Giants

Arsenal immortalize NYRB's Henry with statue unveiling

Bronze statue outside Emirates commemorates goal vs. Spurs

(by Simon Borg mlssoccer.com 12-9-11)

It was a moment that even moved the usually stoic Thierry Henry to tears.

English side Arsenal FC unveiled bronze statues for three club legends outside the club’s home at Emirates Stadium in London on Friday, including one of the New York Red Bulls forward, who scored a club-record 226 career goals for the Gunners.

"I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have a statue like this in front of the stadium of the team I love and support,” he told reporters.

The statue immortalizes Henry’s now famous celebration after a dramatic goal against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in November 2002.

"The way the statue is gives the perfect example of the love I have for the club," he said, "me kneeling facing the Emirates Stadium and Highbury behind is amazing."

When he stepped up to give a short speech, Henry shed tears in front of the crowd gathered outside the Emirates.

"I know I don't show emotions often,” he said after a pause. “Some of the time some of the press used to kill me for not showing emotion. But there you go I'm showing emotion right now for the club I love.”

The ceremony was held as part of Arsenal’s 125-year anniversary celebrations that will take place on Saturday. Henry’s statue joined relics for ex-manager Herbert Chapman and defender Tony Adams.

LA vs NY, Becks vs Henry, a MLS photo for the ages

Henry is Still Great

(sportnews4u.com 8-1-11)

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger believes, former foster children who are now defending the New York Red Bulls, Thierry Henry, still appear in the high performance even though he is not young anymore.

It was mentioned by Wenger after his team draw against New York Red Bulls 1-1 at the Emirates Cup on Sunday (31/07/2011). Appearance of 33-year-old attacker was quite impressive. In fact, he is an important actor behind an own goal which made ​​Kyle Bartley.

“They say, big clubs do not ever die, and it’s just as great players never die. Thierry showed us that he is still qualified by the legs and head,” explained Wenger.

“With his head, I know he still has a good quality. With his feet, I do not know exactly. However, he still has a good physical and have prepared him best for this game. I am very excited to see his performance today,” continued the coach Frenchman.

Wenger had hoped Henry could appear to defend his team in the final minutes of the match.

“I want him to play with us in the last five minutes. However, the referee did not allow it. I went to the referee when istirihat and asked him to let Henry performing with us. But, they told us that the rules do not allow players to play on two teams in the game the same, “he explained.

Emirates Cup title ends perfect weekend for Henry

(by Joe Prince-Wright mlsnet.com 7-31-11)

Thierry Henry stood in the middle of the pitch at Emirates Stadium, arms aloft as the ball crossed the Arsenal goal-line. New York players rushed to their talismanic forward to celebrate. They knew how much a winning return to Arsenal meant to Henry.

The Red Bulls captain, who had an emotional day returning to the club he still supports and loves, was extremely happy his current team could send out a message of intent to Europe and beyond.

“At the end of the day, we came here to compete,” Henry said after that match. “It was a friendly tournament, but the win is good for us. We are fighting to get into the playoffs in our conference. It is a good result for the MLS as a league and obviously for the Red Bulls.”

Henry set up the goal that secured the 1-1 tie and the Emirates cup by threading through a pass to left back Roy Miller in the 84th minute. Miller’s cross was then bundled into the Arsenal net by Gunners defender Kyle Bartley.

It was, in many respects, the perfect end to an emotional weekend for Henry, who was welcomed back to the Emirates Stadium by Arsenal fans in glorious fashion. A sellout crowd of 60,011 turned out to see their former striker perform. When his name was mentioned on the loud speakers before the game, a standing ovation from Arsenal fans showed just how popular Henry still is in North London.

Henry certainly found the support he received from the Arsenal fans humbling as he reflected on a victorious weekend in London.

“It was kind of weird; the fans were all cheering for me when I had the ball,” Henry said. “Then I am clapping them while I am playing at the same time. It was weird. I have a strong love for the club and have a great understanding with the fans here.”

“Welcome home Thierry” read just one of the many signs made by fans at the Emirates today. Even when the Frenchman scored a goal in the warm up, the crowd behind the goal celebrated. Henry has legendary status back in North London and is working hard to earn the same status in the US.

The current MLS-leading goal scorer also had a special surprise in store for home fans as both clubs agreed for Henry to play the final 10 minutes for Arsenal. Yet FIFA rules and the referee put a stop to what would have been a nice gesture from Henry to his beloved fans.

“There are some weird rules,” Henry said. “FIFA or the ref denied it. They are the bosses of the game now ... that’s just how it is. I was asked to do it and I said why not. It would have been nice. It doesn’t matter though, I think I played enough games in the Arsenal shirt!”

Henry’s homecoming could not have gone any better as he and his Red Bull teammates return to New York with the Emirates Cup in one hand, and a confidence boost from coming out on top against elite European opposition in the other.

The Red Bulls No. 14 singled out his teammates for special praise, some of whom played two full games two days in a row after a tiring journey to London.

“We don’t have a big squad, so it was kind of difficult for us to put two teams out there,” Henry said. “Some of the guys played two full 90s two days in a row, so you have to give credit to them. It is not easy. I definitely know what its like to run when Arsenal have the ball. I use to be on the other side.”

The waiting is over and he has arrived

(by Kristian Dyer mlssoccer.com 7-13-10)

And now, things will never be the same again.

It was the worst kept secret in the soccer world this past year, but now that the New York Red Bulls have officially announced Thierry Henry joining the team, things for this franchise and this league will never be the same. Henry adds a star quality, a certain cache that the New York franchise has never had. With all due respect to Juan Pablo Angel and players in the past such as Roberto Donadoni, Lothar Matthaus and Youri Djorkaeff – none can compare to Henry on and off the field. This goes for you too, Branco.

And David Beckham? You’re no Thierry Henry.

Henry comes in his prime, a player one year removed from being the catalyst for Barcelona’s dominant run through La Liga and the Champions League. The French international was still desired by a number of top clubs from around the world before making his decision to come to New York official. When he puts on the jersey of the Red Bulls on Thursday afternoon in front of what surely will be a packed media contingent, he will elevate the game in this town to a whole new level.

On the field certainly, but off the field as well.

He may be close to being a household name in this country, a telling sign for a sport that is still very much a niche in America’s sportscape. His endorsement deals have lined him up with sports stars in commercials and his play on the field has earned him the respect of millions. It was Henry, after all, who created a stir with followers of the English Premier League, selling tens of thousands of Arsenal jerseys in this country. His move to Barcelona and subsequent scoring form only elevated his status.

And how, Thierry Henry belongs to us. In his prime no less.

An ambassador of the game, Henry is not saddled with the hype and controversy of Beckham. He is not an enigma, a player who’s off the field antics and celebrity ever having overshadowed his play on the field. Henry has always been one to let his star shine brightest during 90 minutes of sublime play on the field. His signing by the Red Bulls is not just about selling seats – it is about winning this franchise its first ever MLS Cup. Something that Englishman in Los Angeles has never done.

Beckham, you see, has his detractors.

From his fashion to his hair to the shirtless posing, Beckham earned his critics for the business side of his brand. Henry comes with no such baggage. There surely must be a singular critic of him somewhere in the world, notwithstanding Raymond Domenech, but universally, Henry is praised as a teammate and a player. Yes, he is a name, but more importantly, he will score goals.

But the most telling part of his tenure here will be if Henry can lift that MLS Cup at season’s end.

He has a shot to win a title in New York and it won’t be an easy task. You have to go back to 1982 when Giorgio Chinaglia spearheaded the Cosmos to find a New York soccer team lifting a top-flight trophy. The Red Bulls made the MLS Cup in 2008 but played the role of bridesmaid, bowing out to Columbus. Henry’s career might be marked by increased attendance, plenty of media attention and hype and surely a goal or two. But for New York fans, getting that first ever trophy will define his legacy.

The stars are now aligned in New York for that trophy to be brought home.