with Spurs.

Liverpool/Spurs are even stevens in terms of quality of the team but Benitez is a better manager than Jol every day of the week so they will finish higher. Teams like Bolton + Man City could finish above Spurs very easily and id be suprised if at least one of them two didnt. Remember Spurs finished 9th last year with a great squad, City finished 8th and Bolton 6th.