Henry urged to be Frank over
exit
Arsenal legend Frank McLintock has accused Barcelona-bound
striker Thierry Henry of making excuses over his impending
departure.
Henry is on the verge of a £16million move to Barca, with the
Gunners confirming only a medical and other formalities had yet to
be completed.
Arsenal's talismanic captain, who only signed a new four-year
contract last summer, has cited the acrimonious exit of
vice-chairman David Dein and the refusal of manager Arsene Wenger
to commit his own future beyond the end of the forthcoming season
as his reasons for leaving.
But former defender McLintock, who skippered the club to their
first league and FA Cup double in 1971, was having none of
it.
He said: "I think it's a reason, like most players make a reason
up.
"I would rather he just said: 'I've had great years at Arsenal,
I've loved it there, I think it's now time to move on'.
"I would rather hear a player saying that.
"I'd prefer a little bit more honesty. He should say: 'I think it's
time for me to move on. I think I can maybe win more honours at
Barcelona, because of Arsenal's financial set-up at the
moment'.
McLintock is particularly sceptical about Henry's relationship with
Dein.
"I can't see the relevance of David Dein's departure," he
said.
"I don't know how a player can get caught up with a director's
departure and that making a difference to a player's
performance.
"I'm sure David Dein did a marvellous job but I think his
marvellous work would have been done with Arsene Wenger.
"That would usually be in the office, talking and working out
financial settlements.
"I'm sure he was a great ally to Arsene Wenger - but I don't see
how a player comes into contact with a director day after
day.
"I've never heard such talk in my life before.
"I never remember seeing any director apart from the then chairman,
Denis Hill-Wood, who used to come in before the game and wish us
all the best.
"That was the only time we ever saw any directors.
"I'm not trying to knock what David Dein's done, because he has
done a smashing job, but I don't see where the relevance is between
a player who plays for the football club and what is contact is
with him [Dein].
"It's not as though he's in his pocket every day and he's all of a
sudden missing him badly."
McLintock accepts Henry, who scored a record 226 goals in 364 games
for the club, has more of case regarding his concerns about
Wenger's future.
But he added: "It might be a genuine reason, I don't really
know.
"It could be just another excuse for moving on. Most players seem
to say something to prevent the fans turning on them, so they can
leave with a warm feeling."
Despite his reservations, McLintock hailed Henry as Arsenal's
greatest player ever.
"He didn't play well last year and even part of the year before,"
he said.
"But he's probably been the finest player Arsenal have ever had so
you can't dismiss five or six great seasons that he gave us.
"You've got to hand that to him.
"I think the fans should leave with a warm feeling for Thierry
Henry. He deserves it - he's been magnificent."
