Henry Doesn't Want To Play Against Arsenal

Anyone else think TH likes his 'nice guy' image a bit too much?

Not for me. I just believe he is a true Arsenal fan. Footballers can love teams and the game just as much as the fans. Say Arsenal ceased to be, could any of us support another team with any real enthusiasm? Plus Henry is risking the wrath of the Barca fans with these statements about not wanting to play and calling Arsenal "we".

Yes Henry can lay it on little thick at time but I find it easy to forgive him. I think he's being genuine here, esp. since he's been saying stuff like this ever since he arrived at Barca knowing that he's risking generating resentment from his new club and new supporters.

With all the hype surrounding the game it's inevitable that Henry is going to be asked about facing his old club, and as is the same with Arsene Wenger, I think Henry is just answering the question as honestly as he can, whether the answer *****ies some people off or not.

I meant to add, the crux here is that I don't really believe him. I struggle with the concept that a footballer who has reahced the immense heights of sporting excellence would really find it that difficult. Sure it'd be emotional pre match, but when that whistle goes professionals of this standard wouldn't have any problems blocking it out. I just doubt Henry got to the levels he did as a professional by being such a wimp.

Given that Th 14 is smart enough to know what the reaction to this statement from the Barca fans will be, that he says all that he does anyway is a really rare thing for a footballer to do. In a world full of professional footballers who view clubs as employers atleast some like TH seem to view a club as their own.

But it didn't need to be said did it? It's just an image preserving thing and to be honest, I don't buy it anyway. He knows full well it won't be difficult when the whistle blows and the game begins, this is just an attempt to ham things up. If this were Vital Barcelona, we'd all be livid.

He was asked about it, and he gave an honest answer. He could have given the token "It will be emotional" answer, but why should he? If he doesn't want to play then isn't it his right to say so? Thierry is a smart bloke, as well as knowing full well that Barca fans wouldn't be happy with the statement, he was probably well aware that some people would also claim that he was laying it on thick for appearances sake .... but he said it anyway.

LD, you are being well harsh on Thierry. I would rather hear him laying it on thick for the benefit of Arsenal fans, than to the yapping of of other ex-players who seem to like taking pot-shots at us. Thierry has never made one comment about AFC, that was not supportive since he left. I don't doubt for a minute that he meant every word of it. Why shouldn't he feel that way? When he was here he was King Henry, he had the adulation of all Gooners and the aplause of even the away supporters. I don't give a fig for Barca fans or what they might think. They acquired him as a luxury player, just because they coveted him. And if I had a Barca fan in front of me, I'd tell him- you might be his employer, but he will always be OUR Henry.

I agree with all of you. I agree with you LD in that it was unneccessary, attention-seeking and unprofessional, but as you also alluded to, it was acting - and that's why it has got to the level he has, it's not being a 'wimp', it's playing to the croud. It was this very quality that you refered to in your rather brilliant tribute to TH a few months ago. He's MORE than a good professional, he's an excellent entertainer. He loves to be loved and feel like he belongs here - that is genuine, sometimes though he just puts on a superficial image to achieve that love. He could've shut up and had a word with Guardiola, and it is very arguable that he should have done, but it's nice to see a footballer able to break the conventions of publicity once in a while. Personally, I agree with you in that he shouldn't have said it so explicitly - perhaps replace the "I don't want to play against Arsenal" to "I'll find it difficult to play against Arsenal" and then give Guardiola the word, but I find the general argument of professionalism over entertainment in media somewhat flawed.

I don't doubt you're right Amos, though they won't be happy about it. This is what I mean, he knows where the adulation is and that's what he's shooting for, a bit of adolescent swooning. Rocky, that's what I'm saying, I don't believe him, I don't think for one minute it will be difficult for him once that whistle blows. Vieira was here for 9 years, but when he came back it was just business for him. I don't think 99% of Arsenal fans would say he was laying it on thick, I think if most are honest with themselves, they'll think it deep down but not dare say it. Me? My bull*****-o-meter is going doolalley. I've no doubts whatsoever he still harbours great feeling for the club, but the amateur dramatics are a bit transparent are they not?
This has always been part of Henry's make up. Like I say, he loves to be loved and that's absolutely fine, but he always had a tendency to be ott with it. In hislast two seasons, witness his half arsed performances in front of small sections of Arsenal fans at away matches compared to how he played to a capacity Highbury crowd. I saw this comment and thought, "hmmmm, bit unnecessarily OTT there Thierry, but then I'm not surprised." I'm not lashing out at the bloke by any means, I realise a lot of Arsenal fans put him on a pedastal and I've always found it tricky ground to say anything that suggested Henry's turds didn't smell of rose petals. But he's clearly being a bit try hard here isn't he? Don't tell me you honestly can't see that in your objective heart of hearts?

I can't believe I've just read that. After all the slagging he's had these past few months, if the one place he doesn't have any credit left is Arsenal, then where is it? Hasn't he brought his own daughter along to watch Arsenal, who cheered when we scored. Clearly an Arsenal fan. For just ONCE, can't the cynics in this country just credit someone with a genuine emotion. If you can't see the hurt in seeing Thierry Henry playing AGAINST Arsenal, the club that made him, then there's not much else I can say.

Henry is an Arsenal legend. I think he should be respected and cheered when introduced, either at the beginning or when he comes on as a sub, and then roundly booed every time he touches the ball. He used to be one of us but now he's not, and if cheers turning to boos throw him off his game, so be it if it gives us an edge that translates into a win. Of course, if he plays for Barca like he did for us against Barca in 2006, we have nothing to worry about.

To me his words say, "I don't care who I upset, I've got what I came here for and I've made the decision I'm moving to the states in the summer for a last lucrative hurrah", he knows how badly Wenger and all of us want that big eared mug (no not Linekar) and wants no part in denying us it. Of course he's a show off and a vain fu**er but unlike 99% of footballers he's got every reason to be, he's won it all and done it with as much va va feckin voom as any human being will ever muster.

TH will always be one of very few legends in my mind. I take his word to heart and believe them 100%.

LD I'll rather be sentimental and have that good feeling about the likes of Henry and Bergkamp than Adepaymore because in all honesty they have paid their dues. If Henry says he does not want to play against Arsenal please believe it as what it is, not some PR for the fans. In any case we like him which ever way. I still go back into the archives and relish some old games that bring back smiles to my face. I still marvel at some of our goals. TH vs Manure and Bergkamp 3rd vs Newcastle

LD - Henry's comment is backed by every word he's spoken since he left Arsenal. He's clearly an Arsenal fan, his heart is at Arsenal, he refer's to Arsenal as 'We' ...I personally wouldn't enjoy being part of a team playing AGAINST Arsenal in the CL, once you've got love for a club the way we love Arsenal no other team can compare to that. Of course he didn't HAVE to say it out loud, and yes he is a show man and he was asked the question by the media so why shouldn't he answer honestly? I believe every word he said, deep down i do because he has no reason to lie.

http://www.football365.com/john_nicholson/0,17033,8746_6046521,00.html - I know LD's read this, but it's a very intersting article. Someone actually PRAISING Wenger :P

Does anybody remember the champions league final when the disrespectful Barca fans were chanting Henry's name? Or when that retard ran onto the pitch and gave Henry that shirt? I will always love Henry and the fact that he is upsetting those SOB's because of what he said makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. I hope he plays at the Grove so he can get the heros welcome he deserves!

Henry to score the winning goal that kicks Arsenal out of the CL..Mark my words,its gonna be a fairytale story with no happy ending for you guys..

Oh, one other thing: Apparently Arshavin told the Sun we need more "real" stars to win something. WTF? On the official site there's an article in which he praises Bendtner, so I wonder if that is just *****-stirring by the media. Or Arshavin needs to have his head checked

Well said LD. afri-gooner, I'm sorry man but it's the players on the pitch that bring the emotion. We live and die with them. We praise them and condem them. We get excited when we sign a real talent and moody when we see them leave. Yes, the club is always number 1, but why should we forget them once they move on? Why should we not look at Henry and remember him for all he did for this club and in the wake of players like Cole and Adebayor, why should we not feel proud because of the way he speaks about this club? He is a legend!

You're right LD, no-one is going to get stoned to death for speaking their own mind, and in my mind I don't believe he's over playing it for the crowd. I don't think he's trying to garner love from the Arsenal fans, he's trying to tell us that as well as us loving him, he loves us too. And in times when footballers seem to get more self centred by the day, it's something I greatly appreciate from Henry.

Oh and another thing Dazspuds, what about Jamie O'Hara, an ON LOAN spuddie player, coming out and saying that he hopes you lot get knocked out of the FA Cup, eh? Give me Thierry and his "love letters" to Arsenal any day of the week.

Atleat JOH is being honest...No hard feelings there..the boy just wants to play,where he will be back at Spurs next season

O'Hara back next season? Oh, you don't say! I'm sure we're all quaking in our boots. Ha, ha.

ha ha Julz.you crack me up lil one...Cant wait til you get to the Lane...Its been a while since we have had a good rivalry game...and guess what..Henry is my all time player..Rated him the best in my years of watching..So just loving the fact he is a Barca player now..

Probably not no LG, but then most ex players don't talk quite as much as Henry does! I like to think I'd be even handed about any Arsenal player, current or former. I don't particularly have anything against Henry, like I said, it tends to come across that way because the tiniest piece of micro criticism towards him is treated as heresy, picked upon and gnawed at. My only point here is that I don't really believe it's as much of a deal as he says it is.

I mean eloquent last words and all LD, nobly put. Now approach the stake quietly if you will son.

Although I don't agree entirely with LD's sentiment, I don't think he's 'slating' Henry. He's just made an observation, and one I personally think is correct. I don't think he's pointed out a flaw in character as such, just an element of Henry's character that he thinks is sometimes used in excess. Personally I agree with all of that, but I actually quite like the fact that he 'lays it on thick', because even if what he's saying isn't genuine, what he means is.

Umm I think you've taken my posts a little literally Tim, I was actually poking a little fun at those who won't hear anything other than glowing praise for the fragile little statues they pedastalise. Thought it was glaringly obvious really!

Your spidey senses are off kilter, I myself was wielding the unseamly sword of sarcasm too in that last sentence.

My spidey sense is always off kilter mate, I'm sat here covered in my own web as we speak. A hex and a pox on genital warts, I had them for a year! acid, freezing - nothing worked :( I had one giant one I called manic miner - cos it had made it's way half way down the shaft.

I don't think anyone in this debate -- LD or the Henry defenders -- have been too strong in their comments. Don't see a lot wrong with LD's comments or with those who've expressed disagreement.

"As for my persistence in one thread, you should know well enough that it's hardly our of character for me to argue my point ad nauseam". Yep, LD. That will be you, alright. Okay; "slating" Henry, you did not, but, hey! Give the man a break. I don't see it as "exaggerating", rather him expressing his first, true emotion, for any number of reasons; Henry is very deliberate in all of his actions & words and must be 'communicating' to someone or group (Arsenal fans or Barca Management); but, like I said, if he is picked, I have no doubt he will play to score goals. It is, afterall, a Job. And, if you are a Witch, before you are burnt, how about casting a losers' spell on Manure and Chelsea for about 2 games?

Not at all, I think it's magnified because you won't get many Arsenal fans doing anything other than lavishing him with god like praise. There again, if I'm honest, I loved the footballer but I never warmed to the character where Henry was concerned.

I'm sure his golden boots, multitude of medals, player of the eyar awards and his millions of pouds are of no comfort to him right now.......