Henry on the way out? What about EJ in?

Like any good journalist I have to take credit when I get something spot on. While no deal has been confirmed, it looks very likely that Thierry Henry is on his way out of Arsenal. There have been reports for the better part of a year the Barcelona were primed to make a swoop for one of the finest strikers on the planet, and now it looks as if AC Milan are going to make this the most watched transfer saga of the close season. Any deal that involves Henry going to Barca would probably involve Samuel Eto'o coming to London. But with Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger already going to have to make due without Emmanuel Adebayor, Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue during the African Nations' Cup it makes little sense to bring in the Cameroon international to the squad. Not only would he be giving up a player that has proven he can bag 20 goals a season, he would be getting a player in Eto'o who will be absent for 3 weeks during the competition and has people wondering if he fits the style of play in England.

It would make more sense to send Henry to AC Milan for some cash and...Alberto Gilardino. Yes, you read that correctly. I still think Gilardino is just an ordinary player, but he can probably help the Gunners up front. Several times this past season they would put together an extraordinary string of passes but could never manage to put the ball in the back of the net.

And if Wenger can't find a replacement in Europe that satisfies him, maybe he would be wise to let his eye wander across the pond. I'm of course speaking Kansas City Wizards striker Eddie Johnson. This past weekend EJ became the first MLS player to notch back-to-back hat tricks. The US National Team will hope his form carries over when he suits up for the Gold Cup this week. Johnson has 9 goals in 9 matches for Eastern Conference leading Kansas City and he is a very fast, very strong, and very athletic player. Just the type that Wenger could use in his system. Don't laugh. Just a couple seasons ago Portugeuse club Benfica made Major League Soccer an offer for EJ, but the league shot the club down and Johnson's form soon dipped severely. A short (and somewhat odd) trip to Reading last season just to train never amounted to anything, but with the American in the best form of his career it isn't crazy to think a European club is going to make an approach if he has a massive Gold Cup.

And if you don't believe me, just wait a couple months when I'll be referencing this post when Johnson is off to the Emirates. Serious - just look at the rosters of the Big 4 in England. Chelsea and Arsenal are going to be taking the biggest hit when the African nations call up their players. Those two clubs will be scrambling to bring in players of just enough quality to hold the squad together and not break the bank in the process.