The Barca- Arsenal final was a less than fitting end to Thierry Henry’s career with Arsenal if that is what he indeed chooses to do. Henry has been extremely tight lipped about his future plans. With Barcelona as one of the clubs that is willing to pay an outrageous amount for his transfer and the chance to play with Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o where he’ll get a chance to shine with the big boys, who can fault him for being tempted?
But will he do it. And that is what Arsenal and Arsene Wenger are asking right now. No other player has been tied to the ascendence of Arsenal in recent years as much as Thierry Henry. He was a part of the glory days of Patrick Viera, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Viera, Sol Campbell, Ashley Cole and Emmanuel Petit that are all but gone. But he was a goal scorer then. Thierry Henry’s role is different now.
The 2005-2006 season showed that Arsenal can do really well with the talent that they have and a bit more consistency. Thierry Henry through his leadership skills and experience has led the younger players to be Arsenal’s gut in the future. Emmanuel Adebayor, Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure, Frank Ljungberg, Matthieu Flamini, Phillipe Senderos, Theo Walcott and others. His contribution to Arsenal cannot be measured in terms of goals but just as invaluable as captain, as spokesperson, and as an overall intelligent player and scholar of the game. He has borne the vissicitudes of top flight football with impeccable grace and forged a relationship with Arsene Wenger that Alex Ferguson can only dream about with his players.
Soccerblog thinks that he will be back with Arsenal. The European champiosnhip showed that he does not have to be in the company of Ronaldinho or Samuel Eto’o to come close to the ultimate prize. There are a number of top flight players leaving La Liga and the Bundesliga joining the EPL. And if all goes according to plan then he will be locking horns with the likes of Michael Ballack, Andrei Shevchenko, and overseeing the rise of young Theo Walcott in his club. And then there is the new stadium to create another history, another era. In many ways, this phase of Thierry Henry’s soccer career will be far more challenging. As player and and leader of a team that can beat the likes of Barcelona and Real Madrid. And join the ranks of the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas, and Eusebio.