Conor Henderson (M free agent b.1991)

[Stuttgart88]

Arsenal have only one fit senior keeper now. Might mean Shea (most likely)or McDermott on the bench, though I think I read that Wenger is looking for an emergency replacement.

[TrapAPony]

Just a video I found on YouTube highlighting Henderson's (No.9) performance v Portugal U21 recently. Adam Barton is No.7.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enC5z6H0ymg

[TrapAPony]

YOUNG Gunner Conor Henderson is fully committed to carving out an international senior career with the Republic of Ireland.

The highly rated London-born midfielder has already played for the Irish U18s and U19s and last month stepped up another level to make his debut for Noel King’s U21 side in a friendly defeat away to Portugal.

In theory, the Arsenal midfielder — who made his senior debut for the club in the FA Cup against Leyton Orient this season — could still switch allegiance to his native England but Henderson insists that there is no going back now on his commitment to the green shirt.

"I’ve made my decision and I’ve chosen to represent the Republic of Ireland at senior level," he says.

"I didn’t just one day decide, it was something I have thought about for a while. I wanted what was best for me and Ireland so this is what I decided.

"My mum’s side is from the south of Ireland and my dad’s side is from the north so that’s how I qualify. All my uncles and aunties live over there and they were all really happy about the decision. It was great to have their support and I’m sure they’ll be celebrating if and when I make my full debut.

"Obviously growing up in London I have followed both England and Ireland’s results but Ireland have always been who I have supported. I’ve always looked up to people like Robbie Keane, who is so technically gifted, and then there’s Aiden McGeady, who is good on the ball too. There’s Darron Gibson now doing well at Manchester United as well.

"But if there’s one player who I want to emulate it’s Liam Brady. He had such a great left foot and was such a wonderful player who is one of Ireland’s best ever. Working under him at Arsenal has been a privilege for me. He spoke to me about playing for Ireland when I represented them at youth level but he left me to my own decision at senior level.

"Possibly the Ireland team is ready for a new generation of young players to try and establish themselves in the senior set up. I’m hoping to make that step up quite soon but I just have to keep playing well for my club and hopefully that will get me there.

"I haven’t had any contact with people from the seniors yet, just the management, staff and players with the U21s."

http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/irelands-young-gunner-plans-to-follow-bradys-route-to-top-150650.html

[SkStu]

great to read such strong words of commitment to the cause from an English born Irishman. Maith an fear.

[elroy]

Thats the job. Not surprising that Liam Brady is his icon considering the club he is at. An exciting prospect. Potentially an Irish player in the Arsenal senior XI. Now thats an achievement in itself.

[Stuttgart88]

"I haven't had any contact from the people from the seniors yet".

There must be a good "Arsenal starlet set to defect to England or Northern Ireland" story in there somewhere. I must email RTE.

[The Fly]

'Englishman' Conor Henderson on a possible loan spell next season (http://www.thegunninghawk.com/2011/04/06/conor-henderson-on-jack-wilshere-and-a-possible-loan-spell-next-season/)

[tetsujin1979]

On the bench for Arsenal today VS Villa

[Charlie Darwin]

Doesn't look too good (ignore the Wilshere bit):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZqh0awFpuA

[DannyInvincible]

Any indication how serious it is otherwise? Looked in quite a bit of pain. What a curse.

[tommy_c12000]

Just looked at it briefly there, the way he landed on his right leg and with the extent of the pain he was in, it could well be an anterior cruciate tear. Would be surprised if it was anything milder tbh. He did his cruciate in his opposite leg in 2008. This is an absolute disaster for the youngster. Fingers crossed it's not as serious as it seems but I fear the worst

[paul_oshea]

its hard to figure out if he hurt it before he twisted or not, it might just be a bad twist as opposed to getting his foot caught and then pulling the ligament.

Hopefully its just a(v) bad twist.

[tommy_c12000]

its hard to figure out if he hurt it before he twisted or not, it might just be a bad twist as opposed to getting his foot caught and then pulling the ligament.

Hopefully its just a(v) bad twist.

Hopefully it is just a twist. My initial reaction was ACL rupture as it really looks like his lower leg moves anterior with respect to his upper leg as he collapses. Having looked at it again, the damage may have been done when he appears to drag his right foot in the ground (half getting stuck) just before he collapses. Does not look good. But suppose we can speculate until the cows come home, time to warm up the MRI machine and get a definitive diagnosis. My money is still on ACL rupture, I hope I'm wrong though and it's not too severe

[tommy_c12000]

From Wenger, "The only sad thing today is the injury to Conor Henderson, it looks quite bad but let us hope that we have good news tomorrow morning. He twisted his knee, I don’t know how big the damage is but the first signs don’t look too encouraging."

[AlaskaFox]

Out for six months:
http://greenscene.me/2011/07/conor-henderson-out-for-six-months/

[tetsujin1979]

Conor tweeted he'll be out for the rest of the season: https://twitter.com/#!/Henderson_91/statuses/96188030100062208

I have damaged my ACL and lateral meniscus and will miss rest of season.I'm absolutely devastated but am determined to come back stronger!
Looks similar to the injury suffered by Billy Clarke around this time last year, and he didn't play for the whole season

[paul_oshea]

WTF is it with young irish players?

Or do we just not hear about all the others because we don't follow them so closely...

[tetsujin1979]

WTF is it with young irish players?

Or do we just not hear about all the others because we don't follow them so closely...
Probably, only heard yesterday Villa's Daniel Devine is out for 6 months as well.

[tommy_c12000]

Terrible news. Had high hopes for him this season. Really unlucky considering he did cruciate in opposite leg in 2008. Hopefully he'll make a full recovery and will be back playing football before long

[Sullivinho]

Promising young Irish player meet serious injury - serious injury meet....Oh, you've already been introduced?

Sickening.

[tetsujin1979]

Henderson signs new deal at Arsenal: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/henderson-and-watt-extend-contracts-with-club
Must be good news that they're willing to offer him a new deal while out injured

<EDIT>

his announcement on twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Henderson_91/statuses/127357485882425344

Delighted to have signed a new contract and extended my time at the club! #AFC

[theworm2345]

Was looking at the Arsenal team and it seems he probably could've made it were he fit. Went out in search of info on his recovery progress and found a quote from him on Twitter "I'm still recovering from knee surgery I underwent in September and aim to be back playing around April..."

[tommy_c12000]

Was looking at the Arsenal team and it seems he probably could've made it were he fit. Went out in search of info on his recovery progress and found a quote from him on Twitter "I'm still recovering from knee surgery I underwent in September and aim to be back playing around April..."

Was just thinking the same when I saw their team. Considering the volume of injuries they had at the start of the season Conor would definitely have had a chance in the premiership. It's an awful shame. A cruciate done in either knee before the age of 20, terrible luck. He will do well to make it in the premiership now. Fingers crossed he will

[tetsujin1979]

Henderson to make his comeback for the reserves tonight
posted on twitter yesterday: https://twitter.com/#!/Henderson_91/statuses/184371163298926593

Been a long wait but buzzing to play my first game in 8 months tomorrow!

[Irish_Praha]

Henderson to make his comeback for the reserves tonight
posted on twitter yesterday: https://twitter.com/#!/Henderson_91/statuses/184371163298926593

8 months? That went quick!
Probably not for him though.

[Closed Account]

arsenalyouth.wordpress.com

Henderson makes
comeback in behind
closed doors friendly
Long-term absentee Conor Henderson
made his first appearance of the season
today as an Arsenal XI drew 1-1 with a
young Reading side in a behind-closed-
doors friendly held at London Colney.
Henderson has been absent since twisting
his knee whilst playing for the first-team in
a pre-season friendly against Cologne last
summer. The midfielder, who made his
competitive senior bow against Leyton
Orient last season, played the final 15
minutes against the Royals, with Ju Young
Park scoring for a strong Gunners side.
Henderson is now in contention to feature
in the final two Reserve games of the
season, against Newcastle United and
Everton, and, fitness permitting, is likely to
experience a loan spell next campaign.

[Carrigaline]

Is Henderson out of contract this Summer?

[tetsujin1979]

Is Henderson out of contract this Summer?
6 posts up!

Henderson signs new deal at Arsenal: http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/henderson-and-watt-extend-contracts-with-club

[tetsujin1979]

completed 66 minutes for the reserves tonight, he was replaced by U19 striker Phillip Roberts: http://www.arsenal.com/match-menu/3424639/reserves/newcastle-res-v-arsenal-res?tab=report

[Carrigaline]

Reposted from the match thread, Henderson score a quality goal for us against Italy in the under-21's.

http://www.balls.ie/2012/09/10/unreal-strike-from-conor-henderson-for-the-u21s/

I am starting to get really excited about this guy. He was our best player in a dreadful match against Hungary, and our best player in our amazing victory against Italy. His technical ability looks better than any other of our players at this level. Hope he gets some competitive football either on loan or with Arsenal. Definitely worth keeping an eye out on.

[IsMiseSean]

I read somewhere that Wenger blocked a loan move to the Championship lately to keep him around the first team.

[elroy]

I read somewhere that Wenger blocked a loan move to the Championship lately to keep him around the first team.

Ya thats true, cant remember what club he was to go to but AW pulled it at the last minute, because he wanted him in the first team. Can an Irish lad make the breakthrough at Arsenal!?? He was on the verge of a breakthrough two seasons ago but got a bad knee injury. Hopefully he can maintain his progression and stay injury free now.

[BonnieShels]

Some goal by the lad tonight. Fingers crossed. We could yet be like Belgium...

[Charlie Darwin]

He's definitely ambitious:

“The manager blocked the loan because he said he wants me around the first team,” Henderson told the Irish Independent.

“This is the final season of my contract and I need to be playing.

“It’s a good sign for the future that the manager is protecting me, but my priority is to progress my career.

“I just hope that a move is arranged after I come back from international duty when the loan window re-opens.

“I’ve been at Arsenal since I was a kid but all I’ve played so far this season is reserve games in the new U-21 league.

“That’s not enough at this stage of my career.

“The plan is to come back from a loan spell challenging for a first-team spot.

“If I have to leave on a permanent basis at the end of the season, so be it.”

[Colbert Report]

He's the anti-Gibson.

[Stuttgart88]

Great goal against Italy but if we had conceded that we'd be fuming that nobody closed it down and everyone just stood off him. Like I was saying about the Kazakh goal on Friday, one team's great goal is another's defensive error. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Diarmo]

Henderson has signed on loan for Coventry on a 3-month deal. I had hoped he's sign for a Championship club, and Coventry will be under pressure to get results in League One.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19679810

[gastric]

Henderson has signed on loan for Coventry on a 3-month deal. I had hoped he's sign for a Championship club, and Coventry will be under pressure to get results in League One.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19679810

It will be interesting to see Barton and him link up hopefully. Looking forward to watching Coventry now.

[Diarmo]

It will be interesting to see Barton and him link up hopefully. Looking forward to watching Coventry now.

Made his Coventry debut today coming on in the 23rd minute as they lost 2-1 to Carlisle. Hopefully he can nail down a starting position. Really intrigued to see how he gets on.

[Stuttgart88]

Looking forward to watching Coventry now.Things you never expect to hear in life.

[gastric]

Things you never expect to hear in life.

As a Coventry fan ( no taste I know!) I have been looking for a reason to watch them again, as when Thorn took over I felt they lost all direction. Hopefully with Robins in charge and new loanees coming in, they find their way again!

[CraftyToePoke]

As a Coventry fan ( no taste I know!) I have been looking for a reason to watch them again, as when Thorn took over I felt they lost all direction. Hopefully with Robins in charge and new loanees coming in, they find their way again!

Just need Mr. Mark Bunn in on loan now and you'll be in wonderland gastric.

[gastric]

Just need Mr. Mark Bunn in on loan now and you'll be in wonderland gastric.

We already have a very good goalkeeper ( I think his name is Murphy!) who has tended to pick the wrong team to join, as he has got relegated again. Should be playing at a higher level, I believe.

[liamoo11]

He's the anti-Gibson.

Strange comment. Hopefully by the age of 24 he will be a mainstay in a top premiership club like mr gibson Id be very happy with that. Maybe he will play in a european cup quarter and semi final as well that would be nice. By 21 gibson had been on loan at antwerp and wolves playing over 50 first team games and played senior for us.

[tommy_c12000]

Anyone have the latest on Conor? Hasn't even made the bench for the past couple of wks. Very disappointing . . . .

[Crosby87]

Is he hurt? Just reading all the comments back and then the last one....what happened?

[tommy_c12000]

I read somewhere that he had some strain (might have been thigh) and was doubtful for a game, but that was 3 or 4 wks ago. Surely that would have cleared up by now. He appears just to be left in the wilderness which is very disappointing. Surely he was promised 1st team football when he signed for Coventry on loan. There's not much point going out in loan if you're no playing first team football . . ..

[Colbert Report]

Strange comment. Hopefully by the age of 24 he will be a mainstay in a top premiership club like mr gibson Id be very happy with that. Maybe he will play in a european cup quarter and semi final as well that would be nice. By 21 gibson had been on loan at antwerp and wolves playing over 50 first team games and played senior for us.

Yeah, Gibson did all that and then sat around collecting his wages at Manchester United for a few years.

[liamoo11]

Yeah, Gibson did all that and then sat around collecting his wages at Manchester United for a few years.

I was simply pointing out that if henderson turns out to be as good or better than gibson we will be blessed. I agree it is a pity gibson did not leave a year or 18 months earlier but he is a serious footballer now and now is all that matters

[Irwin3]

Yeah, Gibson did all that and then sat around collecting his wages at Manchester United for a few years.

That's funny. I could have sworn he was making appearances in big games and winning medals. 60 appearances in his 3 full seasons at Man Utd as a young player. I wish some more of our players could sit around and do that.