Home > Football > Thierry Henry is a real Arsenal knockout
by Tim Love on 04 January 2007
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Thierry Henry's return, is it as triumphant as Rocky Balboa's? I have just watched the new Rocky film (predictably awful but wonderful at the same time) and I saw a lot of similarities between the movie hero's triumphant return to the ring and Henry's return to action against Charlton. I'm sure I don't need to explain this at all, but I will anyway because I will be writing about two of my sporting idols. Similarity Number One: After Rocky had won the World Championship for the 33rd time, he was slightly disillusioned with the sport. He'd won it loads of time, defeated the Soviets on his own and avenged his mentor's death and there was nothing for him left to do. A couple of defeats left him at his wits end. Henry had carried Arsenal for much of last season (whilst it pains me to write that), and had played over 60 matches in 2006, including losses in the European Cup Final and the World Cup. Times were hard for Henry, too much was expected of him. Similarity Number Two: Rocky had his doubters during this low period, as did Henry when it was announced he would be out for a period of time. Mark Lawrenson said, with a great deal of wit, that Henry had 'Barcelona-itus' when he went through a slight purple patch and the papers were loving the so-called spat between him and Arsene Wenger. People started to doubt whether he would ever be the same again. Rocky was seen as too old, fat, and at a loss without his wife Adrian to make a comeback. Similarity Number Three: Both fighters performed magnificently and with a lot of heart on their returns. Rocky fought his way to an honourable loss against an opponent 30 years younger than him, and Henry ripped the p**s out of the Charlton defence and even let Robin Van Persie take a penalty (a much-publicised fact post-match). Conclusion: Henry and Rocky both look a lot like Sly Stallone.
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Comments (9)
by Emma on January 04, 2007
very insightful timothy, i enjoyed your quirky take on film mirroring football.
by Gooner on January 04, 2007
"even let Robin Van Persie take a penalty (a much-publicised fact post-match)" For your information Henry never takes a penalty if he's been brought down.
by Lewis Turek on January 04, 2007
Thought provoking and intelligent article. An unusual but accurate comparison between two sportsmen, both at the top of their game. There can be no doubting that Arsenal are a far more of a threat now they have Captain Fantastic back to full fitness. His performance vs Charlton was sublime, and the fact he lasted the full 90 mins on his forst game back, is tantamount to his commitment to the club.
by lc on January 04, 2007
Beating Charlton in a Home game doesn't make necessarily make Henry return a success by that performance. Henry has most of the time played well in Arsenal Home games; but he has been very desappointing in most of Arsenal away games, specialy big games against teams like Manu, Chelsea, Bolton last two seasons when Arsenal lost some of their best players, Viera, Kanu, Edu, ect. This is potentially one of reasons why Arsenal is no longueur Premiership winning team at the moment unless AW is revisited by wisdom in order to change his current policies.
by Tim on January 04, 2007
Henry did not play away at United or Chelsea in the past 2 seasons. The fact is he has come back from a bad injury and immediately shown his influence, something that some Arsenal fans seem to have forgotten with their constant moaning. And to Gooner- thank you for your intelligent message. If you followed the story, it was commented several times in the media and on television about Henry giving the penalty to Van Persie etc, regardless of whether or not he takes them when brought down.
by Sasha Baradaran on January 04, 2007
I agree. This was very interesting, and they both do look like Sly Stallone. Sasha Baradaran
by Mr D on January 04, 2007
I think this is a bit too much. Rocky was 60 and taking ont he woprld champs. Henry is playing Charlton, if anything Charlton should be rocky. But a fun read nonetheless! Good to see Henry back....
by Tim Love on January 04, 2007
After 2 comments about the validity of the article, I must stress that this is not meant to be the most serious read. I did think it would be quite obvious it was tongue in cheek...
by nassiwa brenda on March 26, 2008
it's really kawa
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