Henry - I’ll be an Arsenal fan until I die

[Vince]

Thierry's article for the Times:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/ ... 051739.ece

[quote]Henry - Arsène Wenger's Arsenal have shown stomach to prevail in title fight



Like every other Arsenal fan, I know it’s coming up to five years since we won a trophy. But don’t rule us out for the Premier League title this year. You can’t — when a team have proved they can get up off the floor after not one heavy blow to the chin but two, you have to take their chances seriously.

What I mean is that Arsène Wenger’s players took two beatings in big matches — from Manchester United and then Chelsea — and still kept pace with those clubs at the top of the league. Now you look at our remaining programme, starting with Burnley at the Emirates Stadium today, and can see that the other members of the so-called big four are safely out of the way.

With no disrespect to the rest, that has to be an advantage. So we’re very much in there fighting for the big prize. And there can be no doubt now that Arsène’s latest generation have the stomach for the fight. They have survived a lot this season, including injuries to Cesc Fàbregas and, still, Robin van Persie. In fact, you could say that if Van Persie had stayed in the side, we might even be top now.

Of course I get excited about it. I’m a fan. I’ll be an Arsenal fan until I die and if you ask me how that makes me feel about the possibility that Barcelona might meet Arsenal in the next round of the Champions League should we both qualify, I have to say I find the idea unthinkable.

It’s always the same on the day of a Champions League draw. Until I see that Arsenal have been paired with another team, I can’t breathe. Proud though I am to be a Barcelona player, I dread the thought of having to oppose Arsenal. I would hate it. I pray for it not to happen.

You have to be professional in such situations. But it would be weird. At least it would involve a trip to the Emirates and not Highbury. I don’t think I could have gone into the away dressing room at Highbury. I never even saw it in all my time there.

But the Emirates is a modern stadium and both dressing rooms are the same, so maybe I could cope better.

Anyway, let’s leave that subject now and concentrate on the Premier League. Of course I’m delighted. I never miss an Arsenal match on television and naturally I’m one of those who say: “Trust Arsène.â€

[g88ner]

While we are on the subject of gambling, a point made by Arsenal’s critics this season — and last — is that the club have not spent enough money. It is not my place to talk about whether financial prudence is the right policy or not. As I said, I am just another fan who wants to see his team win trophies. But the last thing I’d want is to see Arsenal not competing or, even worse, being relegated, as has happened to clubs run in a different way.

Some nice comments from Thierry.... apart from the bit above /\ /\

I think most Arsenal fans (certainly the intelligent ones) understand that we can't compete financially with some of our rivals, but surely there is some middle ground between spending NOTHING or spending money, going bankrupt and getting relegated?? - I mean surely the margins between the two extremes is not £10m or so apart???

It's this extreme view that gets to me a bit, as if it's a straight choice between spending nothing or bankruptcy.... surely we're being run better than that??

[Rosie_titters]

bloke can right fuck off - full of bullshite

[worthing_gooner]

You cant help but admire the guy. I hope he comes back to us some time in the future! I disagree with your comment chunky but thats one hell of an avatar!!

[g88ner]

bloke can right fuck off - full of bullshite

Eh?

I thought he said some nice things, and coming from a legend who gave the best years of his career to Arsenal, and helped us win many trophies, I'm a little confused by your comment.

[Rosie_titters]

sorry it just pisses me off when ex players, come out with shit like this

two of my fav Arsenal players were Petit and Vieira and both said, i will never play for another PL club i am Arsenal through and through and suprise, suprise they both turn up in different PL Clubs

Henry was great for us and i will always be indebted to him for what he did for us - but don't talk shite -

if Manc City coming calling in the summer he will fucking go

[worthing_gooner]

Na he'd never go to man citeh. No fuckin chance in hell. I believe the guy when he said he's arsenal through and through.

[g88ner]

Na he'd never go to man citeh. No fuckin chance in hell. I believe the guy when he said he's arsenal through and through.

I'm quoting you, as your post was shorter than Chunky's, but I'm replying to both of you really....

I'm not sure being Arsenal through and through, as you both put it, is necessarily linked to whether he retires at another Premier League club.

Vieira, Pires and Henry more than proved their desire to be at Arsenal, as they could easily have gone to Real Madrid or Barca during the peak of their careers, but they didn't..... they stayed with us until they were past way their best! - I have nothing but respect for that!

The fact Vieira has decided to retire at Citeh, and Winterburn joined West Ham is immaterial to me - legends, and they have more than earned the right to talk of us as 'we'!

Hell, Dixon is a Citeh fan, but I still see him as Arsenal through and through, because his performances over many, many years proved as much.

Actions speak louder than words, and those mentioned above more than proved themselves.

[Rosie_titters]

Na he'd never go to man citeh. No fuckin chance in hell. I believe the guy when he said he's arsenal through and through.

thats what i thought about PV4 - but he did, and when Man city come to the emirates - if PV4 scores a dubious goal or handballs it on purpose - will he put his hand up and say I am Arsenal fan till i am dead, it was no goal

Henry would do the same, that shite with the orish has tainted the blokes character - he would shite on us in the CL final against Barca if he had too

[Rosie_titters]

if he want's to come out with this crap about Arsenal fan till i die - wait till you retire and i would believe you

but why there is a chance you could play us - just keep stum

[Vince]

if he says he hates the idea to play against Arsenal while he's at Barcelona, why would he come back in PL?

[worthing_gooner]

He would do chunky if we did face barce, but he'd do it with a bloody heavy heart and wouldnt celebrate for shit. The only reason he'd put it away is because at the end of the day he has a job to do and is employed by barce, that's all. I don't think he'd be really up for the game to be honest.

When vieira left arsenal, he left of his own accord and did well back in italy. When henry left arsenal he looked like he was going to cry in his press conference at his new club.

I love vieira, the guy is a legend, but no disrespect to vieira but henry is more of a genuine supporter IMO and I think we'll see him in the crowd at games quite a lot when he retires... assuming he's not on the coaching staff or management

[Rosie_titters]

if he says he hates the idea to play against Arsenal while he's at Barcelona, why would he come back in PL?

money my friend, he isn't getting regular footie at Barca and isn't a bench player - loves to be centre of attention

and probably would like to show Adebayor what a real footballer looks like

[Henry Norris 1913]

bloke can right fuck off - full of bullshite

wtf? TH14 is a legend

[worthing_gooner]

if he says he hates the idea to play against Arsenal while he's at Barcelona, why would he come back in PL?

money my friend, he isn't getting regular footie at Barca and isn't a bench player - loves to be centre of attention

and probably would like to show Adebayor what a real footballer looks like

Now that would be worth seeing... long as he was injured for the arsenal game