Thierry Henry picks sides between Arsenal and Barcelona

Thierry Henry, the legendary former Arsenal player, made headlines once again as he expressed his loyalty to the club during a recent Champions League match where Arsenal faced Monaco, and Barcelona played against Borussia Dortmund. This event took place on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, with Henry serving as a pundit for CBS Sports. His declaration of allegiance to Arsenal came amidst discussions about other clubs he has played for, highlighting his deep connection to the north London club. Henry, who amassed 174 goals in 254 appearances for Arsenal, emphasized that his heart lies with the Gunners above all, acknowledging respect for Monaco but firmly stating that Arsenal is his first love in football. In a humorous twist, when asked to name his second and third favorite clubs, he jokingly replied “Number two, Arsenal. Three, Arsenal,” indicating the unique place Arsenal holds in his career and life. The backdrop of this emotional proclamation featured Bukayo Saka scoring twice and Kai Havertz contributing a late goal in Arsenal's win, which solidified their position on the path to knockout qualifications in the Champions League. In contrast, Barcelona, another club close to Henry's heart, triumphed over Dortmund in a thrilling match, further proving his varied footballing loyalties. These events underline the strong sentiments players can feel toward clubs they have played for, and Henry's comments reignited debates among fans about who holds the title of Arsenal’s greatest player. Meanwhile, Arsenal's manager Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, which also showcases the ongoing success the club is enjoying at this vital moment in their campaign.