It has become a summer ritual - the departure of another member of the Arsenal side that went undefeated while winning the Premiership title in 2004.  Since the summer of that year Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole, Robert Pires, Lauren, Edu, Ray Parlour, Sylvain Wiltord and Patrick Vieira have all left for new pastures while Dennis Bergkamp chose the end of the 2006 season as the time to retire. And now, the man who over the last eight seasons has been the brightest of all the Arsenal stars, has also left the club.

With Thierry Henry leaving Arsenal to join Barcelona only four players (Lehmann, Toure, Gilberto Silva and Ljungberg) remain from the accepted starting eleven from thirty-six months ago. Reaction from Arsenal fans to the latest departure will be interesting to say the least with initial indications being a clear polarization of views.

One group seeing Henry’s departure for $33M as being a piece of good business for a soon-to-be 30-year-old with a sciatic nerve problem that is likely to be a constant problem; the other group viewing it as the loss of another iconic player without an adequate replacement on the horizon.

Views on the subject are perhaps dependant on three key questions.
1. Should Wenger have tied harder to keep the 2004 team together and if so would Arsenal have collected more trophies by doing so?

Looking back on it the signs were there that rather than being the team to beat, the Arsenal team of 2004 was in fact at its peak and was heading down rather than going onto to dominate the Premiership and Europe. Roman Abramovich had already bought Chelsea and with Claudio Ranieri in charge Chelsea knocked Arsenal out of the Champions League at the quarter final stage in 2004. Manchester United put Arsenal out of the FA Cup around the same time.

Wenger did in fact maintain the core team (Edu, Wiltord and Parlour had only started 37 games in total the previous season all left Highbury after the 2004 season) for the 2005 season. The FA Cup was won and Arsenal finished second to Chelsea in the Premiership. But, was at that point that Arsene Wenger decided his team needed to be rebuilt. All the evidence points to the fact that just one season after going a complete league season unbeaten Arsenal was in decline.

2. How do the replacements stack-up against the 2004 squad in the short and long-term?

Although Cesc Fabregas was on the Arsenal squad the year before Patrick Vieira’s move to Juventus it is fair to consider Fabregas as the Frenchman’s replacement. The same would be true for Clichy and Ashley Cole. The others would be Van Persie, Adebayor, Hleb, Rosicky, Gallas and Eboue.

In the short term only Emmanuel Eboue has slipped seamlessly into the Arsenal first eleven while replacing Lauren. Clichy is almost a clone of Cole and in another season or two he may match the now-Chelsea full back.

Van Persie has shown hints that he has what it takes to become one of the world’s best strikers but last season he started less than half the Premiership games last season through injury. 

Adebayor is no Dennis Bergkamp and was never intended to be. In fact Wenger wisely chose not to look for a direct replacement for the iconic-Dutchman and instead opted for a different look up front. Adebayor has proven extremely effective at providing Arsenal with a long-ball option but it is doubtful that Togo striker will be ever be a consistent starter at a top class club.

The jury is still very much out on Alexander Hleb although Rosicky made a promising start to his Arsenal career last season. In defence William Gallas was another who missed a good chunk of last season through injury. Even then a good number of his games at the start of the season were at left back.

When he played in his favoured position at centre back the Arsenal defence often looked less than convincing when high ball were played into the box. Gallas maybe one of the world’s best defenders but the partnership with Toure may not be the best answer for Arsenal.

Finally back to Fabregas. An incredible talent that Wenger has decided to rebuild is midfield and team around. But he is still very much a work-in-progress. (Fabregas could have been playing at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup this summer). At this stage in his development Fabregas can’t carry the kind of load that Vieira could but in the long term the youngster could become one of the world’s great players.

3. Does Wenger dip into transfer kitty to replace Henry and if so who does he sign?

Wenger has no option but to sign a new striker or probably two. With Van Persie and Adebayor the only front line strikers Arsenal is badly exposed at this point. The young Mexican striker Carlos Vela is only 19 and it is unlikely that he will arrive at the Emirates until sometime next year – probably the summer. So who will Wenger go after?

If you were to create an identikit of Henry’s replacement it might look something like this. Under 26 years-old with his best days ahead, international experience, comfortable on the ball, good in the air and with the potential of 20-30 goals per season. A player like that is going to cost a few bucks but with $33m from the sale of Henry plus whatever other money is in the kitty already, Arsenal should be able to afford the asking price.

First off who does this exclude? Michael Owen for starters, as well as Miroslav Klose and Nicolas Anelka – although I admit that the return on Anelka might be intriguing it may also be a bit masochistic as far as the Arsenal brass is concerned. David Trezeguet also fails the identity parade.  

Adriano might be available but who knows where his head is at. David Villa of Valencia apparently wants to stay in Spain although with Barcelona now top heavy in strikers the Nou Camp appears to be out. Ryan Babel (Ajax) is a name that has been linked with Arsenal in the past although he has yet to show that he is capable of scoring goals at a rate that Arsenal would expect.

The one player that seems to tick all the boxes is Atletico Madrid’s Fernando Torres. To land Torres Arsenal may have to outbid Liverpool but they may have a potential ace up their sleeve. Arsenal still own Jose Antonio Reyes and he might be dangled in front of Atletico in order to seal the deal.

Verbal 97- First, can (or rather will) a team like Portsmouth or Bolton be able to claim 3rd or 4th? Second, can someone from the pack jump into the title race (i.e., is there precedence that someone as many as 16 points down at this stage of the season winning the title)?

Bobby- To answer the second question first, I can't remember anybody coming back from 16 points down, particularly as someone else has pointed out when two teams are involved. In regards to Portsmouth or Bolton or other such teams, the squad depth will have a major impact as well as avoiding injuries.  That is where the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal have a significant advantage over the other teams. If you're looking for a team to spring a surprise then maybe you look at last year when Spurs got knocked out of both cups early and were able to concentrate on the league. A third-round exit in the FA Cup, early in the New Year may actually turn out to be a blessing in disguise for someone.

BlueBlades-Being an Everton Fan it has become very frustrating that we don’t seem to score very many goals. Is this the players fault or the system that the team plays? Do you think James Beattie should be moved on and the younger players given more opportunities? Victor Anachebie looks like he would run through brick wall for the side.

Bobby-I think if you go back to last year's Everton’s scoring rate has increased.  But then again, last year was pretty awful. I think you have to factor in that Arteta and Cahill are both out and they create and score a lot of Everton's goals. Beattie’s scoring rate is down significantly from when he was at Southampton and Moyes must be losing patience with him I would think. However, you have to consider that the relegation battle this year is going be very tight and although Everton are sitting in mid table I don't think they could count themselves out of trouble quite yet. Until Moyes feels safe I can't see him gambling on youngsters from the start.

Gunner 44- Great game it was. Essien is the best midfielder in the EPL at the moment the guy can do everything, even Vieira and R. Kean weren't this good where they? One thing I noticed though is the high pressure that Arsenal put on Sunday. They did the same against Tottenham and it seems to bother teams. Even Chelsea some times lost the ball because of it. So I think Wenger should keep telling his team to do that but when they win the ball they have to finish the opponents off.

Bobby-the difference perhaps is that Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane did it for season after season. The way that Arsenal played against Chelsea (early on) and Spurs was quite reminiscent of the way Milan used to play- placing the opposition under pressure high up the park. As for finishing the opponents off, I am sure Arsenal team are not missing chances on purpose!

Henry 14- Is it worth to put a player of Robben's ability on the bench when Sheva is not performing, because l feel Robben would make it in any of the top four team's first eleven, how do you view that?

Bobby- Robben tends to be quite inconsistent - on his game he could play for just about anybody, but he is not always on his game. It is quite different coming into a game than it is starting one. On Sunday, Robben was able to take advantage of a tiring Arsenal side and the space created between Hleb and Fabregas.

ranndino-The whole episode with Lehmann and Drogba provided me with some comical relief. What penalty, Bobby? They both totally exaggerated the contact and dived. Lehmann's push on Drogba would not have knocked down a 10-year old girl. Same goes for the flop Jens took when Drogba came back at him. It all reminded me of old Charlie Chaplin films really. Except his falling over looked less fake.

One small comment about Sheva. I absolutely agree that patience is required. I think he's been getting better in the last few games. However, it is really difficult for Jose to keep Robben on the bench. He completely turned the match when he came on and is 10 times more effective than Shevchenko at the moment (and I'm a big fan of Sheva). With Robben on the bench Chelsea have no width and look very short of ideas up front. It's mostly limited to individual runs by Drogba and long shots by Lampard. I still think that dumping Duff for Sheva has really hurt Chelsea. With Duff and Robben Chelsea's attack was nearly unstoppable.

Bobby- What penalty?  Then why yellow cards? I think the Duff and Robben combination was much more effective two seasons ago.  I'm not sure the statistics from last year backup your argument about Duff and Robben being nearly unstoppable. Duff only started in 18 Premiership games last season and was substituted in 14 of them.  Robben last season started 21 games and was substituted in 10 of them.  So between the two of them they only managed to complete 15 games.

USA England fan-What was your favorite goal and favorite match of the weekend, and who would you say was MVP (I'm guessing Essien)?

Bobby-There were certainly some crackers on the weekend- Essien, Matthew Taylor, Pedersen to name three.  My favourite has to be Essien though -a clutch goal.  As the MVP- I would probably go for Gilberto Silva, he held Arsenal together particularly in the first half.

Bigmacmtl - I believe there was no penalty given because Drogba was not pushed during open play?  (Drogba and Lehmann incident).

Bobby- From the commentary it certainly sounded as if the ball was in play – there was a foul, the referee booked the players, why wasn't a free kick given where the incident took place which was in the penalty box - why not a penalty?  I would agree that the referee showed good sense, but my point was that by his stupidity Jens Lehmann could have cost his team dearly.

Riocharlie- One thing I’ve noticed during the 1st half of the season, are the number of young Irish lads making strong contributions to their sides. Is there a renaissance of Irish football under way? They have a tough Euro qualifying group, how do you rate their chances?

Bobby- I think you have to keep your eyes on Ireland for  2010 World Cup qualifying. They got off to a bad start in Euro qualifying and I can't see them catching the Czech Republic and Germany.

bigdavedisaster - I have admired the play of Gamst-Pedersen since early last season great balls in especially from corners is there any talk of him moving from Blackburn?

Bobby- There was some talk a year or so about Gamst-Pedersen may be going to Old Trafford.  But I don't think a wide midfield player is really what Alex Ferguson is looking for.

Carljamaica – I am from Jamaica and I make sure I don’t miss the show when you are on. What will Man Utd have to do to get a little credit? I always wonder what team you support. Is it me or does Man Utd seem to not get much love at all. Everyone talks about their squad and it’s like everybody expects them to falter, and how they have had a good home fixture. that team as always done well on the road, from week one everyone has been predicting united will soon come unstuck and now we are in week 17. Do you think united can win the league? I just think people need to give credit where it is due and look beyond Chelsea and their whining players. A couple weeks ago Drogba said he was the best striker, now he is stuck on eight goals and a number of players have caught up with him. Man Utd. has done well and if Fergie get one or two players in January then I honestly believe they can win it. Chelsea is just stupid cause there is no way Robben should be on the bench, they can’t expect to out muscle teams every week, they need some spark that Robben has.

btw which players do you think could be available for Man Utd that would help that team in January? 

Bobby- Interesting Carl, I usually get accused of going light on Manchester United! I think people are cautious about United's chances of winning the league because of the depth of the squad, and in particular, a shortage of quality midfield players -- central midfield players -- and what would happen if Saha or Rooney were injured.Talk of signing Fernando Torres percolates every now and again, and of course, Owen Hargreaves who seems to me to be just  a younger version of Philip Neville.

Djnima - Do you think Jose will stick around if he fails to win the league or the champs league this season?

Bobby-I think Mourinho is just as liable to leave if he wins the league or the champions league this season as he is to leave if he doesn't. Ronaldo has been absolutely outstanding so far this season and has been the player of the season so far IMHO. 

Realmadridcffan - 1. Out of the EPL managers their right now, which manager gives the best post game sound bites or press conference quotes? 2. With the January transfer window coming soon, who do you see so far being mentioned as the biggest name to move to a different club? 3. What do you think of the FIFA World Club Cup? I find it is ok, but 6 teams is too awkward and with the fixture schedule as hectic as it is for the clubs in this competition, is it even feasible to have in reality?

Bobby- I like Stuart Pearce’s honesty, and I'm waiting for Steve Coppell to crack a smile. I'm not sure that there will be many big-name moves during the transfer window- Ribery perhaps? FIFA will not let the Club World Cup die so we may as well get used to it. It will take a couple of years, and a few good games for the fans to embrace it.  Next year will be the last tournament in Japan and taking the competition around the world will help.

Eriktheviking-re: Sheva I'm not sure what is worse for Sheva--Chelsea's system or Lampard either shooting whenever he gets the ball or making all those CF runs in the box. Sheva drops to receive the ball. Lampard fills the CF channel. Sheva is left supporting play.

Bobby- I thought it was interesting that the comments Shevchenko supposedly didn't make seemed quite accurate to me.  When he was at Milan it seemed like the player's knew exactly the areas that they were to operate in, while at Chelsea a number of players seem to want to operate in the same area.

Howard Bloom’s blog – “Sports Business News” – looks at the latest developments in the FIFA, MasterCard and Visa sponsorship dispute.

Dennis Campbell updates the progress of the Stevens’ Inquiry.

Richard Winton describes Steven Pressley's exit from Tynecastle.The latest rumours have Pressley heading south - Southampton perhaps?

Brian Cooney attempts to solve one of the great mysteries of Scottish football.  Why did such a rare talent as George Connolly, walkout on Celtic in the 70s?

Amy Lawrence comments on the situation at Milan. Milan looked poor and quite stale against Torino on Sunday.

After giving Friday's announcement by U.S.S.F. President Sunil Gulati of Bob Bradley's appointment more thought, I am more convinced than before that this has been badly mishandled.

Gulati had the chance to simply announce that Bob Bradley would be taking over responsibility for the USA Olympic team. Further, negotiations with Jurgen Klinsmann had broken down after being at an advanced stage and that in the meantime, until a permanent coach was appointed, Bob Bradley will also be in charge of the full national team. Nothing more. 

Unfortunately, when Gulati started to talk about Bradley being a potential candidate to stay on long-term, he started to dig himself a very big hole. What possible criteria, could you apply to Bradley's performance over the next six months - over three years before the next World Cup - that could possibly tell you more than is known now?

Finally, some comments on the Chelsea - Arsenal game.

1. Chelsea did hit the woodwork three times, and had one shot cleared off the line. 

2. I thought Gilberto Silva and Michael Essien were absolutely outstanding. Just like at Old Trafford a few weeks ago, Essien turned the game for Chelsea.

3. Are Shevchenko's critics the same people who wrote off Drogba and Essien? 

4. If referee Alan Wiley yellow carded Jens Lehmann for this push on Didier Drogba, then booked Drogba for retaliation, why did the referee not award Chelsea a penalty?

With the start of the World Cup just a day away, injuries and sickness are front and centre. The Rooney recovery still dominates the headlines although I have a feeling that the true test will come when Sven decides to give young Wayne his first serious action.

As English fans rejoice at the news of Rooney’s recovery, a doubt about Steven Gerrard’s fitness for the first game has now surfaced. Gerrard’s name joins the likes of Gattuso (Italy), Ballack (Germany), Isaksson (Sweden), Ronaldo (Brazil) and Cisse of France as either being doubtful for their countries opening game or – in the case of Cisse – out of the competition altogether. 

Moreover, these are just the players we know about. As in other World Cups, countries that can avoid injuries to key players have an advantage but often an understudy gets a chance to play Hamlet and pulls off a standing ovation or two.

 Pele was injured and missed most of the 1962 Finals in Chile. His replacement Amarildo scored and set-up goals in the final while Garrincha became the star of the tournament.

Four years later Jimmy Greaves – the Michael Owen of his generation except better – damaged his shin during group play. Alf Ramsay brought in Geoff Hurst who at that time was considered largely untested. Hurst scored the only game of the quarterfinal against Argentina and then had a hat trick in a winning cause against West Germany in the final.

A legend was born.

Few people remember that the injury to Emerson – while playing goalie during practice – sent tremors through the Brazilian camp four years ago. Gilberto Silva was the beneficiary and earned himself a move to the Premiership based on some great performances.

Of course, sometimes the injuries are just too much to overcome. Think about the 1994 Final with Baggio on the limp and Baresi struggling badly. However, World Cup history has shown that often a very dark cloud has a silver lining. Who will step forward this time?