“That will never change” - Thierry Henry makes bullish claim on Arsenal, Barcelona and Monaco when asked to choose favourite club
Thierry Henry recently picked between his three former clubs - Arsenal, AS Monaco, and Barcelona. He asserted that while he enjoyed playing for all three teams, the Premier League giants hold a special place for him.
The Gunners faced Monaco in the UEFA Champions League at the Emirates on Wednesday, December 11, winning 3-0. Barcelona, meanwhile, beat Borussia Dortmund 3-2 at the Signal Iduna Park on the same night. While on punditry duties on CBS Sports, Henry was asked to pick between the three sides.
"I have mad respect for Monaco and that's always gonna be the case, but Arsenal is where my heart is and that will never change," Henry said (via Mirror). "Number two, Arsenal. Three, Arsenal. Anyone that gave me a chance to express and have the opportunity to be on the field, that's my team in that country. In Spain, Barcelona. Monaco will always be my team in France. But Arsenal is Arsenal."
Henry joined Monaco's U19 side in 1999 from Versailles Youth and spent six years at the club, recording 28 goals and four assists in 141 games. He joined the Gunners in 1999 from Juventus and became a club legend, contributing 228 goals and 93 assists in 377 appearances. He won numerous trophies, including the 'Invincibles' Premier League title in 2003-04, with the club.
The Frenchman then joined Barcelona in 2007 in search of European success and registered 49 goals and 27 assists in 121 games. He won the UEFA Champions League in the 2008-09 season, among other trophies, with the Spanish giants.
Arsenal and Barcelona edge closer to UCL knockouts after win over Monaco and Borussia Dortmund
The north London side brushed aside AS Monaco at the Emirates on Wednesday, winning 3-0. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring in the 34th minute before he added another in the 78th minute. Kai Havertz completed the scoring in the 88th minute to give his side their fourth win in the competition this season.
Barcelona, meanwhile, had to dig deep to edge out a win over Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park. Raphinha opened the scoring for them in the 52nd minute before Serhou Guirassy equalised from the penalty spot eight minutes later. Ferran Torres made it 2-1 in the 75th minute before Guirassy again restored parity three minutes later. Torres then scored the winner for Barca in the 85th minute.
The Blaugrana are now second in the UEFA Champions League table with five wins and one defeat in six games. They are three points behind Liverpool and are practically guaranteed to finish in the Top 8 and reach the Round of 16. The Gunners, meanwhile, are two points behind Barcelona in third. Interestingly, they are tied with five other teams on 13 points.