LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: Thierry Henry of Arsenal celebrates scoring during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Leeds United at the Emirates Stadium on January 9, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Thierry Henry knows his favourite club
Thierry Henry has confirmed to any doubters that he's still Arsenal through and through.
Henry, 47, spent eight years with the north London club, scoring a magnificent 174 goals in just 254 appearances. The Frenchman helped Arsene Wenger's famous side win two Premier League titles, two FA Cups and reach the 2005 Champions League final.
But Henry left the Emirates to join Barcelona in 2007, finally getting his hands on Europe's top prize under Pep Guardiola a couple of years later. Even though the former striker achieved his dream with Barca, it's at Arsenal where his heart lies - even more so than Monaco, whose academy he emerged from and he later managed.
Arsenal coincidentally faced Monaco on Wednesday while Barcelona were in action away to Borussia Dortmund. Henry was on punditry duty for CBS Sports and declared: "I have mad respect for Monaco and that's always gonna be the case, but Arsenal is where my heart is and that will never change."
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The 47-year-old was then asked by former Premier League star Clint Dempsey to name his second and third favourite club. Henry replied: "Number two, Arsenal. Three, Arsenal. Anyone that gave me a chance to express and have the opportunity to be on the field, that's my team in that country. In Spain, Barcelona. Monaco will always be my team in France. But Arsenal is Arsenal."
Fortunately for Henry, then, Arsenal got the better of Monaco with a thumping 3-0 win on home soil. Bukayo Saka's brace and a late clincher from Kai Havertz sent the Gunners third in the Champions League table and on course for automatic qualification to the knockout phase.
Meanwhile, Barcelona beat Dortmund 3-2 in dramatic fashion. Hansi Flick's side were pegged back twice by the hosts before substitute Ferran Torres scored his second goal of the night in the 85th minute, ensuring that Barca remain second in the table behind leaders Liverpool.
Is Thierry Henry Arsenal's greatest ever player? Give us your pick in the comments section.
There are two more matches until the first phase of the new, expanded format of the Champions League comes to an end. Arsenal will host Croatian giants Dinamo Zagreb in January before visiting Girona. After making it back-to-back wins in Europe, boss Mikel Arteta told TNT Sports: "[We are] very happy. Obviously scoring the three goals, keeping a clean sheet and winning the game.
"We started the game very well, in the first half we should have put the game to bed but we didn't. In the Champions League you will have difficult moments and we suffered but then with the second goal the game was in control."
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