by Simon Harding

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

With the 2007-2008 season drawing to a conclusion, and the Arsenal trophy cabinet being bereft of any silverware for the third year running, there is no doubt Carlos Tevez would have been a fantastic signing for Arsenal. With the departure of talismanic striker, and captain Thierry Henry to Barcelona, Arsenal have been crying out for someone to lead the forward line all season. The players they have used up front have shown promise, but Carlos Tevez would have brought with him that extra bit of class, grit and determination, and experience after single-handedly saving West Ham from relegation last season.

Of the players Arsenal have used up front this season Emmanuel Adebayor looks full of promise for the future, even seeming to curb the unpredictable attitude that previously dogged his career, League Cup semi-final spat with Niklas Bendtner aside of course. Niklas Bendtner himself has perhaps failed to deliver this season, given his chance to shine back at Arsenal after a productive season on loan to Birmingham in 2006-2007, Niklas Bendtner has seemingly frustrated rather than thrilled in an Arsenal shirt. Brazilian born, Eduardo, now a Croatian international was particularly unlucky when an horrific injury suffered against Birmingham, ruled him out for the rest of the season and this summer's Euro 2008 tournament. Prior to the injury Eduardo had been a revelation, starting the season as a squad player a series of fine performances in the League Cup saw him promoted to the first team on a regular basis. Indeed such has been the downfall of Arsenal since Eduardo's injury, it could be said that Eduardo had become Arsenal's integral player this season, and that they have never recovered from his absence. Undoubtedly and not surprisingly the ghost of Thierry Henry still hangs over the club. Recent media rumors have suggested the minor possibility of the prodigal son Thierry Henry returning to Arsenal, and while Arsenal's young players have stepped out of the huge shadow that Thierry Henry allegedly cast over the club, I am sure manager Arsene Wenger would jump at the chance to re-sign a player of the calibre of Thierry Henry, whatever issues it might cause to the dynamics of the team's balance.

So yes after another season of failure for Arsenal, they should have done everything in their power to bring Carlos Tevez to the club, as a direct replacement for Thierry Henry, as a talismanic figure who could have made the difference between the failure they endured
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