Is there something a matter with your head? A record of almost 1 goal in every app for over FOUR years with Blackburn, the EPL top goalscorer ever, three 30+ goal seasons and four 20+ goal seasons, and he was never a special player? Shearer was one of the best forwards in the world for a very long time, and during his peak with Blackburn when he managed this across three seasons: 31 goals in 40 apps 34 goals in 42 apps 31 goals in 35 apps He was comfortably in the top 3 strikers on the planet. Literally no player in the history of the Premier League has managed that sort of record since over three consistent seasons. He has the joint records of the most goals scored in both 42 game and 38 game seasons, along with Andy Cole and Ronaldo respectively. He's matched anything Ronaldo, Henry, RVP, Torres, Drogba or anything any of the top strikers have ever produced who have graced the Premier League, and he's done it more often. He was right up there in the world's best bracket during his prime, trust me.
Lineker scored more goals than Shearer at club and crucially international level but few would say Lineker was better than Henry, so how can Shearer be better than Henry ? Henry could do what Lineker AND Shearer could do - but he could also do a lot more. He scored tap ins, thunderbolts, free kicks and he did mazy runs and finished with aplomb. No way Shearer was as good or better than Henry, thats bull crap. As for RVP, Henry did it at the top for a many seasons not just 1, but I it is too close to call, both have superior technical ability which allows them to score goals from nothing, but Henry has the added ability to dribble past half a team with pace that RVP doesn't have.
Henry was better than Shearer, but to call Shearer average is ridiculous. the man was able to play at a high level way past his peak, much like Henry, plus he's still scored more PL goals than anyone else. Average my arse.
Shearer most definately wasn't average. He was a striker and did it exceptionally well. Yes he wasn't as talented or skillful as the likes of Henry, but i and the rest of the premiership wouldn't say no to his services. As for Henry v RVP, Henry is the better player for doing it day in day out for a number of seasons. He was instrumental in us being so successful in Wengers career. Saying that, he did have better players around him than RVP and RVP is banging them in like no tomorrow. Overall i would say RVP is the better all round player, he has better technical ability and can play a range of different roles better. Henry is the better out and out striker/center forward. RVP, barring any more major injuries, should last longer at the top with his superior vision and skillset. When Henry lost his pace, he couldn't cut it at the top no longer, RVP does not rely on his pace.
RvP has an average 0.47 goals per game over his entire Arsenal career. That's mainly been upped by his current run - before the start of last season he was 0.37. If his present form continues for the rest of this season, and next season too, you can talk about him as being as good as Henry, but for now, he's been consistent for a while, but not for long enough to be regarded as one of the "greatest ever to grace the Arsenal turf." I'm hoping his run continues, the team strengthens in Summer, and he adds some trophies over the next few years
I can't agree that RVP has better technical ability than Henry, nope, I can't do it. I thought about it last night and I couldn't think of anything RVP can do that Henry couldn't but Henry is a better dribbler of the ball then RVP - so he edges it for me.
Sorry RVP has more technical ability than Henry for me. He has better control, ball retention, passing and vision. RVP can play in any of the 3 front positions as well as play a deep lying front man or attacking midfielder. RVP is a better dead ball player too. He can take corners and free kicks better. Henry has better physical attributes like pace, agility, movement. Even shooting is debatable. Take Henry's pace away and RVP would be better in most departments.
Considering that Henry scored 2 goals in 4 apps, there's a small amount of evidence that he can still cut it at the top even at the age of 34. He really seems to have changed his game to focus it on his footballing brain and get himself in the right positions for poaching goals instead of using pace. The guy has adapted with age, and that's another sign of a uniquely talented footballer.
Im not sayinng that Henry wasn't a talented footballer, but it's a big shame RVP has been injury plagued in his early career. This is the first season he has been fit and he's breaking all sorts of records. RVP for me is the complete package and a dream to have in my opinion. His skillset gives you so many attacking options. We haven't seen the best of RVP but i hope we do.
I disagree. I can't say either had better close control, RVP is great in tight spaces twisting and turning but Henry twisted turned and cut just as well, his close control when running with the ball was better. RVP had a better range of passing and greater vision but greater vision doesn't mean better technical ability - Peter Beardlsey had better vision than Henry ! I disagree RVP had better dead ball delivery, RVP takes plenty of free kicks but hardly ever scores - contrast that to Henry who scored quite a few. I don't remember Henry corners. Again, I can't say either are better at shooting because they are both great, but Henry scored loads of thunderbolts from outside the box and lots of curlers, I don't know how you can say RVP is better.
That's true but I don't think it's all down to injury. He's been at your club for a lot of years, and whilst he has had injury problems, he's still had numerous 25+ appearance seasons which didn't limit his talent from coming through. An injury later on in the season has no influence over how many goals or assists a player is getting earlier on in the season. I think this is just Van Persie's first in-form season, where he's really found his rhythm, so to speak. Plenty of top strikers, like Rooney, Torres, Drogba, Tevez and so on have all had that one special season where they hit the nail on the head. Where many players have dipped in form after that and struggled to replicate it since, it's now down to Van Persie to show that he can join players like Shearer and Henry who have done it consistently over numerous seasons.
Im not saying RVP is better, im saying his technical ability is. Henry was a special player no doubt but i personally think that RVP is better overall. For a guy that hasn't played much early on and to sudden explode and break records, playing for the worst Arsenal team in Wenger's tenure, is special indeed. Let's not forget Henry played with some great players like Bergy, Viera, Pires, Cole, Fabs etc. RVP has Walcott, Gervinho, Arteta etc and he still does the business.
Football is not just about technical ability. Technically they are on a similar level but Athletically Henry was vastly superior. Quickest player in the league and strong. He also had a real winning mentality and could read the game incredibly well.
It depends how you decide a great player, you have someone like RVP who can easily be one of the greatest players at arsenal, he has the skill, the power, the brain, the loyalty, everything but do you take into account his lack of playing time against him, or do you just take him for when he's fit?
It just comes down to the fact Van Persie has'nt proved he's great. One great season - thats it. The rest is just potential. Henry on the other hand.. Monaco * Ligue 1 (1): 1996–97 * Trophée des champions (1): 1997 Arsenal * Premier League (2): 2001–02, 2003–04 * FA Cup (3): 2002, 2003, 2005 * FA Community Shield (2): 2002, 2004 Barcelona * La Liga (2): 2008–09, 2009–10 * Copa del Rey (1): 2008-09 * Supercopa de España (1): 2009 * UEFA Champions League (1): 2008-09 * UEFA Super Cup (1): 2009 * FIFA Club World Cup (1): 2009 New York Red Bulls * MLS Eastern Conference (1): 2010 National France * FIFA World Cup Winner: France 1998 Runners-up: Germany 2006 * UEFA European Football Championship Winner: Belgium & Netherlands 2000 * FIFA Confederations Cup Winner: France 2003 * King Hassan II International Cup Tournament Winner: Morocco 2000
It depends whether you are comparing your opinion of their skill or whether this is an argument about their record. Record-wise I'd say RVP has aways to go before he can boast a record as good as some of the other names mentioned. Skill-wise you are going to find few people who rate him better than Henry, Shearer, etc. RVP is a very technical player, very smart and most of his best work is done off the ball. I don't think he will be as appreciated generally as some of the more obviously skillfull players. To get universal appreciation, he will have to string a few good seasons together. "But whose better, Lampard, Gerrard or Scholes?!" My opinion is Lampard. Gerrard and Scholes tend to be "Free role" type players that are not terribly good defending or grafting in the middle of the Park. Lampard has always been able to put in a shift in the middle, as well as getting forward to score goals. Just my opinion, but I'd take him every day.
I actually rate Gerrard the highest at club level although I don't remember him doing anything of note for England, he can only play at 100mph which is no good at that level. But half the time you don't even know Lampard is playing if he hasn't scored a goal. Gerrard drives his team forward. I'd say Scholes at international level was the best.
Scholes and Gerrard are both better than Lampard. Lampard has managed to maintain a high scoring record which covers his other failings. RVP and Henry is too early to compare. Wait for another couple of years and then start this thread again
