It’s safe to say Thierry Henry’s legacy as a member of Arsenal will not be forgotten, but Friday afternoon outside Emirates Stadium it was immortalized forever.
Henry’s former club honored the legendary Gunner in the form of a bronze statue as part of Arsenal’s 125th anniversary celebrations.
It was an emotional tribute for Henry, who at times was forced to pause during his podium speech in an effort to regain his composure.
Photo Courtesy of Arsenal Football Club
“I never thought in my wildest dreams that I would have a statue like this in front of the stadium of the team I love and support,” he told The Daily Mail. “The way the statue is gives the perfect example of the love I have for the club - me kneeling facing the Emirates Stadium and Highbury behind is amazing.”
Henry remains Arsenal’s all-time leading goal scorer with 226 tallies over 369 appearances. During his time spent in North London, Henry helped lead the club to two Premier League titles and two FA Cups. Suffice it to say, Henry's former boss had nothing but complimentary things to say about him.
“Thierry deserves the honor he gets today, and I am very proud to witness it,” Arsenal head coach Arsene Wenger said of his former player.
“His sensational career was down simply to Thierry's class. He is a player who had everything you dream of as a manager - physical potential, a technical level, super intelligence and what people also forget for many top level athletes, is he was dedicated to his job, with a very serious life.”
