Thierry stays!!!

[desie]

According to "The Sun", with whom he has an exclusive deal:

I'm here for keeps
By SHAUN CUSTIS

THIERRY HENRY has answered the prayers of every Arsenal fan by deciding to remain with the Londoners.

The Gunners skipper will lead the club into a new era at the Emirates Stadium after deciding on a four-year-deal.

Henry, 28, told SunSport exclusively last night: “I hope to stay for as long as I can keep running. I could not face leaving the fans. They are like my family.”

He admitted Arsenal’s battling display in their 2-1 Champions League final defeat by Barcelona made up his mind.

Henry added: “My team showed me I didn’t have to leave. They showed me they had heart.

“Everything was up in the air for a very long time. But at the end of the day, the team raised their game.

“Don’t get me wrong. I love Barcelona.

“But on Wednesday night, Arsenal showed me they had heart.

“After we lost on Wednesday, I went over to our fans and clapped them and they clapped me.

“I hope to finalise all the details today.”

Frantic negotiations involving Henry, his advisers and Gunners officials took place yesterday and they will continue today to finalise the contract.

The French international striker’s decision to stay finally ends a year of speculation over whether he would join Barca.

Henry had been hinting over the last week he was leaning towards staying in North London.

When he was awarded his Player of the Year trophy by the Football Writers’ Association, Henry said he considered London ‘my home’.

And on the plane journey back from Paris in the early hours of yesterday, Henry told fellow passengers over the tannoy: “We hope to be back next year.”

 

[DB10]

Told ya's.

 

[7zark7]

That is awesome news. I have a good feeling about next season. New staduim, all cashed up for big signings, great youth.

Bring it on!!

 

[Arsene Wenger]

just read a report on BBC myself - so glad he did this so soon !!

 

[Rocco Jones]

Great player, great man.

 

[Sco]

As much I hate Arsenal, he's a great player and its great to watch him play.

Well done for staying, good to see loyalty, no doubt he would've been offered more to join Barca and Real.

 

[toorakbum]

I've always had the utmost respect for Henry, he's one of the best in the world and a pretty decent bloke. You don't find many like him. And I enjoyed the way he spoke out after the CL final, even if it was a bit over the top.

Annoyed he'll still be in the Premiership though

 

[Jeffers]

Awesome news!

 

[Embers]

Good player, yes

Decent bloke, no, look at the way he carried on after they lost vs Barca, it was like a watching a little baby cry over spilt milk, very immature and tasteless way to respond after the match considering there first goal came from a free kick given to a blatant dive.

 

[DB10]

Good to see you overlooked the way he campaigns against racism, runs programs for disadvantaged black Parisian kids in Paris, being a dedicated family man, a loyal club servant, and as a source of inspiration for many people, and make a judgement on him as a person based off of one interview following a heartbreaking loss in a Champions League final.

Really good work.

 

[Darealrath]

As fantastic as it is a relief.

 

[trent]

Awesome!!! Loyalty at its finest and a fine player!

 

[Arsene Wenger]

Good to see you overlooked the way he campaigns against racism, runs programs for disadvantaged black Parisian kids in Paris, being a dedicated family man, a loyal club servant, and as a source of inspiration for many people, and make a judgement on him as a person based off of one interview following a heartbreaking loss in a Champions League final.

Really good work.

I wwas going to say something along similar lines. His good work far outweighs his bad.. Embers you peanut - The guy just lost a UCL final hes bound to be a wee bit emotional ....

 

[RoosterLad]

How many goals will Henry miss in next years Final?

 

[iDon]

How many goals will Henry miss in next years Final?

Poor form

Great loyalty shown by him, its great to be able to watch him in the best soccer league in Europe.

-Mav

 

[CR7]

It's the Sun. Do you believe anything written in that?

 

[belfast_bomber]

It's the Sun. Do you believe anything written in that?

I don't even believe the **** in it are real, let alone the "news" stories

 

[footylover18]

I hate Arsenal but I must admit im pleased that henry is staying. Great loyalty shown by the man. Would be a big loss to the EPL if he did leave.

 

[Darealrath]

Anyone see Sepp Blatter on BBC pretty much agreeing with, and excusing, Henry's comments post match ?

 

[belfast_bomber]

when you're looking to sepp blatter to justify your arguments, you really are in the ninth circle of hell

 

[Darealrath]

when you're looking to sepp blatter to justify your arguments, you really are in the ninth circle of hell

I wasn't looking for it to justify anything, i just thought it was funny, and was wondering what Jimmy Hird would think.

 

[DB10]

http://www.arsenal.com/article.asp?...r+new+deal+after+committing+future+to+Arsenal

 

[jod23]

Yep I always thought he would stay. Im glad he stayed because Ill get to see him play more at Arsenal than I would at Barca as he is fantastic to watch but then again... he makes Arsenal a very strong side. And with him staying, that's just another team in our way for next season.

Bring em on though, were ready.

 

[mcgarnacle]

thank god for that.

what we didn't need is for Barca to become even stonger than they are now.

 

[DB10]

Rijkaard fumes over Henry decision
20-05-2006 13:21
Thierry Henry's decision to stay at Arsenal has caused Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard to hit out at his club for not landing the player.

The Frenchman snubbed a switch to the La Liga champions after deciding to stay at Arsenal and sign a four-year-deal, much to the frustration of Rijkaard. The Dutch coach had pinpointed Henry as his number one summer target and his plans for next season have now been scuppered with sporting director Txiki Beguiristain bearing the brunt of the boss' anger.

"It's certain he (Henry) was interested in participating in this project and he told a lot of people that," said Rijkaard. "When something like this happens it is Txiki who must respond, I can only talk about people who are already in the dressing room. "After Txiki has spoken perhaps I will be able to add something more."


..................


Sounds like the warm glow of victory has quickly worn off.

SNUBBED!