No-one epitomizes the Arsenal spirit than their top scorer, Thierry Henry. Born on 17th August 1977 in Les Ulis, Paris; he grew up in a tough neighbourhood. Little did we know that the scrawny boy from Essonne would be one of the most feared strikers to grace the Premier League.
His journey to the top is a fascinating one. Much like a lot of the young and promising talent out there, Henry was praised for his skills; but criticized for his lack of passion. He started off his professional career at Monaco under the tutelage of Arsene Wenger. In just a year, Arsene left Monaco for the unknown and foreign shores of Nagoya; leaving Henry to fend for himself. After blossoming at Monaco, Juventus came calling as they saw a raw gem in Henry. Someone who could be moulded into a superstar. By then, Wenger had already established himself at Arsenal FC and was looking to add steel to his threatening Arsenal side. He was out in the market for a striker and that’s where he crossed paths with his student of old. It didn’t take much convincing to make Henry leave Juventus and join on board the Arsene project.
Embed from Getty Images
Read: Should Oxlade stay or leave?
What followed can only be termed as a dream, as Henry was instrumental in their double winning season of 2001/02 and the Invincibles of 2003/04. By then, Henry had turned all the potential that people had seen in him into a final product. He was every defender’s nightmare as his dribbling, silky touches and outrageous finishes left them scratching their heads. He was the hitherto force that had no cure, no stopping whatsoever.
There was nothing more ‘Henryish’ than a classic side footed into the corner of the net. The Premier League has seen the geniuses of Bergkamp, di Canio, Le Tissier, Cantona; but Henry was a different class.
Being a United fan, my hate for any Arsenal player during the title-battles of the early 2000’s is justified. But for a player of Henry’s stature, my hate grew to envy. Manchester United had talent of their own, but the fact that I wished Henry played for Manchester United goes to show the kind of player that he is; one in a million. Watching him play was soothing to the eye. In such moments of brilliance, your rivalries take a back seat. It just goes to show that no matter where your loyalties lie, Henry demanded respect and adoration from his fans, and rivals alike.
Merci Dieu pour Henry
