Ian Wright reveals Henry’s biggest concern before joining Gunners
Arsenal legend Ian Wright has discussed Thierry Henry’s nerves about joining the Gunners back in 1999.
A 22-year-old Henry arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 1999, having scored just three goals in 19 appearances for Juventus the previous season. The Frenchman ended up becoming one of our all-time greats, and one of the best to ever grace the Premier League.
‘When he first came, he had already won the World Cup. Everyone was talking about this winger and Arsene Wenger described him as the football equivalent of Michael Jordan.‘He could do everything. He didn’t score for a few games but once he got his feet in the Premier League… ‘His physique, pace, skill. He got this hunger for goals, described Ian Wright, in a video for his Youtube channel.
‘I remember when Arsene Wenger said he was going to sign him for Arsenal, Henry said: “Yeah, but I don’t score goals, I won’t score enough goals for you”. And Arsene Wenger said: “Don’t worry, you’ll score goals.” I cannot believe that he didn’t think he would score goals. Once he got the bug, it was just so easy for him. I can’t find any faults with the way he played. ‘He was a team player, he scored all those goals and he’s still the record assist-maker.’
In his stay at the club on two occasions from 1999-2007 and 2012, Henry scored 175 goals in 258 Premier League games.