VA VA GLOOM...

The departure of Thierry Henry to Barcelona is certainly a sad day for Premiership and Arsenal fans all over the globe. There is no denying the Frenchman's contribution to the Gunners over the past eight seasons: 2 Premierships, 3 FA Cups in a career spanning 364 games and a record 226 goals.

Henry cast doubts on his future at the Emirates stadium back on the 8th of June in an interview with American Sports broadcaster ESPN. Henry admitted he was "devastated" by Vice-chairman David Dein's departure during the interview. He
said: "I was devastated when Mr. Dein left the club. I don't know what happened and I don't want to know. As I have said many times, at the moment I am an Arsenal player. But everyone knows that a lot of stuff has happened at the club recently that wasn't supposed to happen”.

It was clearly apparent after the interview that the likelihood of a transfer to Barcelona or one of the the Italian giants AC or Inter Milan looked a serious possibility...


Why should David Dein's departure from the boardroom be such a cause of concern to Henry? There is no doubting the close relationship that existed between the Dein family and Henry and subsequently Arsene Wenger. Dein's son, Darren, is 'personal advisor' to Henry and was also his best man when he got married. Henry told ESPN: "The bosses have been unsettled and a lot of players at the club have now become unsettled."

If Henry was understandably upset at Dein's departure, why use it as an excuse to undermine Arsene Wenger and all the other young players remaining at the club for whom he expressed such 'love'? Are suggested replacements such as Michael Owen or Nicholas Anelka likely to sign for Arsenal now following those comments which suggest Wenger might not even be at the club much longer? How do comments like that help his former mentor who rescued Henry from relative obscurity at Juventus and converted into one of the best strikers in Europe?.

His final season in the Premiership was plagued by injury and the sight of Henry struggling to run during the Champions League exit to PSV Eindhoven was a sad exit from Europe's premier competition. There was also the disappointing Champions League final display against Barcelona when Henry spurned two excellent chances and Arsenal eventually lost out. Arsenal fans will choose to remember his virtuoso performances in the Champions League against Roma and Inter Milan as well as his probably his best ever goal in an Arsenal jersey, the flick up and volley over Fabien Barthez's head against Man Utd in the Premiership.

It will be fascinating to watch Henry in the Primera Liga next season as Barcelona look to retain the title from arch-rivals, Real Madrid. What will be even more fascinating is how Henry fits into the culture of one of the biggest club's on the planet.

At the Emirates, Henry was always the number one name on team sheet, whereas at the Nou Camp he will be jostling for position and more importantly influence with the likes of Eto'o, Ronaldiniho, Messi and Gudjohnsen.

Thierry Henry should be remembered for being one of the finest players ever to grace the Premiership. Few other individuals - apart from Roy Keane - have had such a defining influence on one single club. However, the Frenchman's recent comments about David Dein's departure form the boardroom sound more like an excuse now rather than a legitimate reason for bringing an end to his long association with the North London club.