Best CF post-Henry?

[jones]

Whenever I watched back classic matches from 04 to 07, I realised how insanely good Reyes is. He was Henry level of unplayable in one of the community shield against United and in the match at OT where Riley stopped our 50th win, United were genuinely more terrified by Reyes than Henry which is unthinkable.

His passes, vision, throughballs and technique was on another level compared to RVP those days. What a shame it ended up like that

Yep Reyes was another clear level ahead of RVP talent wise, he could have been Henry level. Was never more excited about an Arsenal player ever

 

[Blood on the Tracks]

Reyes never properly settled in the UK. Don't think he really wanted to come here tbh.

Very talented player though.

 

[squallman]

Giroud didn’t cost us those titles, the club did by relying on him as first choice. His limitations were clear. He always did his best, it just wasn’t good enough. I blame players when they’re not playing for the jersey or focused. He just should’ve never been relied on as Arsenal’s first choice and only option in those days. Scored some crucial goals and beautiful bangers too.

Giroud's responsible for his own performances. I agree that the club should have replaced him earlier.

I will also point out that the leeway you've expressed here Arsenal fans don't extend to Silvestre, Denilson, Diaby, Chamakh, Squillaci, Debuchy, Eboue, Chambers or Holding. All of whom the club relied on at one point or another. All of whom had moments or games where they played well.

Why does Giroud get a free pass?

 

[EmeryCouldnt]

Giroud's responsible for his own performances. I agree that the club should have replaced him earlier.

I will also point out that the leeway you've expressed here Arsenal fans don't extend to Silvestre, Denilson, Diaby, Chamakh, Squillaci, Debuchy, Eboue, Chambers or Holding. All of whom the club relied on at one point or another. All of whom had moments or games where they played well.

Why does Giroud get a free pass?

Many of them do. Diaby for sure does, no one blames him for being injured. He would’ve been a hell of a player if he could stay fit, he just couldn’t. Not sure people actually hold that against him personally.

Eboue unfortunately just had some terrible dumb fouls in crucial moments. Holding was disapppointing in a crucial time when we actually were on top of the league, but again we know he was backup, but just came off as so many levels below. Debuchy seemed to drop levels when he joined us. Players like Denilson who would kill our attacks with pedestrian play were also frustrating and especially in his case where he started so well. Or players like Gervinho who would run around like a headless chicken killing promising attacks. Defenders can clearly be more frustrating when they make mistakes (mustafi). Giroud wasn’t nearly this bad and did some great things, was just slow and for a big man went down so easily, but he still scored lots of goals for the club. I feel like we needed someone who could challenge getting in behind more and so did many, but the club stuck with a target man. Also I feel like
He gets a pass because he brought us so much for such a low fee and the club had the resources to upgrade just refused to do it.

But pretty much all the players you listed I don’t hold it against them or think they lost us anything. It’s players like Özil or Pepe that just gave up caring and just collected the paycheck that I have more a grudge against (even though I love Özil under Wenger).

 

[lomekian]

I don’t think Bendtner was terrible to the point where the football world gave him the “lord” status but very average. Good servant though

Bendtner should have been top drawer. Peaked at 19 and a busted flush by 22.

 

[Tnegs]

Hopefully the next one we sign will be up there. Cant handle another striker that shows a lot of heart, runs around doing a lot of off the ball stuff but cant finish.

 

[2Smokeyy]

Had Adebayor stayed motivated after 07/08, he would have had some career here.

 

[freeglennhelder2]

Reyes never properly settled in the UK. Don't think he really wanted to come here tbh.

Very talented player though.

I dont think this helped!!

 

[freeglennhelder2]

Had Adebayor stayed motivated after 07/08, he would have had some career here.

Not possible. Exited every club he played for in acrimony.

 

[ggunner12345]

I'll say auba as he won us the fa cup

 

[Zaza]

RVP all day. His 11/12 season was immense. You put that version of him in the team of the last two seasons and we not only win the league, but go further in the ucl.
People are blinded by his 'judas' like ways to see it.
Auba was immense for us, but he just wasn't as well rounded as peak RVP. Peak RVP had an inexperienced Ox, Ramsey, Wilshere and Rosicky/Benanyoun behind him.

 

[Clrnc]

I dont think this helped!!

View attachment 33283

This was his downfall, but tbh looking back now he didn't say anything wrong. Who wouldn't want to play for Real Madrid? Especially for a Spaniard.

The bad people thing was weird AF though

 

[Mitch]

Merino has been a better CF recently than Giroud ever was for us.

 

[Riou]

Mikel fookin' Merino!

 

[Andrew Cole Linighan]

For me, my Favourite striker after Thierry Henry, is Robin Van Persie. The Dutch seem to be Masters of producing forward / wide players. Van Persie scored some Great goals on the volley. The goal at Charlton springs to mind.

 

[freeglennhelder2]

Pls add Merino to the vote list. Deadliest finisher since Eduardo.

 

[North5]

Had Adebayor stayed motivated after 07/08, he would have had some career here.

Had he stayed onside too..