Football FanCast columnist

When Thierry Henry made, what was considered his dream move to Barcelona, many Arsenal fans were concerned that Wenger hadn't brought in a player of similar ilk. Eduardo was not going to set pulses racing in the eyes of supporters and many felt the Frenchman was gambling with their season.

Wenger not for the first and certainly wouldn't be the last was to be proved right once again and his decision to keep faith with the squad at his disposal almost paid great dividends; in potentially winning the Premier League title and of course has taken them 90mins away from a Champions League semi final.

So much has been reported as the affect on Henry's departure had on the camp as a whole. Fabregas was one player who was vocal in the fact that they felt a burden had been lifted and the squad as a result was freed up. Few would argue that the squad was certainly galvanised as a result, playing the type of dream football we have been accustomed to under Wenger and scoring at will, all over the park.

Emmanuel Adebayor was one player who the press were quick to point out that was now reborn, firmly out of the shadow of Henry and scoring goals freely, however I can't help feel that it was more his strike partner that Wenger had earmarked to takeover the goal scoring baton, not Eduardo but the precocious Dutch talent that is Robin Van Persie.

Van Persie like all good Dutch players have that air of arrogance about them that precedes their ability in which he has in spades. It is clear that the Arsenal forward line didn't need two egos and you kind of felt that Wenger had kept Van Persie in the shade for far too long and needed to unleash him on a regular basis and give him his head. He has obscene abilities with a football, reminiscent of Dennis, with quick feet an excellent touch and absolutely fearless in front of goal. He started the season like a train and along with Fabregas was one of the reasons for our excellent start and scoring on a regular basis. You kind of felt he had seized the moment and firmly the main man, he had found his platform and we were set to benefit.

Since Van Persie arrived from Feyenoord, he has had the most wretched time with injuries. You name it he has had it and they haven't been minor injuries either; it has deprived us of one of the finest young talents in Europe.

Once again the age-old problems have reoccurred this season and after what was his most consistent spell in an Arsenal shirt and Wenger was left to rue his loss, which is far more important than may seem otherwise obvious. Van Persie in the long and short of it is a match winner, make a goal out of nothing and is always a massive threat at set pieces. How many points have we thrown away this season due to our inabilities to kill off the opposition? It has been a massive blow for Wenger who saw the Dutchman as his talisman and the heir to Henry's throne. I firmly believe that a fit Van Persie would have guaranteed us the title this season simply due to his match winning instincts. I'm sure I wasn't the only supporter at the Emirates who whispered a "Here we go again" when Van Persie came off with a thigh injury against Liverpool on Wednesday night, another tragic setback for a player who simply is blessed with atrocious luck.

I hope Robin Van Persie doesn't fall into that nearly list of great players who's potential never gets fulfilled due to injury. I sit back this morning and say those immortal words "If only" - a phrase that will no doubt pass through many a gunners lips when we reflect on this season.

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