Mark ModiIs The Number 9 Shirt Cursed?
Link: marcmm.blogspot.com
Number 9 is the number for lethal striker. It symbolised the striker with great finishing which will bags 24 to 30 goals for season. But for Arsenal case, the number 9 seems like a very unlucky number. For a while Arsenal haven't have the classic number 9.The last great number 9 for Arsenal for me will be Alan Smith. After that, I just haven't see a great number 9 at Arsenal. Alan Smith is just a classic English striker. Tall and strong, he have a great finishing both with his feet and head. That is the classic number 9. Didn't have all the technique and skills, but gifted with great finishing.
The curse of the number 9 at Arsenal started when it was wore by Anelka. I quess he is a bad luck to every team he join. Just look at France, a potential winners, but because of him France team are a disgrace. Anelka join Arsenal as an unknown name. Developed become a promising striker, he request to be transfer to Real Madrid.
After Anelka transfer, the number 9 shirt was wore by Davor Suker. A world cup golden boot winner, he does promise a tones of goals. H is a proven goalscorer. He scores quite of goals compares to his appearance. The arrival of TH14 on the same season also limited his chances as Arsene prefers the partnership of Bergkamp and Henry. After his contract run outs, he leaves Arsenal.
Then comes Francis Jeffers. The new number 9. He describes as the fox in the box. An English lad offer so much promise and highly rated by Arsene. When he played, he does show his ability. His play reminds me of Filipo Inzaghi. Jeffers score most of the time from his positioning being in the right place at the right times. When he offers so much promise, then he get injured frequently. He's being injured most of the times and Arsene release him after frustrated with the frequent injuries he had.
The arrival of Reyes bring an interesting prospect to the squad. Tips to be an Arsenal legend, he gets home sick and request for transfer back to Spain.
Julio Baptista wore the number 9 later on loan. Nickname the beast, his best games are when he scores 4 goals against Liverpool. The other games, he just very poor. After a season loan, he just not good enough for Arsenal. Luckily Arsenal didn't sign him for permanent in the first place.
After the departure of Henry, Eduardo arrive as his replacement wearing the number 9. He slowly adapt into English game and once he get a few run of games, he how how good he is. He just don't miss. When his Arsenal career look like blossoming, he had his leg broken. After returning back from th broken leg, he just not as the same as he was. Now Arsenal are ready to offload him.
The history of the number 9 just not that great. Number 9 seems to be unlucky to Arsenal. It seems like it was curse. So who will wear the numebr 9 next? Will the next number 9 break the curse or being the victim? Or should Arsenal retire the number 9? I just hope the curse is broken and we get the classic number 9 in the near future.
