Thierry Henry believes Arsenal can win the Champions League
as well as becoming domestic champions this season. Henry left the
north London club this summer in a £16.1million switch to Barcelona
after eight highly-successful years which saw him become the
Gunners' all-time top scorer.
The 30-year-old never won a European trophy with the club although
he was part of the side that reached the 2006 Champions League
final before losing 2-1 to Barca. This year, the Gunners have made
a flying start to their European campaign and top Group H after
victories over Sevilla and Steaua Bucharest. They also lead the
Barclays Premier League having dropped just two points all season
to confound critics who predicted a tough season following Henry's
departure.
Now the Frenchman has predicted double success for Arsene Wenger's
young team, telling the Evening Standard: 'I have been watching
Arsenal and see that they are playing entertaining football and
winning every game home and away. 'I know the young players there
very well and they can definitely win the Premier League and
Champions League this season. I watched how they beat Sevilla in
the Champions League and I think they sent out a big message to the
rest of Europe. Sevilla is not an easy team to play, but Arsenal
played a great game.'
The Gunners experienced a period of unrest in the summer with the
shock exit of former vice-chairman David Dein and Henry's departure
followed by uncertainty over Wenger's future until the manager
agreed a new contract at the Emirates. Henry revealed he has
maintained his relationship with his fellow Frenchman, with whom he
started his career at Monaco more than 10 years ago.
'Me and Arsene have been in contact a few times since I left. I
always talk to him because even with the difference of age, the
bond and respect is there,' Henry said. 'It is tremendous that he
has signed a new contract. He has great eyes and just has a talent
for spotting young talent. He is a great human being as well and
that's what makes the difference. He makes players feel comfortable
and always gets the best out of them.'
Henry wishes to say a final farewell to the Gunners fans, many of
whom were distraught at his exit. 'I think I will try and do it in
December because we have a winter break in Spain and I will have
the time,' Henry added. 'I would rather go back in a non-playing
situation and be able to enjoy it. I don't want to get drawn
against Arsenal in the Champions League this season. That would not
be a proper way to say goodbye to the fans. 'When I go, I will
probably just sit in the stands. I won't walk out on the pitch or
anything like that.
'The focus should be on the team and I don't want to draw any
attention away from them and what they're doing. They will be
playing a game and I want to respect that.' The former Juventus
player has experienced a frustrating start to his career at Barca
after being ruled out through injury but he now feels he has
overcome his problems.
He said: 'I played eight seasons without missing anything. It was a
shock to the system to not play for six months and coming back has
not been easy, but I am starting to feel better. 'The pain is going
away and I felt sharper for the first time against Real Zaragoza a
couple of weeks ago. It's been a long time since I felt like
that.
'The atmosphere is good at Barcelona. It is like a family and
reminds me of Arsenal.' Henry, though, is less than optimistic
about France's chances for Euro 2008, with Les Bleus third behind
Scotland and Italy in Group B. He said: 'We are not even talking
about whether we can win Euro 2008 because we are fighting to
qualify right now - I don't know if we will. There is a possibility
that we will be at home watching it.'