Thierry Henry with Arsenal Women Renee Slegers and Leah Williamson
Image credit: Getty Images
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry made aspecial appearance at the Emirates Stadium on Friday, August 29, to watch Arsenal Women train as they prepare for their Barclays Women’s Super League (WSL) opener against London City Lionesses this weekend.
The Gunners’ all-time leading men’s goalscorer brought an extra spark to the training session, taking time to connect with head coach Renee Slegers, club captain Leah Williamson, and fellow Arsenal icon Kelly Smith.
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A long-time advocate for the growth of women’s football, the 48-year-old spent the afternoon engaging with players and staff, sharing insights from his storied career. Henry, who won two Premier League titles and played a starring role in Arsenal’s “Invincibles” 2003/04 season, was seen in animated discussions with Slegers, whose side is looking to build on their UEFA Women’s Champions League triumph in 2025.
Can you imagine this link-up? 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/TUm9iUeTR5
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) August 29, 2025
The visit highlighted Arsenal’s commitment to fostering closer ties between the men’s and women’s teams, with Henry’s presence serving as a significant morale boost ahead of the new campaign.
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Henry also reconnected with Kelly Smith, Arsenal Women’s all-time leading goalscorer and a trailblazer in English women’s football. The pair, who share deep roots in the club’s history, reminisced about their time at Arsenal while discussing the ambitions of the current squad.
Under Slegers’ guidance, Arsenal Women have been fine-tuning their preparations for the September 6 opener at Emirates Stadium. The squad, buoyed by their Champions League success and standout performances from stars such as Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, and Chloe Kelly at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, is eager to begin the campaign with a statement performance.
Henry watched closely as the players ran through high-intensity drills and tactical exercises, offering encouragement and advice as the Gunners sharpened their focus for what promises to be a demanding season.
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