Thierry Henry: The Titi Story

Whether you like him or love him, and no, I’m not going to give you and option to dislike him, because that would be silly, you can’t deny that Thierry Henry is one of the greatest players to come out of French football in many years and will always be the footballing hero to many of us.

Thierry Daniel Henry, or to you and I, Titi, The King, God, Sexy, ect, was born in Les Ulis, a small suburb just 14 miles outside of Paris in France on the 17th of August 1977.

Thierry grew up around football and played for several local amateur clubs but wasn’t initially that into football, as his father, Antoine, would pressurize him into going to training every week because at the young, innocent age of 7, Henry was already showing unique quality on the ball and the ability to find the back of the net.

Because of the eye for goal that Thierry was showing at just the age of 7, Claude Chezelle, a coach for a local football club called CO Lew Ulis recruited him but just a few years later, Thierry US Palaiseau in 1989 but again wasn’t at the club for long as his father fell out with the powers that be at the club, but it was not all doom and gloom as Thierry then joined ES Viry-Chatillon and was there for 2 years.

In 1990, AS Monaco heard the word of a 13-year-old striker who was destined for the top, so they sent out one of their scouts, Arnold Catalano, where Thierry was playing in a match where his team won 6-0. I bet you can’t guess who scored the goals? Thierry did. All 6 of them at age 13, whilst being scouted by AS Monaco. Impressive, huh? Arnold, the Monaco scout, asked Thierry to join Monaco without even having to go through a trial at the club, that’s how much the scout rated the youngster from just one game. Arnold asked just one thing of Thierry – to complete a course at the elite Claire Fontaine academy before signing,but the director of the academy was very reluctant to let Thierry join as his school results were not the best.

Thierry wouldn't be able to pull off that look these days!

After completing the course, Thierry joined Monaco, who were then being managed by non other than Arsène. Shortly after, Thierry signed his professional contract with the club and made his first professional debut on the 31st of August 1994, where his Monaco team lost 2-0 against French side Nice in the league.

After a slightly up and down start to his career with Monaco, he was named French Young Footballer of the Year in 1996, and the season of 1996-1997, he’s powerful, intrusive play on the wings and up front were rewarded, as the club won the Ligue 1 title. The season after his first taste of success, he played an impressive role in Monaco’s role in getting to the UEFA Champions League semi-final in 1997-1998, setting an incredible record for the most goals scored by a Frenchmen in the competition, 7 goals. His third season at the club saw him play so impressively that year and the two seasons before, that he was called up to the France international team and gained his first cap as part of the winning team of the FIFA World Cup in 1998.

In his Monaco career, spanning 5 years, he mainly played on the wing, despite Arsène seeing him as a striker, but he managed to score 20 goals in 105 appearances.

Thierry Henry signed for Italian side Juventus in 1999

In 1999, Italian side Juventus came swooping in for Thierry’s signature and he signed on the dotted line for a whopping £10.5million, expecting a long, successful career in Italy. He joined the side just a year after his friend and teammate David Trezeguet move to Italy to also play for Juventus. Thierry joined the Italian league just a few years after Dennis Bergkamp did, but like Dennis, he didn’t have a good career there, as the Italian league was very defensively orientated and Thierry found it hard to adapt to a style of play that he wasn’t used to with Monaco.

Thierry Henry signs for Arsenal

Thierry moved on in his career and signed for Arsenal Football Club after making just 16 appearances and scoring 3 goals for Juventus. Thierry was reunited with his old manager from Monaco and signed a deal on the 3rd of August 1999 for a fee of £11million and everything seemed to finally fit, he was at a club that was playing attractive, attacking football and he was playing under a manager that he admired and had a lot of time for. What could go wrong?

Thierry wasn’t convinced that he was worth the sum of money that Arsenal had paid for him and he didn’t have the best of starts to his career in North London. Thierry was labelled a replacement for fellow French striker Nicolas Anelka, and was almost immediately transformed into a striker by manager Arsène Wenger, who saw Thierry as a striker whilst they were both at Monaco.

After 8 games at Arsenal, Thierry still couldn’t find the net as a striker, and after many hard months in English football Thierry himself even accepted defeat and said that he “needed to be re-taught the art of striking”. But his first year at Arsenal had passed and he scored an impressive total of 26 goals, sending Arsenal second in his debut season, just a couple of points below fierce rivals Manchester United but also being knocked out of the UEFA Cup Final against Galatasaray.

In the EUFA Euro’s in 2000, Thierry was impressive and his national team France won the competition, boosting his confidence in his abilities even further. In the 2000-2001 season with Arsenal, he was determined to shine in the Premier League and make a name for himself, but after recording fewer goals and assists than the previous year, he still pulled off an impressive season, Arsenal, who were playing an attacking style of play that was breathtakingly beautiful, they still finished second place in the league table, again behind rivals Manchester United as well as against losing in a cup final, the FA Cup, against Liverpool, losing 2-1. Thierry was not impressed with his lack of helping Arsenal win trophies and expressed his feelings and desire to transform Arsenal into a powerhouse in English and European football.

The 2001-2002 campaign came about and Arsenal finished top of the table with a 7 point gap between themselves and second place Liverpool, as well as winning the FA Cup the same year, beating Chelsea 2-0. 32 goals for Thierry in that league campaign saw him become the league’s top scorer receiving the golden boot award, and as Thierry’s confidence shot through the roof, so did Arsenal’s. Finally, Thierry Henry, the £11million pound signing from Juventus was leading Arsenal to glory and scoring a bucket load of goals in the process whilst also claiming PFA Players’ Player of the Year.

The FIFA World Cup came about again that year and Henry was tipped to emulate his domestic success with the national team, but there was heartbreak for Henry and France as they were astonishingly knocked out of the group stage. Henry’s morale looked to have taken another blow, but the Frenchman’s mental attitude was then put to the test the following season.

Arsenal’s 49 unbeaten run, 2003-2004

Thierry Henry seemed to all but forget about the French national team failing in the World Cup the year before, as he become part of a remarkable Arsenal team, a team that marked a landmark record in English football, and Thierry was a major factor in that success, along with the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Robert Pires, Jens Lehmann, Sol Campbell, Lauren, Ljungberg, Vieria and Gilberto. This was the second consecutive year that Thierry claimed the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, as well as winning the FWA Footballer of the Year, but Thierry once against fell short of the FIFA World Player of the Year award, coming in second place behind Ronaldinho, who previously came in third place behind Zidane and Henry the year before.

39 goals in all competitions that year saw Thierry yet again master the Premier League and show his brilliance through his passion and commitment to the game and for Arsenal and he claimed the European Golden Boot, but yet again failed to bring any success to France as the national team yet again failed to win the EUFA Euro in 2004.

Arsenal’s FA Cup victory over Manchester United in 2005

The following season, Arsenal failed to retain the Premier League title as they fell short to Chelsea but managed to reach the FA Cup final again in 2005, beating Manchester United 5-4 on penalties. Although Thierry missed that game through injury, he was still seen as instrumental in Arsenal’s FA Cup run and he still won a winner’s medal. Shortly after that FA Cup win, Arsenal’s captain Patrick Vieria unexpectedly left the Gunners after scoring the winning penalty against Manchester United, and in 2006, Thierry saw a new strike partner in Robin Van Persie (I feel dirty writing his name!) as Dennis Bergkamp announced his retirement from football.

Thierry Henry beats Ian Wright’s record goal scoring tally

Henry became Arsenal’s all time top goalscorer in the 2005-2006 campaign as he overhauled Ian Wright’s record of 185 goals. Thierry went on to score an incredible and seemingly unbeatable record of 228 goals for Arsenal.

In the same year, Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick in his and Arsenal’s last ever game at Highbury against Wigan as Arsenal moved a stone’s throw away to the new, state of the art stadium The Emirates. The emotional day saw Thierry Henry be part of one of the most iconic pictures ever taken of the man, as he goes down on his hands and knees and kisses the Highbury pitch.

Thierry Henry kissing the Highbury pitch.

A kiss goodbye to Arsenal? a kiss goodbye to Highbury? many people and newspapers reported that Arsenal would lose the services of Thierry Henry as he seemed to be saying goodbye to Arsenal when he kissed the pitch, but Thierry stayed at the club despite rumours of a move to Barcelona.

Arsenal then failed to win the Premier League title again but found themselves in the final of the 2006 EUFA Champions League against Barcelona, a day which saw Arsenal lose out to the Spanish giants, after losing the game 2-1.

It was not all doom and gloom as Arsenal secured the signature of Thierry Henry for another 4 years after he signed a new contract at Arsenal, declaring his love for the club and saying that he would be at Arsenal for life. David Dein shortly afterwards had said that he rejected two gigantic bids of £50million for the French striker from two Spanish clubs before Thierry agreed a new deal with Arsenal.

In 2006-2007, Arsenal were dealt several cruel blows as Thierry was constantly bogged down with injuries despite scoring 10 goals in 17 appearances for Arsenal. More blows were handed out in February as Thierry Henry came on as a substitute against PSV in the Champions League, but not long after coming on, the Frenchman began limping, and the hearts of Arsenal fans sank, as their talisman striker, the man who lead them victory multiple times in season upon season, was ruled out for up to 3 months, which meant he missed the rest of the season, and little did the fans know at the time, that would be the last time they would see Thierry Henry in an Arsenal shirt….. Or was it?

Thierry signs for Barcelona

In 2007, instead of Arsenal hearts sinking, they were shattered, as Arsenal announced the sale of Thierry Henry to Spanish club Barcelona for a fee of €24million, a transfer that was certainly one that took the footballing world by surprise, especially after Thierry just signed a 4 year contract with Arsenal. Thierry left Arsenal with a heavy heart and constantly said that Arsenal was “his club” and that he would always be open to a return, whether that would be as a coach or even as a ‘water boy’.

A new chapter in Thierry’s career was opened as one closed, and Thierry scored his first goal to mark a new beginning against Lyon in the Champions League in September of 2007. 10 days after his first goal in a Barcelona kit, he scored a hat-trick against fellow Spanish side Levante in the league and although Thierry was mostly played as a winger, he still managed to find the back of the net, something he never failed to do in his Arsenal years.

Haven claimed he wasn’t happy with his first season in Spain and having said he ‘missed home’ (Arsenal) he was Barcelona’s top goalscorer that season scoring 19 goals with 9 assist, one behind top assister of that season Lionel Messi.

The following season, Henry was more impressive in front of goal and won his first ever trophy with Barcelona, the Copa del Rey in which they managed to beat Athletic Bilbao and soon after this accomplishment for both Barcelona and Thierry, the club went on to do the treble – the Primera Division and the Champions League.

The season after, Thierry found himself warming up the bench because of the emergence of Pedro. Thierry started 15 league games in the campaign and the Barcelona club president at the time, Joan Laporta said that Henry could leave in the summer if he so wished, as he only had a year left on his contract.

Thierry Henry signs for New York Red Bulls

2010 came about, and Thierry Henry maybe not surprisingly joined American footballing team New York Red Bulls in the MLS. The Frenchman made his debut for the club in a 2-2 draw with Houston Dynamo on the 31st of July and pulling off two assists in his first game.

Scoring in the MLS didn’t came long after as he scored his first goal for the club in a 2-0 victory against San Jose Earthquakes in the quarter-final of the 2010 MLS Cup Playoffs.

Thierry Henry returned to Arsenal to train in the MLS off-season to keep fit and prepare for when the MLS kicked off again, and Arsenal signed him on a 2 month loan deal on the 6th of January 2012. Wenger initially said that Henry may not feature for Arsenal in his loan deal and was seen as many as ‘not physically fit enough’ to again play in the ever increasingly fast paced English game.

Thierry Henry’s emotional return as he scored in the FA Cup tie with Leeds

Tears were shed, hairs stood up, the day Thierry Henry returned to Arsenal and scored his goal, the goal that will forever be stamped in Arsenal’s history as a historic memory. I have watched this goal many times over, and every single time it never fails to raise the hairs on my arms and neck, as well as bring a tear to my eye. Thierry Henry’s goal v Leeds was without doubt one of the greatest moments we will ever see.

“You said you didn’t want to be a hero when you returned..” Thierry: “That wasn’t the plan.”

His emotional interview after the game showed his class as a person, not a player, as he was saying it was ridiculous that he was crowned man of the match, even before he came on off the bench.

Thierry Henry scored his second goal in his last game at Arsenal against Sunderland in stoppage time to win the game 2-1. February 17th, 2012, the legend returned to America to his parent club New York Red Bulls to prepare for the seasons return.

To date, Thierry Henry is still at New York Red Bulls and is still pulling off some exceptional goals, such as some of the following:

Amazing Bicycle Kick Goal

World Class Equalizer from Thierry Henry vs Toronto FC

Thierry Henry with an ABSOLUTE BANGER from distance | New York Red Bulls vs Chicago Fire

The Henry statue outside the Emirates Stadium

What does the future hold for Thierry Henry? the man himself said he is undecided on whether he’ll end his career or whether or not he’ll extend his contract with NYRB in the MLS, but Arsenal fans see a different path for the Arsenal legend and some fans see him as a future successor to Wenger, whilst others see him as an ambassador or even a coach at Arsenal.

The future

I asked my followers on Twitter what their favorite Thierry Henry goal was, and their answers are as follows. (Clicking on their @ Twitter name will direct you to their Twitter page.)

@Rambo_AFC simply replied with a Vine video of this wonder strike: https://vine.co/v/hEQl6aL39Bu

@Gunnerblogger97 said: “Backheel vs Charlton 04/05″ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqDq_byhIIc

@HardsMark said: “Real Madrid away in Champions League followed by Man Utd swivel shot” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyAYSm4Ud8o

@UpdatingAFC said: “The one against Manchester Utd 2001 I think” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyAYSm4Ud8o

@gooners4evah said: “The Leeds goal in 2012! I almost cried” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExPNxsVJA9E

@GonnerUpdates said: “The goal versus Leeds I honestly cried for a good few minutes, it was very emotional for myself and my father” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExPNxsVJA9E

@V888BEN simply said:” Leeds goal” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExPNxsVJA9E

@Gooner457 said: “that goal against the Spuds” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dhrfO_OBdtU

@Gunnerblogger97 again said: “Goal vs Leeds” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExPNxsVJA9E

I think people liked the goal vs Leeds, don’t you…?

I then asked my followers a different question – What role would they like to see Thierry Henry be in at Arsenal in the future, if any? and again, the replies are below:

@Tilley_Gooner13 said: “Manager after Wenger”

@Tjdougan said: “Assistant manager”

@ckeogh1971 said: “An ambassador”

@V888BEN said: “Up front”

@ArsenalBFG said: “Assistant manager for sure, any player playing for the club in the future would have huge respect for Thierry.”

@GoonerUpdates said: “Possibly him and Bergkamp return, one of them manager the other assistant, I couldn’t decide which one I’d want to manage.”

@Wild_Squirtle said: “Ambassador/Coach”

@Gunnertweets said: “Ambassador”

@UpdatingAFC said: “I would want him to take over Arsene Wenger when he retires! I think he will do a massive job!”

@Gunnerblogger97 said: “Ambassador”

And finally, @tjzbrin said: “Striker coach”

So, Thierry, if you’re reading this, which I know you’re not, BUT IF YOU ARE, when the saddening day comes that nobody will be able to see you grace the pitch again with your presence, the door, as you know, will always be open to you at Arsenal Football Club.

Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry, Thierry Henry!

With thanks to @GoonerUpdates for helping me get responses to my Thierry questions.

Published 8th Febuary 2014

Written by our new writer Avalon @AvalonAFC

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