Henry right to shun Spain

Henry's reputation is not just based on his lightning pace, sublime skills and goal-scoring exploits. He is also held up as an example of a true sporting gentleman in an era where the ethos has moved to a mentality of 'win at all costs'.

The flying Frenchman has a justified reputation in the English Premiership for being one of the few players left who is unwilling to take a dive at the slightest puff of wind, a point he alluded to after Arsenal's 2-1 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in the Champions League final on Wednesday.

Still fuming from the lack of protection afforded him by referee Terje Hague after feeling the brunt of a number of robust challenges from Barca stoppers Carles Puyol and Rafael Marquez, Henry ranted: "Maybe next time I'll learn to dive like a woman."

With the same Catalan club previously favourites to woo the 28-year-old away from Arsenal, this comment seemed a firm indicator that Henry was perhaps not willing to adjust to life in La Liga.

While the Spanish top division can boast some of the greatest players on the planet, the quality of play can be hamstrung by a sometimes diabolical standard of refereeing that sees teams and individuals who should know better take advantage of the situation.

Matches can descend into an orgy of simulation at the drop of a hat, ugly affairs that do little to stimulate the audience, and inflamed rather than calmed by prima donna referees brandishing more cards than your average poker shark.

If the French international had agreed on a move to Spain, it is hard to believe that he would not have been pulled into this culture, and his stock would have fallen.

You also have to take into account his status at Arsenal, and indeed the perception of the man around England.

Since his 1999 move from Juventus, where his career as a promising winger had stalled, Arsene Wenger has transformed Henry into a forward, and in the process created one of the most potent marksmen ever to grace the game.

A prolific record of 214 goals in 341 games for the Gunners, with 35 of them coming in 70 Champions League games, have endeared him to the Highbury crowd like none other.

As Wenger said earlier this week: "The statistics are exceptional. It will take people ten years to realise the full scale of what he has achieved."

Henry is held in special esteem at many Premiership grounds, even receiving standing ovations at Sunderland and Manchester City and from the Wigan travelling support after the final game at Highbury before Arsenal's move to the new 60,000 seater Emirates Stadium in Ashburton Grove.

The chance to lead Wenger's latest golden generation of Arsenal players into a new era is an opportunity not to be missed. In the eyes of Gunners fans, the forward who bagged a stunning 27 Premiership goals in the last season can do no wrong.

In Catalonia, Henry would have to compete with the celebrity of the likes of Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o, Lionel Messi and Puyol, already heroes to the Catalan nation, is there really room for one more?

If Thierry Henry wants to be remembered as the messiah of a club, then Arsenal is his Jerusalem.