Henry praise for Wenger

Striking legend hails Gunners' longest-serving manager

Last updated: 1st October 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Henry praise for Wenger

Henry: Joined Arsenal in August 1999

I couldn't see Arsenal leaving Highbury, but it happened. I hope it will never happen for Arsene.

Henry on Wenger
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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has reserved special praise for Arsene Wenger after he became the club's longest serving manager.

On Thursday the French manager officially surpassed George Allison's 4,748-day record set 60 years ago after 13 years at the helm.

Henry insists Wenger has transformed Arsenal during his time at the club, changing them from a boring side into an attractive team to watch.

The striker thoroughly enjoyed his time with Arsenal and believes he could never imagine the club being without their French manager.

Tremendous

"Arsene has been tremendous for Arsenal football club," he told Sky Sports News. "He's done tremendously well.

"I'll never forget the club or him. He's been at Arsenal for 13 years. What a tremendous achievement. I don't see Arsenal without Arsene Wenger.

"I couldn't see Arsenal leaving Highbury, but it happened. I hope it will never happen for Arsene.

"He's the type of guy that you'd always associate with Arsenal, like Tony Adams, Ian Wright, Patrick Vieira and Bob Wilson.

"Arsenal was well known for being a boring team and he's changed that as soon as he arrived with the style of play and trophies we won.

"He didn't have to convince me too much to come to play for Arsenal because that's what I wanted to do. I wanted to play for Arsenal full stop.

"I won't lie, it also helped that he was there. The best advice he gave me was, 'try to stop blaming others and try to see what you can do to help others'."

Henry was brought to the Gunners by Wenger in 1999 and he scored 174 goals for the North Londoners before joining Barcelona two years ago.

He was already a France international before moving, however, he was playing out wide for Juventus - something Wenger quickly altered.

Henry insists Wenger's man-management skills are among his best traits and that he comes into his own when it comes to getting the best out of his players.

Winger to striker

"He knew me from Monaco's youth-team. He saw me playing as a centre forward. He couldn't understand why I was playing as a winger," he added.

"I was already in the France squad and doing my thing on the left, he said to me, 'I don't want you playing on the left, you're wasting your time and you have to play through the middle'.

"He's the type of guy that makes you realise that you can do anything you want. Whenever a player comes to play for Arsenal they suddenly become better. I don't know why or how?

"He will let you do what you have to do when he knows that it is the time to let you play and on another side when he has to talk with you and be honest he will always do it.

"The most important thing is it is a pleasure to play under him and to train with him because he wants his team to play football. He's a great human being on top of everything."

Henry is being tipped to return to Arsenal in the future but, while he concedes he would love to return to the club, he currently cannot envisage in what capacity.

"I'd maybe watch a game or something like that. I really don't know. I'm trying to finish what I started 15 years ago," he said.

"I've always said you go back to where you belong. I've never stopped saying that I love Arsenal and I'll one day go back there. How? I don't know, maybe a waterboy.

"I just love the club and one day I'll go back. I'm not thinking about it right now."

Comments (8)

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Zulfiqar Ali (Arsenal fan) says...

Football is gaining popularity each day in this part of the world and Premier League is being widely followed in this Cricket Crazy country. No matter what team people support here, they all agree on one thing that ARSENAL is the best footballing team in PL. All credit to Wenger, the way he transformed the club not only in terms of football but in other operational and financial aspects as well. Still within the limited resources that he has had, the team is doing wonders. We would definitely love to see more trophies but more important is the philosophy in place. Thnx Wenger for building up ARSENAL and we know we are the TEAM in te long term.

Posted 05:40 2nd October 2009

Mfn . (Arsenal fan) says...

Anyone who loves football, regardless of the team they follow cant help but be encapsulated by Arsene's brand of football. Not only two legends of the modern game but men of true genius in their roles! Congratulations to Wenger and kudos to Henry!

Posted 00:05 2nd October 2009

Rowan Baxendale (Bolton Wanderers fan) says...

Arsene wenger is brilliant manager, done amazing for aresnal and im glad he got the record of longest-serving manager there, definately THE best manager today

Posted 23:24 1st October 2009

Bob Blunden says...

Thierry, you have realised your ambitions at Barcelona so come back play a few games, use your talent and intelligence ( which you have more than most teams ) and push this special club to the next level of football excellence. Ring Patrick and Robert ( who has just purchased one of the new apartments at Highbury ) and form an A team to use your talents to support this special manager in his quest.

Posted 22:22 1st October 2009

David Greenall (Arsenal fan) says...

This is a fantastic achievement, many more years I hope. Nice of LK, I think Arsene & Sir Alex have been as good for each other as they have been for our game.

Posted 22:11 1st October 2009

Thomas Brannan (Celtic fan) says...

I agree that Wenger is an absolute legend and his teams play excellent football...however, this is clearly an important season for all concerned (the club, the fans and the manager) as if he doesn't win the leage or the Champions League then people will be calling for his head on a stick....such is the fickle nature of football nowadays. He has done an excellent job with less financial backing than a lot of the EPL teams and should be commended for this however trophies talk.

Posted 17:49 1st October 2009

Gary Mcf (Arsenal fan) says...

Henry will be a massive influence when he returns to Arsenal. He'll prob take the reins from Wenger one day, after Wenger teaches him everything about management and economics!! No point spending millions on players just to have your team suffer in the long run. Just look at the Banks collapsing!!

Posted 17:44 1st October 2009

L K (Manchester United fan) says...

Two absolute legends of the game! In years to come when you look back to the Premier League era of the 1990's/2000's, Wenger, Henry, Fergie and Giggs will encapsulate that whole couple of decades. It's amazing what Wenger has done at Arsenal, and he has helped create one of the most exciting eras in the history of English football. Together, Arsenal and United created an unbelievable turn around in the English game, and that's almost certainly down to the work Wenger and Fergie put in as managers! Congratulations Arsene!

Posted 16:49 1st October 2009
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