Is Thierry Henry really Arsenal's greatest ever player?
'That' run which ended in a goal against T*ttenh*m at Highbury, the mesmeric strikes against Inter Milan and Real Madrid, a rare header in the dying seconds to beat Manchester United at Emirates...we all have our favourite Thierry Henry moment.
I've only been watching Arsenal for 30 years, so there is a plethora of players I never got to see in their pomp, but for me, Thierry Henry was something special. I never thought Patrick Vieira's influence would be surpassed, but Henry managed to score goals where others wouldn't even think of trying to shoot and it's fair to say that at times, he carried the team.
So I'm not exactly surprised that Titi has won the Greatest Player accolade on the Arsenal website.
When a player leaves Arsenal though, however much I may revere and respect their efforts, a bond is broken. It's like being told you partner is sleeping with someone else when you're supposedly happily married - things can never quite be the same again.
Imagine if Henry plays against us for Barca next season...there may be some wistful moments and an appreciative applause from us Gooners, but when the whistle blows, it is us against him and I want him to fail.
As a kid, I remember watching a young Dutch kid, who had more skill than I'd ever seen before, and I daydreamed about Arsenal signing him. No wonder he went to one of the Serie A giants when the Italian game was the best in the world.
The day when Dennis Bergkamp signed for Arsenal, I was driving, and I had to pull over due to shock. Arsenal simply didn't sign players of his calibre, and certainly not foreign internationals still at the peak of their game from clubs like Inter Milan.
Bergkamp was a watershed for Arsenal, a watershed for English football. He was the first 'big name' player to arrive at these shores not wanting to simply pick up the money and enjoy one last hoorah before retiring. He came to win.
Six trophies later and after endless moments of sublime football, what more fitting way to open the new Arsenal stadium than with a testimonial for the Ice Man - a player who, once he joined us, never left.
Forgive me for quoting the Arsenal website, but I think they sum it up better than I can: 'Some players elicit admiration, some provide inspiration, and a precious few can do both. Bergkamp was one such individual. His cast-iron technique was forged on the youth team training ground at Ajax and his steely character developed at Inter. But his best years will always belong to Arsenal.'
Has there been a more talented Arsenal player? I don't think so.
David Alexander
Reader Comments (13)
i too wanted Bergamp to b No 1
Number 1 forever: DB - not just his sublime skill (we faulter nowadays because we have never replaced him) but because he showed inspirational loyalty and commitment to Arsenal that only Gilberto has mirrored. There is no one like him in the modern game of journeymen footballers. I miss him dreadfully. Could he ever return as our Manager? I'd love that
No, Henry was something beyond Bergkamp. He was the emblem of the Invincible our greatest moment.
Yes....Legend is No. 10 Bergkamp (I'm not sure I spell right?) But I'm sure every Gunner knew who is he..
Henry and bergkamp for me should be joint best arsenal players.followed by vieira in second!!No doubt about that!!
Thierry Henry was one of the greatest players arsenal ever had. he was also one of the fan favorites. however, in his last season he lost a few of his fans because of his irritation towards players when they did not pass him the ball. i think dennis bergkamp was Arsenal's greatest player followed by Henry.i still remember the match against everton in the 2004- 2005 season when arsenal scored seven goals mainly due to DB10's killer passes which ripped everton's defence apart. at the end of the match the whole stadium was shouting "1 more year" because at that time there was speculaton that DB10 would retire.
No !!! He never changed Arsenal the way others did, (Adams, DB, McClintock, Mercer) - he was part of a great team but not the greatest individual player.
I have been watching the Gunners for MORE than 40 years!! He is the greatest. On his day he could do what he wanted - just like Maradona. Leeds, poor side but he decided to play and beat them on his own virtually. No other player in my time made the oppsition fans gasp. I have heard them. - actually gasp when went into overdrive and left a puffing defender in his wake. And not just pace he could play. Remember, Spurs at home, Liverpool at home, Roma, Inter etc etc etc Dennis, Limpar (dont forget), Adams, etc but Thierry was the King(and he is a Gooner)
I have been watching the Gunners for MORE than 40 years!! He is the greatest. On his day he could do what he wanted - just like Maradona. Leeds, poor side but he decided to play and beat them on his own virtually. No other player in my time made the oppsition fans gasp. I have heard them. - actually gasp when went into overdrive and left a puffing defender in his wake. And not just pace he could play. Remember, Spurs at home, Liverpool at home, Roma, Inter etc etc etc Dennis, Limpar (dont forget), Adams, etc but Thierry was the King(and he is a Gooner)
I would never argue that TH made us gasp...certainly he was an incredible player. But his attitude, which I am told played a big part in his departure, affected my opinion of him somewhat.
DB was a watershed plyer for us, and moments like the Newcastle goal when he flicked the ball around Dabizas, will live in the memory forever.
Dennis Bergkamp is Arsenal's greatest player. Henry brought us specail moments and was one of the best but Dennis gets by vote and my respect the team started really with him as the focal point between 95/98.
titi is the best arsenal has ever seen,no doubt about that! the goal against liverpool at highbury plus the one against madrid at the bernabeau are just the best he scored whilst at arsenal... so true TITI is numero uno!!!!!!!!!!!
titi is the best arsenal has ever seen,no doubt about that! the goal against liverpool at highbury plus the one against madrid at the bernabeau are just the best he scored whilst at arsenal... so true TITI is numero uno!!!!!!!!!!!