Thierry Henry has opened up on his shock exit from Arsenal in 2007, insisting he wanted to ‘compete’ rather than stay in his ‘comfort zone’.
The striker left London for Barcelona forĀ Ā£16million that summer, suddenly calling time on a prolific eight-season spell which saw him bang in 226 goals.Ā
He cried when he left the Emirates and was initially told he would be fourth choice, but he was determined to make a success of himself and win the Champions League.Ā
‘It’s not always easy to have it a certain way at a club [Arsenal], and then you decide to go for various reasons that I mentioned so many times,’ Henry told the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.Ā
‘You arrive at a club that won the Champions League, with [Samuel] Eto’o in the middle, [Lionel] Messi on the right, and Ronaldinho on the left. I’ve been told that I’m going to start on the bench by Frank Rijkaard, but I said I’m coming ā I need to battle.
‘I look for that challenge every day of the week, that’s what I need ā I’d rather compete than be in the comfort zone. To go there, to re-learn to play a certain way.Ā
Thierry Henry has opened up on the reasons behind leaving Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007
The Frenchman spent eight seasons with the Gunners but left suddenly for Ā£16millionĀ
He was going through a divorce at the time from his first wife Claire Merry (right)Ā
‘I was getting divorced, and I arrived there injured, learning a new language, a new style of play ā people didn’t care, and that’s how it should be. It’s life, you have to find a way.Ā
‘At the time, with the divorce, I didn’t see my daughter too much because of what it was, and you have to perform.Ā
‘People are looking at you because you’re the new guy ā what are you going to do? What are you going to show us, we won the Champions League here and you’ve never won it ā that’s how it is, and I understand that and respect that.
‘If you arrive at a club and people welcome you, so be it ā but they don’t have to welcome you. Show them that you can be here and perform. Was it difficult? Yes, it was.’
Henry had been married to Claire Merry since 2003 and the duo had a home in London and a two-year-old daughter.
But a divorce was granted in September 2007 and Henry marriedĀ Andrea Rajacic, his current wife with whom he has three children, in 2011.Ā
Henry’s decision to leave Arsenal did pay off – he won seven trophies at Barca, including two LaLiga titles and the 2008-09 Champions League.Ā
That team, which beat Manchester United 2-0 in the final, is widely considered one of the greatest of all time, with Lionel Messi on the right wing, Samuel Eto’o through the middle, and Henry on the left.Ā
Henry had to learn to be adaptable and selfless, being moved to the left side, but cemented his reputation as one of the era’s greatest forwards by lifting the Champions League – something Arsenal failed to do in 2006 when they reached the final.
Thierry Henry was speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet.
