Thierry Henry was essentially given a free pass by Arsenal fans to join Barcelona in the summer of 2007 after reaching legendary status at the club. While Gunners fans were frustrated and disappointed, there was a general understanding that he deserved to make the move and become a UEFA Champions League winner.
The iconic Frenchman went on to become a European champion with the Catalans two years later. As historic as an achievement that was, his time in North London is what football fans cherish most from his time in the sport.
Who's to say Henry wouldn't have won the Champions League had he stayed put and helped Arsene Wenger drive the club into a new era with their move from Highbury to the Emirates. The financial limitations made Wenger's job difficult, and he'd already proven his worth through his Invincibles accomplishment in 2004.
Henry starred alongside club legends who receive adoration from supporters when they return to the club. But he feels one 'Invincible' doesn't get his flowers or the respect, not just from Arsenal fans, but England as a whole.
Henry on "Outstanding" Ex-England Hero
"He started everything"
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Wenger once named Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams the three best players he coached during his time in charge of Arsenal. They were vital for the Frenchman as he implemented a brand of football that took the Premier League to new heights in the nineties.
The Gunners' recent history of watching young prospects develop into world-class stars and bid farewell and major trophies elsewhere has been an annoying recurring theme. Robin van Persie, Samir Nasri, Cesc Fabregas and Henry himself are among those who sought new challenges for various reasons.
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Henry knew all about the disdain that can come with making such a decision, having watched his former teammate Ashley Cole go through the ordeal in the summer of 2006. The English left-back opted to join London rivals Chelsea despite being a member of an Invincibles title-winning side two seasons before.
Cole became public enemy number one at Arsenal after swapping red and white for blue in the English capital. Fans nicknamed him "Cashley", alluding to his decision to turn down the club's £55,000-per-week contract offer and accept a £90,000-per-week proposal from Stamford Bridge.
Henry got into why he thinks Cole remains an "Arsenal man" further on in his appearance on the latest episode of Sky Sports' Stick to Football. But he started his defence of his former teammate by pointing out his contributions to football:
"I don't understand why in this country, he doesn't get his respect. Ashley Cole was outstanding."
He added:
"First and foremost, Ashley went to Crystal Palace on loan, and he saved them from relegation, playing as a winger. When you have a left-back that can dribble past their winger, he was the one who created space for the rest of the team."
Cole joined Crystal Palace on loan in February 2000 and took the left-wing spot in Steve Coppell's struggling side. At 19, he was regularly used by the Eagles as the club entered administration, and he quickly caught the eye with his pace, netting in a 2-1 win over Blackburn Rovers.
Once the former 107-cap England international returned to Arsenal, he developed into an all-rounded left-back who bombed down the channel to support his accommodating winger. Henry built a strong understanding with Cole and Robert Pires during their time at Highbury, and he suggested the Englishman often got the ball rolling in transition:
'He opened everything. I would be dumb not to find a situation where I would be alone because the midfielder had to shuffle across, Robert [Pires] was moving, I am going in behind. He started everything."
He added:
"Ashley Cole for me, there is a battle for him not to be the best left back I have ever seen. Going forward, defending, the desire, what he won, and where he won it."
Ashley Cole's Career
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Cole won five major trophies with Arsenal and became highly-regarded outside of England, not least by Cristiano Ronaldo, who called him his toughest opponent. But when speaking of English icons of the game, there perhaps hasn't been enough hype for the Gunners' former academy graduate.
Henry: Cole Remains An "Arsenal Man"
He delved into a bitter separation
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Cole has admitted that he finds it "hard" that there is still an "ill feeling" from Arsenal fans towards him following his controversial move to Chelsea. He joined the Blues in a £5m deal in August 2006, with William Gallas heading in the opposite direction.
Henry was a captain and a leader in the Gunners' dressing room when Cole's transfer saga took hold. He recalled the events that occurred:
"Ashley Cole is an Arsenal man, I don’t care what people say, Ashley Cole is Arsenal. At the time he did not want to say what happened, but Mr [David] Dein has since apologised. They shook hands on something and then they came back with something else. I understood Ashley, but why don’t people (give) the respect for what he has done."
Cole explained in his appropriately titled 'My Defence' autobiography that he was so shocked by then-club director David Dein's £55,000 contract offer that he nearly crashed his car. He was "trembling with anger" because he felt so disrespected.
Henry was eager for Cole to stay when speaking ahead of the transfer window because he was "one of the best left-backs in the world". He explained that a move to Chelsea would make it "look like we are trying to catch a team at the same time as giving them one of our best assets."
Cole enjoyed many memorable moments during his career, including winning the Champions League with the Blues in 2012 and claiming the Premier League title unbeaten in 2004. But he insisted that he'd already "lived the dream" after making his Highbury debut as a teenager.
All statistics courtesy ofTransfermarkt- correct as of 28.05.2025
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