Bye Arsenal, hello Barcelona

Thierry Henry confirmed on Saturday he is leaving Arsenal to join Barcelona. "I still must pass a medical on Monday but yes, I have chosen Barcelona," the France striker told French sports daily L'Equipe on Saturday. "I will sign there for the next four seasons."

The 29-year-old, who also spoke to British newspaper The Sun , will sign a four-year contract with Barca for an estimated transfer fee of $32 million (Rs 131 crores), sources closes to the Primera Liga said on Friday.

"Nothing has been signed yet but both sides reached an agreement on Friday," Henry told L'Equipe . "I have chosen Barcelona for the football they play, for their history and their stadium. I am sad to leave Arsenal. I would have stayed there for life. I didn't want things to happen that way but I'm also ready for a new challenge."

Henry said the fact that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, his mentor, would not extend his contract with the London club, running until 2008, had influenced his decision. "The fact that Arsene Wenger has decided not to extend his contract was another very important factor," he said.

Henry pointed to his age, the Wenger factor and the departure of director David Dein in April as his reasons in an open letter to readers of The Sun. "It's now or never for me — sadly it has to be now," Henry was quoted as saying.

Arsene Wenger has said that at this moment he will not commit to the club past the expiration of his current deal, which finishes at the end of this coming season. "I respect his decision and honesty but I will be 31 at the end of next season and I cannot take the chance to be there without Arsene Wenger and David Dein. Dein is no longer there, and there is no denying the fact this has destabilised the team and the manager," said Henry.

The prolific forward has been sidelined by a groin injury but said he would soon be back in action. "I will be back in training in 15 days," he told. "Barcelona resume around July 20. That leaves me with three weeks to prepare myself well."

Wenger's future in the balance

London: Thierry Henry has delivered a devastating double blow to Arsenal by choosing to join Barcelona and indicating that manager Arsene Wenger could also follow him out of the club next year.

Henry made it clear his exit was only the latest repercussion of a boardroom row which led to the departure of director David Dein in April.

More than just a skilled operator in the football business, Dein was close to the players and to Wenger, with whom he had transformed the club since the Frenchman arrived in 1996. The prospect of losing Wenger is one to chill Arsenal fans to the bone.

Source:The Times Of India
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