Thierry Henry insists his record-breaking double strike that helped Arsenal to a 2-0 Champions League win at Sparta Prague has underlined his commitment to the Gunners.
But the France star, who beat Ian Wright’s all-time club scoring mark in Prague, again side-stepped questions over his long-term future, insisting he would only consider signing a new contract next summer, when just 12 months are left to run on his current deal.
”It’s really important to concentrate on this season and see what happens. I will discuss it at the end of the season,” he told the London Evening Standard.
Henry, out injured since 7 September with a groin injury, only learned on Saturday he was travelling with the squad to Tuesday night’s Champions League tie at Sparta Prague.
Manager Arsene Wenger had been planning to use his leading striker for at most 30 minutes as a substitute.
However, after coming on after just 15 minutes when Jose Antonio Reyes went off with a broken rib, he equalled Wright’s record haul of 185 goals within six minutes of his arrival and struck again with 17 minutes left.
”I have seen a lot of speculation but whenever I step on to the pitch, I give it all my heart and play 100%. You can never doubt my commitment on the pitch and hopefully people will respect that,” said Henry who has become a club legend since joining the Gunners in 1999.
Arsenal chairperson Peter Hill-Wood said last week the club were ready to make Henry the highest-paid player in their history. He is reported to be earning £75 000 a week on his current deal.
Spanish giants Barcelona are said to be interested in taking Henry to the Nou Camp, and could do so at a cut price if the striker does not agree a new contract.
Henry will be 29 next August, and Hill-Wood is determined not to let another key man leave the club, as former captain Patrick Vieira did during the summer.
”We have not talked about the offer yet, but it is fair to say he would become the highest paid player in Arsenal’s history – and deservedly so,” Hill-Wood said.
And Ian Wright said of Henry breaking his record: ”It couldn’t happen to a nicer fella. He is a footballing person. It is all about the football and the fans.
”It would be different if it was someone you didn’t like and he was a horrible person, giving it all the time, but he’s not like that. He deserves it, he is a fantastic player. He has won everything, apart from the Champions League, which I am praying he can do.
”It is no mean feat to come second to a player like that. It is not easy for me to say something like that, but when you are talking about someone like that coming along and beating you, it is an easier pill to swallow.” – AFP
