News Conference Expected To Confirm Henry Deal
(Goal.com) - Arsenal have called a media conference for 1400 BST - where it is expected they will announce that Thierry Henry has signed a new four-year deal with the North London Premiership club.
Henry, 28, had one year left on his existing contract and was widely tiped throughout the media to move to Barcelona.
However, following he Champions League final he told The Sun: "I hope to stay as long as I can keep running. I couldn't leave the fans."
The Press Association then quoted an Arsenal source as saying: "There are just one or two things left to finalise."
Although Henry had tipped to leave after the Champions League final, probably to Arsenal's victorious opponents, he dropped a hint that his future would take a different course when he criticised Barca immediately after the game, accusing some of their players of kicking him and others of diving.
Then on Friday he said: "I love Barcelona, but on Wednesday Arsenal showed they had heart. I hope to finalise details today (Friday)."
Henry joined from Juventus in August 1999 and has become the club's record goalscorer with his tally currently at 214.
He was recently voted Football Writers' Association player of the year for the third time, and in his acceptance speech, he said that he now considered London his home.
On the flight back from Arsenal's Champions League final defeat in Paris, he is reported to have told passengers "we will come back next year."
His decision to stay will be a massive shot in the arm for the club, who will open the new season in their bran new Emirates Stadium after outgrowing Highbury, their home since 1913.
It will also be a huge boost for Arsenal fans, and for manager Arsene Wenger, and will help soften the blow of losing Dennis Bergkamp, who is retiring after 11 years at Highbury.
Arsenal goalkeeping legend Bob Wilson told BBC Radio Five Live: "I was very confident he would stay and just thrilled, as all fans will be.
"We are still a bit edgy and miserable but it's a fantastic boost for the fans."
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Comments
wow. I hope this is true!
Posted by: arsene | May 19, 2006 10:04 AM
Yeah, good decision Henry. Since he became captain he has been phenomenol so keep it up.
Posted by: Left Back | May 19, 2006 11:28 AM
Yes! Arsenal is Henry's home. This is great for the EPL and of course, all Arsenal fans.
Posted by: yellowback | May 19, 2006 02:49 PM
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: mike | May 19, 2006 05:42 PM
HENRY IS THE BEST
DO NOT BOO HIM
YOU KNOW HE IS THE BEST
Posted by: HENRY | May 19, 2006 10:46 PM
henry did a great thing by signing with arsenal again. he followed his heart, not the money. i heard that he said that he decided to stay after seeing fans and team-mates crying after the loss in the champions league final. great job henry... YOU'RE THE MAN!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | May 20, 2006 02:07 PM
Henry is my role model. he made the right decision by staying in Arsenal.Henry, i just want you to know that we are there for u even here in egypt
Posted by: ahmed helmy | May 20, 2006 03:24 PM
man dang im a little bit disappointed by hearing this. when i was watching the final in paris and i heard the commentator saying that henry might move to barcelona, i paused the game and jumped up frum the couch and ran into the computer room so i could research this. since barcelona is my favorite team and ronaldinho is my favorite player (henry is my second favorite) it would be amazing to have my favorite team with my two favorite players playing with the same club. barcelona would dominate. but even though he has decided not to move to barcelona i still respect his decision because he followed his heart and his passion for football. good luck henry and keep it up.
Posted by: Robert Thompson | May 20, 2006 06:56 PM
this is awsome... i get to see him play this summer!!!!!!
Henry is like my hero and he made the right choice
Posted by: Adam | May 21, 2006 01:00 PM
If Henry decided to stay in Arsenal because that is where his heart is, then that is what everyone should accept. He is the one that is playing not us. We cannot make his own life decisions for him. Personally, I think it is a great thing he decided to stay because if he had gone to Barcelona, it would probably be like Real Madrid, where you have enough stars but they are not able to perform enough for whatever their reasons may be. You will have Henry, Ronaldhino and Eto and other stars as well. I love the fact that he decided to stay because since he joined Arsenal they have won the Premiership chanmpionship and have just gone to the Finals for the UEFA Championship as well, who else will be able to perform as he does for Arsenal if he lives. Because of his stay, Arsen Venger is not going to live to go and coach England anymore. That is love and communication and also dedication for a club that you love dearly. If he also stayed for the fans (Henry), that will also be a bonus because he would have some more fans for the respectabul thing he did.
Posted by: Lewis M. | May 22, 2006 08:28 AM
HENRY I LOVE YOU MORE THAN ICAN SAY.
I DONT EVEN HAVE WORDS TO EXPRESS MY JOY U MADE GREAT DECISION. WE WILL BE BACK IN THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEXT YEAR.
I HOPE WE CAN DO SOME THING BETTER NEXT YEAR.
THANK U HENRY.
Posted by: ELYAS SEGNI | May 22, 2006 09:22 AM
henry get your *** on barcelona
Posted by: pablo | May 22, 2006 09:25 AM
I'm very glad to hear Henry is staying at Arsenal. It's not like Barcelona really NEEDED Henry. They have Eto'o and the next world class striker in Messi.
Posted by: ForzaItalia | May 22, 2006 12:24 PM
Umm, "Lewis M." the reasoning that Madrid has all the great players but can't perform is because they get too big headed. They all think they are the best so the don't work as a team. And I am glad Henry didn't go because there would be the same cause. Ronaldihno and Henry together wouldn't work.
Posted by: Bulooba | May 22, 2006 08:35 PM
He made a great choice! You know what, Henry likes to stay left side and dribble into the goal. Ronaldinho also likes to stay left side of the field and make magical plays. These players can`t live together. And I am sure Henry knew it. Also, Arsenal has great coach for TH, he help TH get out from Juventus, team that plays tons of fixed games.
Posted by: Japan goo goo | May 23, 2006 06:01 AM
Henry is staying.....hooray for Arsenal fans(actually i'm a fan of Arsenal too*Hehe*)Barcelona DO not rockz....
Posted by: Anonymous | May 23, 2006 07:30 AM
Never join Barcelona.....They had a lot of good players....already...I hope u'will play in Arsenal until the day u retired...U're the best...
Posted by: Henry's Fan | May 23, 2006 07:36 AM
HENRY YOUR TE BEST. YOUR MY NUMBER 1.
Posted by: christiaan | May 23, 2006 08:32 AM
Henry you are the best !! YOU are the number 1 of the world ! I think tou are cool !!
from jolandi
Posted by: Jolandi | May 23, 2006 08:40 AM
Henry is staying in ARSENAL BARCA dream on!!!!
Posted by: MAd | May 23, 2006 09:55 AM
Henry is my favorie player in the arsenal team that is why i bought the whole uniform. He made a good choice by staying with Arsenal. And he would have made more money on Barcelona,
Posted by: Arsenal Fan | June 20, 2006 10:37 PM
In awe of that anwesr! Really cool!
Posted by: Malerie | November 29, 2011 05:02 AM