Henry agrees to stay

ByEurosport

Published 19/05/2006 at 14:07 GMT

Arsenal's Thierry Henry agreed a new deal on Friday stating that: "My heart told me to stay." The 28-year-old striker has been linked with a move to newly crowned European Champions Barcelona but instead decided to see in a new era with the Gunners at the

At a news conference on Friday, the French international announced that: "At one point the thought (of leaving) crossed my mind. My heart told me to stay."

Speculation has mounted throughout the last season as the Henry's future after the elite marksman refused to commit his future to the London club until after the champions League Final.

"The club, the fans - I couldn't let them down. The love that the fans showed me was more than amazing," he said.

Premier League

'They can win it' – McCoist believes Arsenal 'here to stay' in title race

Yesterday at 07:01

FOOTBALL 2005-2006 Premiership Arsenal-Aston Villa Thierry Henry

Image credit: EFE

Henry joined the Gunners from Italian giants Juventus in 1999 after a torrid time in Serie A and last year notched his 200th goal for Arsenal, becoming their all-time leading scorer.

The Frenchman propelled Arsenal into fourth place in the Premiership this season, bagging 27 goals in the process after a slow start hampered their progress in the aftermath of Patrick Vieira's summer move to Juventus.

Henry was named English Football Writers' player of the year last month, the third time he has won the award. His wife is English and Henry said: "I prefer London."

The manner of his team's heroic 2-1 defeat to Barcelona in Paris on Wednesday helped make up his mind after Arsene Wenger's young team was forced to play much of the game as a result of Jen Lehmann's 18th minute sending off.

FOOTBALL 2005-2006 UEFA Champions League Barcelona-Arsenal Lehmann Henry

Image credit: dpa

"I wanted to get into the Champions League final. Once that was done I was pretty quick to make up my mind," he said.

"My team showed me I didn't have to leave. They showed me they had heart," he told The Sun newspaper earlier.

"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.

PERFECT

With Henry now commiting his future to the club, Wenger will now be able to look forward to next season with a measure of optimism, knowing that surely their league form can only get better and that another tilt at the Champions League is beckoning.

He also fully aware of the qualities that Henry brings to his yound and largely inexperienced side.

FOOTBALL 2005-2006 Premiership Arsenal Henry

Image credit: Reuters

"I cannot think of a single player in the Premiership who is more exhilarating, dynamic and exciting to watch than him," Wenger said last week.

"He is a wonderful athlete who not only decides crucial games with outstanding individual skill, he is also paramount to team play ... at times, I believe he is close to being the perfect footballer."

Arsenal have won two league titles and three FA Cups with Henry.

Transfers

Arsenal and City to battle over £100m Guimaraes - Paper Round

Yesterday at 07:51

Premier League

‘A joy to watch’ - Arteta says 'outstanding' Arsenal 'so excited' to compete for title

Yesterday at 22:10

Premier League

'Men against boys' - Chelsea got ‘absolutely destroyed’ by Arsenal, says Ferdinand

Yesterday at 00:00