Henry ends doubts with pledge to stay at Arsenal
ARSENAL fans have had little to cheer about this season, but will wake this morning to the news that Thierry Henry has committed his future to the club. Such is the Frenchmans importance that his signature is worth more than any trophy.
After refusing to discuss a new contract with the club, Henry had been expected to join Barcelona in the summer, but has had a dramatic change of heart. The Spanish giants have been tracking him for some time, with Joan Laporta, the clubs president, recently revealing that they would do everything in their power to sign him, but his incessant phone calls to the players agent appear to have fallen on deaf ears.
As Arsenal prepare to move into their new Emirates Stadium, Henrys renewed commitment will ensure that they approach the future with confidence. The truth is I love this club and Ive made my mind up to stay, Henry says in The Sun today. I can say to all my fans and the people who care about me, I want to lead the team out in the new stadium.
Henry has only 1½ years left on his contract but will sit down with Arsenals board in the next few weeks to discuss a new deal. Peter Hill-Wood, the clubs chairman, has previously stated that they are willing to make him the highest-paid player in their history and it should not take long to hammer out the details of a new £100,000-a-week contract.
Henrys future has been the talk of English football in recent weeks, with everyone seemingly chipping into the debate as to whether he should stay or go, and the dilemma has even affected his own form. The 28-year-old has been a shadow of his effervescent self in recent weeks, shrugging his shoulders with seeming indifference as his side have struggled, but revealed that the support of Arsenal fans had helped him to come through a difficult time.
After reaching a career-defining decision, he can expect to hear even more from them in the coming weeks. Im still only 28, but when I see the fans and the way they talk to me it helped make my decision, he said. They didnt boo me or make life difficult for me on the pitch.
We need to move on now. Im staying here to build one of the best teams in Europe. We need to be competitive. The club said it was up to me and now its up to them. Ive made my decision and I cant say more than that.
Such was Arsenals anger at Barcelonas incessant pursuit that they were considering reporting the club to Fifa, but Henry insists he never met or spoke with anyone from the club. There was a lot of ridiculous speculation, he said. But the truth is this I never spoke with or met with a single person from any other club at any time. If I do commit myself for life I hope the club and the board will the same way as I do.
Above all, Henrys decision, announced on the eve of the clubs FA Cup third-round tie at home to Cardiff City, represents a triumph for Arsène Wenger, the Arsenal manager. The Frenchman has endured a difficult season as Chelsea conquer all before them but, after selling Patrick Vieira, Henrys willingness to sign a new contract will reinforce his belief that his young side can challenge for trophies in the coming years. Yes, I would like Thierry to stay with us for the rest of his career, Wenger said. I want him to be part of our team. I am confident we can achieve that.
There was more good news for Wenger yesterday when Robin van Persie, the Holland forward, signed a new contract that will keep him at Arsenal until 2011. Jens Lehmann, the Germany goalkeeper, and Robert Pires, the midfield player, are expected to follow suit, albeit on much shorter deals.
After 18 months at Highbury, Van Persie, 22, had no hesitation in extending his deal. Ive really enjoyed it here and it was never a financial thing, he said.
