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Thierry Henry shows true colours as Arsenal legend makes allegiances clear with Barcelona claim

Thierry Henry revealed where his loyalty lies following Arsenal's 3-0 win over AS Monaco. The 47-year-old was on punditry duties for CBS Sports when Mikel Arteta's team stormed past the French outfit in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Bukayo Saka fired the Gunners ahead in the first half, before then doubling the lead with less than a quarter-of-an-hour or so on the clock. Then, in the final minutes at the Emirates Stadium, Kai Havertz put the final nail in the coffin to wrap up three points.

Henry heaped tremendous praise on Saka for his recent displays, declaring the England star as his 'favourite player'. Speaking to the BBC, the Arsenal legend said: "He's my favourite player. He's been there for so long and he's so nice. I never thought he would reach the levels we are seeing.

"He's a starter for Arsenal, he's a starter for England. I remember when he started he was playing wing-back and the evolution of his game is outstanding because he used to be so lively, to now scoring goals and assists."

Coincidentally, Barcelona and Juventus were also in action on Wednesday evening, locking horns with Borussia Dortmund and out-of-form Man City respectively. With all four of Henry's former European teams playing in the Champions League that night, the Frenchman was quizzed on where his loyalty lies.

Speaking on CBS Sports, he said: "I have mad respect for AS Monaco and that's always going to be the case, but Arsenal is where my heart is and that will never change."

Henry was then asked by Clint Dempsey to name his second and third favourite club. Without hesitation, the 47-year-old replied: "Number two, Arsenal. Number 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."

Arsenal have two more games to play in the Champions League's revamped 'league' phase before the knockout stages commence. The Gunners must locked horns with Dinamo Zagreb - at the Emirates Stadium on January 22 - before then facing La Liga outfit Girona at Estadi Montilivi on January 29.

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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023

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