Gunners fan or not, one could not help but be moved by the emotions displayed by Arsenal great Thierry Henry after his fairy tale return to his beloved Gunners by scoring the late winning goal, his 227th for the club, in a recent FA Cup tie against Leeds United. The French superstar was overcome by emotions following the goal and was speechless post-match trying to explain how he felt when the ball hit the back of the net.
“I come back from holiday in Mexico 15 days ago and I didn’t think I could perform like that again, or score the winner! I really don’t know what to say, I am speechless.
“I really want to help the team at the end of the day and hopefully I can do more.
“The feeling I had when I scored was amazing. I re-joined the team as a fan, whilst before I wasn’t.”
To hear a player talk like a fan in a time of overpaid mercenaries would no doubt endear himself to his supporters in a way few could ever imagine.
Emotions were also running high after the game for his old coach. “It was a story you would tell young kids if you want to tell them a story about football,” Arsene Wenger said of Henry’s return.
Modern football at most levels today is a ruthless pursuit for success and there is little room for sentiment in the business.
Supporters, stakeholders and sponsors demand trophies at the biggest clubs and no one knew better than the 34-year-old striker how lucky and blessed he was at having another chance to play at his old club.
It has been an amazing two months for the man who was honoured by Arsenal in December, during their 125th anniversary celebrations, by being one of only three people to have a statue raised outside Emirates Stadium alongside Herbert Chapman and Tony Adams.
The weepy Frenchman said: “I know I don’t show emotion often. Some of the time, some of the press used to kill me for not showing emotion.
“But there you go, I’m showing emotion right now for the club I love.
“I just wanted to say thanks to my family for being here, my best friends also, my daughter, my mum.”
Henry bagged 226 goals in his time with the Gunners, helping them lift two Premier League titles and the FA Cup twice.
In case anybody was in any doubt as to his feelings for Arsenal, he said: “I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have a statue like this in front of the stadium of the team I love and support.
“The way the statue is, gives the perfect example of the love I have for the club – me kneeling facing the Emirates Stadium and Highbury behind is amazing.
“I also have to thank the fans, you have always been special, and I always try to give my best. I know times it was not enough, but I always give it all out there on the field for you guys and the club.
“It is kind of weird to think of the amount of great players who have played for Arsenal, and for me to be right here, I have to say thanks to all of them, because I would not be able to be right there kneeling in front of this stadium, without them.”
Quizzed about whether he would like to become Arsenal manager, he said: “One day, but when is Arsene going to stop? As I have said before, once a Gooner, always a Gooner.”
Thierry Henry is an example that form is temporary but class is permanent.
Few will forget this amazing return as few would have predicted Henry would turn his comeback game into a fairy tale by scoring the only goal for the match and deciding the tie.
The fact his old manager is still at the helm would make it even more special and it was Arsene Wenger he ran towards and embraced to share the emotion seconds after scoring.
His class, humbleness and genuine appreciation and delight at pulling on the famous North London club’s guernsey once again, is in stark contrast to the unfortunate displays of petulant behaviour shown by spoilt, pampered modern stars such as Carlos Tevez and Mario Balotelli. Well done Thierry Henry, thank you for giving us old romantics something to smile about.
Well done Arsene Wenger in giving a club legend a second chance.
We salute you both and I am sure Gunners fans are dreaming of the glory years once again.
