Peter Hughes
Thierry Henry would not have been able to step onto a football pitch with as much enthusiasm as he did if he was not putting on an Arsenal shirt. That is a fact with the determination showing in every fibre of his body. It is an insult to suggest he is not a real fan. He was not born a supporter but has been back to see the team when able. He joins illustrious company such as McClintock, Wilson and Sansom amongst many others who after playing for the club have become lifelong fans. Also his many quotes and references in interviews show his love for the club. He did leave, but only after we had seen his best years.
When he left many felt it was the right time anyway. He was prone to sulk and many felt he would hold back the team with his constant demand for the ball even when not best placed. In short it was a love affair that could have gone sour but I think he left with the blessing of the majority of fans. When he has returned he was always given a hero's welcome. When he returned with Barcelona I did not think he had his heart in it and did not really want to compete against us.
When he scored it showed us what we have been missing. Song has been prone to miss that final through ball. Henry made it easy for him creating such a large space to pass the ball through that he could not miss. His movement was sublime as he peeled away from the defender who was distracted as Song moved forward. One touch and the ball is passed into the back of the net, a lesson several of our players need to learn. That he remained calm to score when the adrenaline must have been high is testament to his world class ability. It was as though we had gone back in time to an era when we took finishing like that for granted. I do feel that another invincible Robert Pires, should have been given at least another two year contract and maybe we could have kept Henry in peak form a little longer.
What can we expect from Henry now? Obviously the pressure of if he can perform or score has gone. He will probably be used as an impact player coming on for the last thirty minutes in Premiership games if required. My one concern is that he will want to try too hard and injure himself. Unless he has any fitness problems he looks a dead cert to start the FA cup game against Villa. I for one have no unrealistic expectations of him as he has already surpassed them. There is no doubt that when called upon he will give his all. Whatever happens he is Arsenal through and through and when it is all over he can go back to being a fan like the rest of us.
