Why all the negativity? The timing of his exit was right for all parties. Thierry needed a new challenge and I feel Henry's best years at Arsenal were behind him. (I'll be honest, it's taken me a few days to come to that conclusion!!!)
Don't get me wrong - there's every chance that Henry will be outstanding at the Nou Camp. I just feel that he was going a little stale at Arsenal and would not have enjoyed adapting into a provider -in the manner Dennis Bergkamp did from about 2000 onwards.
The style of Arsenal's play -when they're at their best- requires one super-fit, lightning fast striker. I'm not sure if Thierry will be able to perform that role for a full season and I don't think that he would enjoy playing the role of a support act.
That's not a criticism of Thierry's personality - many of the greats of football have a desire to be the 'main man' in his team. That desire mixed with talent and intelligence is what makes them great. Bergkamp is the only player I can think of who successfully switched to a supporting role when he began to lose his edge.
At Barcelona, Eto'o will be able share the duties with Henry -so I don't think a season will take as much of a toll on Henry's body as it did in his final two seasons with Arsenal.
Whether that works from a team perspective for Barcelona -who also have to accommodate Ronaldinho and Messi... and Giuly- is anybody's guess. Anybody remember the Galacticos of Real Madrid?
So let's not taint the memory of having arguably greatest player of his time wear an Arsenal shirt for eight glorious years. I hope he does well at Barca. I also hope that the Catalonian club put on some great footballing entertainment with its glittering array of talent - as long as it's not at the expense of Arsenal.
Let's not forget however, that the future at Arsenal is very bright - and with two or three signings, the club will become a dominant force again. I certainly think the best is yet to come from Wenger's Arsenal:Mark III.
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