Thierry Henry and his crowd-pleasing game was a great spectacle in London. Aside from losing his only Champions League final with the club, Henry has truly delivered everything that his initial signing had promised to the team and its fans.

Arsenal’s Henry era has to be remembered as a full-blown success. He clearly was the face of a successful franchise, and together they experienced the joys of winning. Therefore it is a sad moment to see this Frenchman go.

Yet it was inevitable. Arsenal clearly are building for the future with some very talented young players. Henry, at the same time. has been in such a success-driven environment in London that for him to stay during such a transitional period would have been foolish. It would have equally been foolish for the club to cater to Henry’s needs and buy experienced veterans with whom they might make a run for a title now. The Gunners have already invested this season into their young talents, and to back out now would have been illogical.

'Luckily the rumors were shot down pretty fast, and it became clear that Henry would not only switch teams, but he would switch leagues as well'

Throughout the past few months we have seen and heard all those rumors going around about where Henry would end up. I was shocked to hear the speculations about him joining another side in the Premiership. First of all because none of the other top clubs seem like nice fits for the striker’s talents. Second, it just would have been such a slap in the face to all of those fans he has won throughout his stay at Arsenal. Luckily the rumors were shot down pretty fast, and it became clear that Henry would not only switch teams, but he would switch leagues as well.

Thierry must have contacted ex-teammate and friend David Trezeguet about life in Serie A, even when we were hearing about the negotiations with Barcelona. Whilst I do believe Thierry has the necessary talent and skill to thrive  anywhere, his style of play would have been a bad fit with Italian football.

Thus we arrive at his new home. Barcelona. I have to admit, I see this as being the best place for Henry. The team’s style of play fits Thierry’s best qualities, they have plenty of players capable of setting up scoring chances for their new striker, and also they boast other strikers who are able to read Henry’s formidable through passes towards goal. Barcelona are always in win-now mode, and they have the type of atmosphere that will make blending in much easier.