In case this was not on TV in the States, Sky Sports interviewed Thierry right after the game, asked him about his kissing the Highbury turf, etc., and then Henry said, without prompting: “We’re not in the Champions League yet. We still have to go through the qualifying rounds.”
Technically, that’s correct, of course. As a fourth-place finisher, we’ll have to see off a gang of Estonians or some such to reach the actual CL draw, but the BIG thing was that Thierry — who was relaxed and standing around with Cole, Toure and Gilberto — came right out and said “we” without a pause as though the question of where he might be playing next year has never even been raised.
Maybe this is wishful thinking, but all the hints (helping recruit Walcott, inviting Adebayor to his house just to welcome him, walking off after today’s triumph arm-in-arm with Arsene) suggest that Thierry already has decided to stay, that AW and probably some others know it — but they want to get max mileage out of a dramatic announcement.
With everything else that’s happened this year, why not?
12 Responses to “Slip of the tongue?”
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May 7th, 2006 at 9:55 pm
I hope you’re right. Henry’s displays in just the last 3 games shows a hunger that I will always want on my team. There is simply no more accomplished striker in the world. He has the most lethal combination sublime skill, pace, patience and clinical finishing as exists today.
May 8th, 2006 at 12:08 am
I think everyone hopes that your hypothesis is correct.
I thought he either simply had not made up his mind, OR he was definitely leaving.
Why NOT give positive news ahead of these big matches, as opposed to having all the folks and players speculate??
I don’t think if he was DEFINITELY GOING to stay, that there would be any reason to wait in giving the announcement. It wouldn’t make sense. He doesn’t like having to answer the questions about it, nor to his team-mates or management like to answer questions about it. Its not HELPFUL in preparations for the CL Final…
I’d say that today, might have helped him decide?!! But if he wanted to make his decision without emotion playing a big factor, then he wouldn’t be making it today!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At season’s end… perhaps he can look back and look forward and say, this is whats best for me.
I’d love him to end ALL speculation on what he’ll do… and say he’s staying TOMORROW.
Let’s hope that happens, as the man is an amazing football player, and growing into a good captain as well.
May 8th, 2006 at 12:38 am
Personally, I expect to hear nothing definitive from Henry about him staying, until after the CL game in Paris– I think he may be using the fear/concern that he may leave as a motivational factor to get the best out of his teammates– if they think he may leave, because he can’t win/hasn’t won the CL at Arsenal, then they may be motivated to give their utmost to achieve the goal which will cause him (Henry) to stay… you may not agree with this motivational tactic, but I think it’s a distinct possibility that Henry wants to leave just that little bit of doubt in the minds of his teammates, as a way of fending off any complacency between now and May 17– if true, and it works, then it will have been perhaps his most brilliant stroke of genius in the captain’s role.
P.S.– I also think Henry loves to play with Pires and wants to see him back next year– did you see the embrace he had yesterday for Pires after Pires’ goal, and also after Henry scored– contrast that with the disdain he showed for Reyes after that one bad forward pass in the first half and after the penalty spot score– I think Arsenal risks relatively little money to hold on to Pires (who is, after all, the 2nd leading scorer on the team this year, AGAIN), even should Pires fall apart the next 2 years– with the new stadium, Arsenal can afford to make a mistake like that– in order to keep Henry happy… Pires still scores goals, and Henry loves to play with him– what more reasons do Arsenal need for keeping him around, when they can easily afford to do so?
May 8th, 2006 at 1:33 am
Good point about Pires. But I doubt AW would do that. He sticks to his principles and is unlikely to bend it even for Henry. Funnily, if Pires leaves, I think it will help Reyes, because he will get more games on the left and it will help him gel with Henry.
May 8th, 2006 at 1:41 am
I think Henry will stay, but for sure, he won’t announce it before the CL final.
The only difference between Barca and Arsenal is that they are league champions two years in a row, while we haven’t even challenged for the title during the same time. But this young team will be up there soon. I am sure Henry knows that.
May 8th, 2006 at 2:34 am
02:35 EST
Why is my keyboard swirling! 2 Boddingtons and 4 pints of Guinness, a 00:00 broadcast of the 40th game and last game at Highbury finds me at my keyboard.
I must be gay!
I think I?m in love with Thierry Henry #14.
I love Denis Bergkamp #10. I wanted number 122 for Dennis so bad.
Never has then been a greater day!
It felt as good as going unbeaten to win fourth today.
All I could think was, good on the lads this pressure has been removed, and now all we need to do is play a great game in Paris. No worrying about the EPL, Arsenals great play and the oxymoron of Westham beating Sp*rs of the eastside of London today have detached that tension. DannyT, talk about your prediction of Sp*rs bottling and then this most important last game, what can I say,
I spent the entire match clutching one the crest sewn to the front of this cranberry jersey.
What a game! 1-0, 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 4-2, and then the Hammers 2-1: I am beside myself with joy. The salt stains crown this jersey.
Man am I drunk. Man am I happy. Man I have never been prouder than to kiss this crest today.
Up the Arse.
Believe!
On to Paris ? this is Arsenals year.
Thierry kissed the turf! All is well with the Earth and I can now fall asleep in my stupor.
May 8th, 2006 at 2:56 am
The Morning after the night when I had alcoholism poisoning..Sould be a day off. Called the boss and tell him I’ve Spurz poisoning.
You fcuking Cu*t Pu**sy Spurz scumm*y cheat bast**d. Oh God I’m soo happy to see cheats gone down in sh*t. I hate cheats and Spruz you are all cheats.
As for Henry people should give the guy a break and let respect his decision. Whether he stays or leave he was part of history. A very rich history.
Don’t read too much into his comments. Even his family and close friends don’t know what he will do apart from his Wife.
There are lots of factors and nothing to do with money but when it comes to Arsenal he will be thinking :-
1. What will happened to A. Cole and R. Pires knowing DB10 is leaving.
2. Does Reyes have a future at Arsenal.
3. Who is coming in after one of the most hilarious season with no real replacements.
May 8th, 2006 at 2:59 am
I must be gay!
Ha.!!!!!!!! You coming out :(. Now I understand why you were soo pissed off with Sol.
May 8th, 2006 at 3:53 am
There have also been reports that his agent, Jerome Anderson, has apparently been saying that Thierry has not made his decision yet and that he is very happy with the deal Arsenal have offered him.
Thierry has said that he wanted to sit down with Arsene Wenger at the end of the season to discuss his plans. I think this is very significant. If true, what Thierry is saying is that he wants assurances from Wenger that he will remain manager throughout the length of the contract offered to Henry - ‘I stay, if you stay’
Wenger’s contract ends in June 2008.
May 8th, 2006 at 5:43 am
No point in Henry making his announcement prior to the big game either way. He wants to win the CL and he can take a bit of pressure off the rest of the team if all the press is fully focused on him going to Barca or not. It also puts a bit of pressure on Eto’o who seems to be getting sick of hearing Henry’s name.
It defnitely wouldn’t be about money for Henry to go.The motivation I can see is that not only can he prove himself a great player in more than one league, he could also go and lead the charge against racism in Aragones’ back yard. Barcelona’s not such a bad place to live either, english wives don’t mind it you know.
But why would you go? Our team did learn a lot this year and is only going to get better in the next 2 years. We have 3 of the best (young) defenders in the world in Toure, Cole and Eboue. We have 2 of the most exciting midfield talents on the planet in Febregas and Hleb. We also have an array of strikers for Henry to play with and the partnership with Adebayor didn’t look too bad. Add in the rest of the squad and it starts looking good.
May 8th, 2006 at 11:10 am
1) I think Cole stays. Pires is as good as gone to Spain.
2) I think he does. I see no reason to let him go. While very frustratiing at times, he’s still got loads of talent.
3) Is there still talk of Rosicky from Dortmund? Perfect replacement for Pires.
May 8th, 2006 at 11:25 am
No, I’m not being outed today. I woke up this morning wondering why my tongue felt so furry, and why I was sucking on my Jersey like a whelp. I’m just glad there’s no tattoo parlours around my residential home or I might of had a nasty surprise somewhere on my body: I heart Henry, a cannon with some big balls, who knows what else.
I was thinking I really shouldn’t post after I’ve had such a good time and imbibed so much beer, but damn was I happy and who wouldn’t be after yesterday..