I'd have been killed off if Henry had left at the end of the 05-06 season but as it was, I was pretty okay when he departed the following season. Sure it still hurt, it was Henry, but the decline had started, years of being injury-free (or atleast available to play) were starting to catch up and his status was also starting to affect the dynamics of the team. Seemed like the time was right, although I didn't foresee how well the team would perform without him the following season.
Feel the same sort of way about Vieira, the decline had started and it felt the right time. In the end, despite the constant summers spent flirting with moves away, I am grateful we had him in his prime years here, as with Henry, as either could have gone anywhere they wanted at any time.
Cesc hurt alot despite how he acted, can't lie about that. Compounded by the fact we also lost Nasri, then Song and RVP the following season. Seemed to happen so fast, our team was gutted. Cazorla was the right tonic for that though - I'm with RTC on this one, I love that bloke. Such a shame the way his career ended here.
Hleb gutted me. It's no secret how much I liked him as a player and his style. He'd just had a brilliant season and that midfield he was part of had so much potential. Such stupidity from him and he knows it now.
RVP - Eugh. I dunno. You do what he did and ties and emotional attachment are instantly severed. Our loyalty sticking by him through all the years he couldn't string more than 8 games together thrown back in our face. Absolute cunt. Ashley Cole similar, giving a rival one of the world's best in his position is never gonna feel good.
Sad to see ESR go but if Arteta is gonna refuse to use him then it's only fair to let him go. Too talented to be spending seasons sat on a bench. Wish him all the best.
