10 Players Who Can Be the Next Thierry Henry

There can never be exactly another Thierry Henry, unless cloning becomes a reality. But, as usual, younger players are always being compared to the great players of the game.

To be able to match Henry's statistics for Arsenal, let alone his whole career, would be a tough ask for anyone though.

Throughout his career so far, Henry has scored 321 goals and doled out 166 assists in 493 games. Of course, he is currently Arsenal's record goalscorer with 226 goals in 370 games in all competitions. He also won numerous amounts of individual awards and was part of many league- and cup-winning teams.

All these players may not be exactly like Thierry Henry, but they do have some time on their side.

In no particular order, here is a list of players who could be the next Thierry Henry.

Theo Walcott

Yes, I know. He has been at Arsenal long enough and there still hasn't been the immense progress we all expected. But Theo Walcott is still capable of being on this list.

He is young enough, 22, and maybe all he needs is to be thrust into that striker position he so desires.

Of course there are some similiarities between Walcott and Thierry Henry; the positions they played, the numbers they wear and the searing pace is about all right now, to be honest.

Walcott still does not have the composure, skill and technique of his former teammate.

To be fair to Walcott, he has looked a more consistent threat down the right wing for the Gunners, and that may be a sign of things to come. He and Robin Van Persie have an increased understanding between each other, and that brings about the Dennis Bergkamp and Henry comparisons.

There may still be time for the young Englishman to fit  "The Next Thierry Henry" billing, but it is uncertain how much longer fans and coaches are willing to wait.

Gervinho

Gervinho is another current Arsenal player who could fit "The Next Thierry Henry" position. For the most part, Gervinho has made an impressive start to life in London.

While their career paths are in no way entirely similar, Gervinho—like Henry—had played in France before his move to Arsenal.

He definitely has the skill and speed but lacks in finishing, but Henry did take a little time to get going in front of goal during his first season in England.

The only other point against him is that he is highly unlikely to be moving into a forward role for the team, though he does have the ability to play there.

Gervinho—like many others on this list—still lacks the composure necessary to be a cool finisher like Henry but with all his other attributes, he may be the closest one to him.

Loic Remy

Fast, French and skillful, Loic Remy hits a lot of the attributes that would go into becoming "The Next Thierry Henry." Oh, he is also a pretty good finisher, too.

Since the 2008/09 season, Remy's goal tally has been in the double digits for both Nice and Marseille. He has an okay amount of assists, but could get better in that aspect of his game with time.

Remy has a slightly similar build to Henry except for being a little shorter and looking a little bit stockier, at least to me.

Loic Remy can also play on both wings, but he has already spent most of his time so far in the lead striker position.

M'Baye Niang

This player is more promise than anything else at the moment. M'Baye Niang made his professional debut for SM Caen at age 16 earlier this year. He can play out on the wings, in attacking midfield or in the striker role.

Unlike some the other players on this list, there are not many statistics to throw at you in the goals and assists department. So far in his very young career, he has four goals for his club.

There were rumors of Arsenal's interest in the summer but for the moment that is just what they are, rumors.

Niang is one to watch in the future, and he does have the looks of a good player about him. "The Next Thierry Henry" label may not be too far off, but at such a young age things may go awry. Hopefully they don't.

Luc Castaignos

Luc Castaignos may not want the moniker, but he has it anyway. Castaignos is probably smart in that he is trying deflect too much attention from his promising career given his young age.

While he has not featured much for his new club Inter, his time at Feyenoord is what caught people's eye. In his one full season with the team, Castaignos scored 15 goals and added two assists in the Eredivisie.

Castaignos has the same lanky features as Henry, and has certainly shown that he can finish. We will just have to wait and see how well he develops at Inter.

Gilles Sunu

Gilles Sunu may seem like a weird pick, but anyone on this list may or may not compare to Thierry Henry. Unfortunately, it is probably more on the may not side.

Sunu recently moved from Arsenal to FC Lorient, and that could probably be seen as a sign that Arsene Wenger had given up on him. Sunu is still only 20 though and may just benefit from the regular playing time in Ligue 1.

In his time at Arsenal, Sunu appeared mostly for the reserves and did okay, scoring four goals and adding three assists in the 2009/10 season.

So far this season he has one goal and two assists for Lorient.

Joel Campbell

Joel Campbell gave suitors a whole summer to watch him perform, taking part in the Copa America, the Gold Cup and the U-20 World Cup. He performed pretty well in all competitions, and even featured and scored against Spain in a recent friendly.

Campbell does not seem particularly close to Henry in playing style but maybe its just his ability to use both feet well, and that's by no means a negative.

Campbell prefers his left, but he can cut in from both wings and can finish from the center as well. He also has trickery and pace in his set of skills.

Currently on loan at FC Lorient, it will be interesting to see how Campbell's career at Arsenal pans out. He may not be the prototypical "Next Henry," but hopefully he can do a good job of imitating him where it matters most—in goals and assists.

Emmanuel Riviere

Emmanuel Riviere is another player who has been compared to his compatriot.

Riviere has 20 goals to his name in French competitions while playing for St. Etienne and now Tolouse.

Riviere has been linked with Arsenal before and though he isn't necessarily prolific in front of goal—those 20 goals coming in 93 games—he could definitely improve his game playing under Arsene Wenger.

Riviere is of pretty good height and speed and if his finishing and other skills improve, he could be "The Next Thierry Henry."

Henri Saivet

Henri Saivet doesn't have many goals about him, but he has still been referred to as "The Next Thierry Henry." Given his age, 21, he still has some time to sort out the kinks.

The only time Saivet has managed to score goals as a professional came when he joined Ligue 2 club, Angers, on loan. He had three goals and three assists in 18 games.

Saivet has spent his career at Bordeaux and has the ability to play on the wings and as a striker. He does not have Henry's height but has the pace and trickery to do some damage.

Benik Afobe

Benik Afobe is another Arsenal product who could be "The Next Thierry Henry." He is already in the right place and has a good amount of time on his hands.

Last season, he went on loan to Huddersfield town and grabbed five goals and six assists while playing an important part for the League One team.

Afobe had some good moments for Arsenal in the preseason, and may get his chance to to suit up for the team again when the FA Cup rolls around.

Afobe has the pace and power to get by opponents and will have time to fine-tune other areas of his game to become a great player for Arsenal.