It was a July something day and Thierry Henry had just signed his new contract with the spanish giants, FC Barcelona. Sadness fell over the Emirates and a spirit of dominance and utter "unstoppability" took over the Catalan club. Henry left a legacy as one of the all-time great Gunners in Arsenal history while leaving an even bigger questions mark, how would they survive?

As it would turn out.... quite nicely. The English club dominated their table for the majority of the season, only to slip two spaces towards the end, and to be eliminated in the quarter finals of the Champions League. Despite failing to win a major trophy, Arsenal played some of the most attractive football in all of Europe and ushered in a new era of play. Many pointed at the recent departure of Henry as the key to unleashing this new style. Which is why it's come to be called, "the Henry effect."

Now what does all this have to do with Barcelona? Well, I believe that it is a definite possibility that the very same effect could occur with Ronaldinho heading for Italy. The squad has been under a cloud of uncertainty and unrest ever since the drama of Dinho began funneling to the press, and now that the situation has been settled, the team can focus on what is important. Winning the league table. 

With Ronnie out of the picture and Peppy G implementing his own coaching tactics, it's possible that Barcelona have been released of all that pressure, allowing them to return to their glory of 2004-2006. The key players are in position, and the training has begun. We will just have to wait until August to see if Ronaldinho's goodbye can spark "the Henry effect."  Lets just hope that Barca can solidify the title and finish out the Champions League on top, instead of dropping off the table when it matters most.

Today, the Catalan Giants announced the official signing of Aliaksandr Hleb from England's Arsenal. He will arrive in Barcelona around 1 p.m. and will continue to go through the medical processes until 7 tonight. After the tests are completed at the Barcelona Hospital, it is expected that he will be presented as an official member of FC Barcelona sometime tomorrow.

Hleb will be the sixth signing for Barcelona in this very active, and I would say productive transfer window, following Caceres, Keita, Pique, Alves, and Henrique. Even though it is a recent signing, it was one that took weeks to finalize. Much speculation surrounded Hleb's satisfaction at Arsenal at the end of the season, and he was linked with a move to Barcelona or Inter Milan for much of the summer. Now that Hleb has been purchased, it seems the Russian Arshavin will most likely go to Arsenal due to the fact The Gunners will have the extra cash, and Barcelona no longer have the need. I would still love to acquire the little maestro, but it's a slim possiblity.

With the departure of Ronaldinho, one could assume that this signing is helped by the funds provided by AC Milan, and the need for a creative force on the left, but Hleb will most likely be filling the shoes of another departed Barca member, Deco.

Deco's ability to pentetrate defenses with his passing and brilliance was key to much success for Barcelona, and that style of play is exactly what makes Hleb a good signing for the club. He's not a goal scorer, but the Belarus international has terrific vision, an uncanny work ethic, and a passion for playing. The signing of Hleb will stir up the depth chart for that left attacking forward position, with Iniesta, Bojan, and possibly Henry (if Eto'o plays up top). But as far as this fan is concerned, Hleb looks to be the right kind of player for what Peppy G is re-constructing at the Nou Camp.

Samuel Eto'o has been an essential member of the rise of FC Barcelona over the past 3-4 years.  His insatiable hunger for the back of the net has led to some spectacular moments during his career at the Nou Camp, however reports throughout the entire summer have cast a shadow of doubt over whether or not the Cameroon striker will remain in Spain. 

I say he stays.  And I say that he storms back as the rampant ruiner of madridistas dreams.  Why?  I'll tell you.

Ever since Sammy made his way into top flight football, he's been a striker capable of holding his own up top.  It takes an ego to be able to pull that off day in and day out, and that ego was supplied a feast for the better part of his timein Barca.  His play on the pitch was never the problem.  It was his attitude that constantly needed adjustment.  I believe that the attitude problems derived from more than a "lack of appreciation."  I believe that he truly desired to be the star offensive force, or "the man," up top.  With Ronaldinho claiming that spot for so long, it's no wonder he grew frustrated.  He is easily one of the top strikers in the world, and yet he was never the star attacking force of his squad.  Now that R10 is out of the picture, I believe that if he chooses to stay and play under new coach Peppy G, he will feel the recognition he desires and help eliminate some of the off field drama. 

 Yes Messi is the primary force in the squad now, but because he is so young, Eto'o does not feel threatened by him.  I mean come on, how can you stay mad at a kid who travels across the world to show up to training early, just to play 30 minutes, for the sole purpose of making the fans and his team happy.  Messi is still "a kid" and with the uprising of wonderboy Bojan Krkic, there is definitely more youthful talent to come.  Let's just hope for us Barca fans, the potential of a Henry, Eto'o, Messi strike force will produce glory, and not disappointment.