By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger has revealed how Thierry Henry told him he
wanted to leave Arsenal.
The record-breaking French forward left for Barcelona in the summer
after eight great years at the Club. It was a surprise at the time
but, as Wenger told Friday's France Football magazine, the
manager understood his reasons.
"Thierry had reached the age of 30 and he knew that we would
keep on playing with a young team," said the boss. "He
reached a stage, as a forward, where you do have not much time
left, which I understand completely."
"He told me: 'Coach, it is true we have a good team, a
young team which will certainly be very strong - but I cannot wait
anymore. Will the team be strong next season, in two years? I do
not know. But I need to take a decision today'.
"I told him: 'I completely understand your position
Thierry. I believe this team will be strong very soon, but I
understand that you ask yourself this question'. He then told
me: 'I want to leave the club' and that's why he left.
"To say that David [Dein]'s departure influenced his
decision is in some way true. [But] Thierry's injuries also
contributed. He looked at the situation and during certain games he
must have thought to himself, 'no, we will not win the
Premiership'.
"The strength of a team lies in the self-belief it has. Once
the team was not fighting for the title anymore, it started losing
it. I am talking about a player's self-belief here. Thierry may
not have felt this self-belief at certain times."
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