Thierry Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007 after eight years at the Emirates Stadium. The French forward arrived as a struggling player but quickly became a legendary figure for the Gunners. He broke numerous goalscoring records and was a talisman for the club during his time in London.
In 2006, Henry reached the final of the Champions League with Arsenal, a campaign that demonstrated his quality and importance to the team. His performances elevated him to a status akin to royalty among the Arsenal faithful. Despite this success, Henry made the decision to move to Barcelona a year later. At the Catalan club, he went on to win several major trophies, including the Champions League, enhancing his already impressive career.
Henry’s Motivation for Leaving Arsenal
Henry was not guaranteed a starting position upon his arrival at Barcelona. The club’s manager, Frank Rijkaard, made it clear that Henry would begin matches from the bench. This could have deterred many players, but Henry chose to take on the challenge rather than remain in his comfort zone.
Speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, Henry explained his mindset at the time: “You arrive at a club that won the Champions League, with Eto’o in the middle, Messi on the right, and Ronaldinho on the left. I’ve been told that I’m going to start on the bench by Frank Rijkaard, but I said I’m coming – I need to battle.
“I look for that challenge every day of the week, that’s what I need – I’d rather compete than be in the comfort zone. To go there, to re-learn to play a certain way.”
The Legacy Henry Left at Arsenal
His determination to push himself is clear, and it was this attitude that helped Henry succeed at one of the world’s top clubs. His decision to leave Arsenal was not taken lightly, yet it has become a defining moment in his career.
Since Henry’s departure, Arsenal have struggled to reclaim the Premier League title, highlighting just how crucial the French forward was to their success during his tenure.
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He was a dominant player for us, a metric to compare others to, whether that is fair or not.
The last player we had that dominated games like Henry was Alexis Sanchez. I could be wrong, but I have not seen another as determined and prolific as Sanchez in our jersey.
Saka is great, but not dominant the way Henry and Sachez were; yet I may add. We need a player like that in our squad, hopefully a new striker is a step in that direction.
Of course he was recruited as ballboy, and he said he was told by PG, to fetch ball for Messi, or warm the bench.
No, he didn’t look for challenge, no. He was presented with challenge during that Uefa CL final, and he didn’t take it, he disanull Arsene expectation, when all hope was on him to save the match, he failed miserably.
He went to Barcelona to use others to gain trophy.
49 goals in 121 games ?
Hardly a ball boy
RicSAAlao,
Wow, so it didn’t have anything to do with our goal keeper getting sent off then. Which in turn meant we lost an outfield player, in this case it was Pires who was subbed. I think your a bit harsh to blame Henry to be fare.
Man Derek, everybody knew he ruined the game except you, and he should be well ashamed. Behaving corky afterwards.
Arsene pour all of his expertise into this guy, everything. But never mind, there had been a Certain Mr George, a more manner and honourable man.
Few days ago, didn’t we see women showed us how finals should be played.
RicSAAlao
What is your beef with Henry. Are you bitter because he left for Barcelona, surely not. All the things that he helped our club achieve, and you appear to have some kind of grudge towards him.
And regarding your Mr George, a more honorable man. If your talking about George Graham, is this the same honorable man that took a bung form an agent. Yes, very honorable I’m sure. 🤦♂️
As a long standing fan of this illustrious football club.
Knowing that the club is more important than the players…but its the players that win trophies so we can have bragging rights.
I was upset by henrys departure but understood that time waits for no man ..as henrys biggest ability was to run with the ball..dribbling brilliantly may i add.
But he himself said im am sure that his pace was wanning he wasnt the 23/24 year old with pace to burn in the premier league..
So he took another challenge..good luck to him …its arsenal :my club my love: that even trancends my wife and kids..do as we grows older ..and i have supported and defended d
For over 55 years .i will put doubters to rest..3 / 2nd places in 3 years only held back this season by pure bad luck so if your moaning about a player that left nearly 20 years ago…wow i sure a certain van persie../adebayor/ sanchez/ would raise the heckles more than henry…sorry people but small minds live for today and tomorrow not yesterday
As an avid supporter for many years..more than i care to remember.i have supported and defended our club thru thick and thin.
I would like to jump in on this henry debate. He knew he was not as fast as he was when he was 23/24 and in the premier league his main threat was his pace. In his defence another challenge may have been needed..and i for one was devastated when he left for catalonia.but as i support the club ..and the players as they appear for us i for one would not cast aspertions in henrys way…instead look for those who stayed on our shores and rubbed salt into the opened wounds by winning at other so called better clubs.
If he left to win other things away from our shore so be it… so i have no regrets about henrys choice.. ..as an aresenal supporter for over 55 years tells me club first wife second children “who are they” only joking our club,
our
arsenal,
Makes me wonder why he came back then!
As for the CL, if he had put away that chance and made it 2-0 then the CL trophy would have been ours.
Your an absolute legend TH, don’t start spoiling it!!
Ken1945,
How is Henry spoiling his legendry status.
He could never spoil it
I think he did okay in his career lol
Who said he didn’t do OK in his career? LOL
When one starts reading something that’s not there, Dan, it’s the first sign of something going haywire!!
Not at all mate
Me making a comment doesn’t mean it’s an reply to a question
It’s simply me saying given what he won he can’t spoil it