I confess to rather a few different emotions regarding the departure of Thierry Henry, disappointment, sadness, sympathy, relief and even anger & confusion.

The disappointment and sadness are obvious emotions that will be shared by millions of fans not just from Arsenal, but all true lovers of the game in England. Sure Man.City, Portsmouth, West Ham….. fans won’t miss seeing him bearing down on their goal and scoring against them, but many WILL miss the shear beauty and entertainment of an on-form superstar.

Sympathy goes to the player who perhaps feels that his trophy cabinet still isn’t full enough, though it is tempered by the fact that his income must surely have been just a little bit of compensation. The relief, is that the long running loyalty / sulking saga is finally over regardless of the outcome, though I admit it would have more than suited had it gone the other way.

Anger? I’m trying to understand his apparent reasoning that the departure of David Dein and possible long-term future doubts over Arsene Wenger were too much for him to contemplate, but I can’t (so what is new in Wenger waiting & waiting before signing an extension?). Sorry, but it is crap. He knows full well that neither will be there to hold his hand at Barcelona but strangely, based on his logic, that isn’t an issue. Honesty, even if it was derogatory towards Arsenal’s future would have kept me onside, we are entitled to our opinions, but I really don’t think he has been.

Then there is the confusion. Firstly, why did Arsenal allow him to leave when he still had 3 years on his contract - I’m not aware there was any get-out clause, but I guess someone will correct me on that? Secondly, if other clubs such as AC, Inter, Liverpool… were interested in the player why were Arsenal so quick to sell him to Barcelona, especially for what many will regard as a bargain price – holding on for a while & keeping him on the transfer Merry-go-round would surely have raised the transfer value, but they clearly weren’t interested, or maybe that bothered?

Could it be that the Arsenal board are so sure that Wenger will remain at the club that off loading their club’s all-time top scorer was viewed as a minor issue if the Manager no longer felt him integral to the future of the club? Did Wenger ‘help’ an uncommitted, sulky, Henry on his way? Afterall it is almost certain that Arsene was allowed the final word. Maybe Wenger felt Henry could no longer shine as he once did in the Premiership, but could blossom in a league that both Reyes and Baptista could cope with. Maybe Arsene felt Henry was harming, rather than nurturing, the confidence of his youngsters. 

Many feel that this departure is simply another sign that Arsenal are a selling club, but with almost 2 months left of the transfer window (over 1 month before even the high profile friendlies / Champion’s league qualifiers begin) it is an argument that might very well fail the test – perhaps come the start of the new season I might agree, for now it is far to early to pass such judgement.

Be seeing you   MysticBeg

like it mystic. Nice points and I must say I agree with you on every issue.

I am looking positively on the future and am confident in Arsene. Perhaps we will see the likes of Berbatove or Eto up front for the Gunners next season. Either way I think Henry is past his best and with a lack of passion will only be an expensive spectator.

your anger part , is entirely wrong i think henry was upset at DD leaving, because it puts arsene's future in jeopardy , hence his own,but more importantly arsenes legacy ,his young teams future.!
and the clubs that he was commited too , yet arsene isnt.. and maybe barca was henrys only wish .. we wouldnt repay henry by just selling off to a club he didnt want to goto .quite simply a 30 year old is worth 16 mil at best .. you can say
chelsea are the exception to the rule . yes they are and so is there unlimited spending :)

apparently the buyout clause in TH's Barca contract is over 84m which if true means Arsenal have been treated as suckers in selling at 16m, or have they got what they secretly wanted + money on top?

Wonderful and exciting observation. Every career needs to be enhanced, be it soccer,accounts,acting or just about anything. Henry deserves to enhance his career too. To me he's the greatest player i've ever seen since i started watching soccer. Am an ardent gunner but am happy particularly for him. Let him archive his goals becaues it's everyone's right. His price tag? is dissapointing because we all know wat he's worth. Best of luck wonder Boy u'll always be close to my heart.

He wanted to go to Barca. Wenger, due to respect, allowed him to do that. He won't do well there.

The club flogged Henry for such a price for the simple reason of avoiding any disruption to the preseason. Wenger is aware that its going to be vital for our prospects next season, hence sacrifying few million quid from the deal!:)