Whether it's a case of one man's 'excuses' being another man's 'reasons' or not, there's something rather sad about board members of the Bank of England club resorting to this type of sniping. Particularly in the case of Thierry Henry and his stunning contribution to the evolution of the club. And particularly given Peter Hill-Wood's involvement in 'the Kroenke affair' which led to David Dein's departure.

Whatever your own opinion about Henry's friendship with Dein and family, it cannot be denied that Dein's ousting from the club did not sit easily with the star striker. And any attempt by the board to abdicate from all responsibility in the matter reads not only as self-serving but is also unnecessarily disrespectful to Henry.

After a magnificent seven out of eight seasons as a player, Henry owed Arsenal nothing. His ability and proliferacy in front of goal were lauded across the globe during his career in north London.

'After a magnificent seven out of eight seasons as a player, Henry owed Arsenal nothing'


Has Hill-Wood already forgotten the anticipation of walking into Highbury to see one of the best players in the world, watched by the world, lining up in the historic red and white? His views of the whole affair seem to be tempered by the bitterness of his own misplaced sense of sour grapes at the player's departure.

Yes, Henry was relatively unknown before he joined the club.. So were Patrick Vieira, Emmanuel Petit, Nicolas Anelka, hell, even Wenger. Arsene who?

With the ball at his feet (or anywhere else for that matter), Henry was jaw-droppingly brilliant. And for the years of his service Arsenal were truly blessed. This is something that people like Hill-Wood should remember. Arsenal, of all clubs, should endeavour to see that that Henry, of all players, is afforded a legacy that acknowledges and honours what he did on the field instead of slinging mud by splitting hairs about why he moved on.

The news of his departure came as no surprise to most genuine Arsenal fans, who as opposed to being hit by a bolt out of the blue, would at least privately concede that the move came a year too late. And the chances are that had Arsenal won the Champions League last year it's likely Henry would not have stayed on. He would, justifiably I would suggest, have felt his work at the club was done and that no one could begrudge him for moving to pastures new. And all the sweeter for everybody if those pastures new happen to be the home of the team you've just beaten in Paris.

What happened instead was that Arsenal lost to Barcelona, got caught up in a maelstrom of emotion in defeat and excitement over the new ground, Henry searched deep into his own soul and could not find it within himself to do anything other than hang around. And hang around he did. He spent most of last season hanging around, sometimes stepping onto the pitch in his overcoat to perform elaborate goal celebrations with Manu Adebayor. But there has never been a footballer yet, except the one in the old Scoop comic, who had a phoenix tattooed on his chest, who has ever been able to stop the march of time.

As last season was drawing to close (months after it had already ended for Arsenal, anyway) it was blatantly clear to anyone who had spent the winter and spring months pulling their hair out,  that time had moved on for both Henry and Arsenal. Wenger was blooding a new generation of players, the progress of which the presence of Henry sometimes inadvertently arrested.

Arsenal's style of play was changing, too, albiet becoming even more infuriatingly over-elaborate. And Henry was about to hit the big three-zero. Other writers have argued that physically his powers were ever so impercepibly beginning to wane. He'd just endured his first flirtation with longish-term injury. He was tired, too. Wenger had subjected 'the one player who Arsenal couldn't be without' to an enforced rest. He even stuck him on the bench for the Carling Cup Final.

It seems to me these two canny proud and private men had arrived at a crossroads with each other. The game was up.The inescapable fact was that it was time for Thierry Henry, talismanic Arsenal captain (although better talisman than captain) to ply his trade elsewhere. Time to go, for football reasons. All that remained was that the move would be conducted as Vieira's had been. With calmness and with mutual respect. The Arsenal way. The Wenger way. Notwithstanding reports in the Spanish papers that the negotiations broke down 15 times before the deal was thrashed out.

Henry is gone, let's not begrudge him his seasons in the sun. We may not see his like again. But Wenger is building something extraordinary at Arsenal Football Club and, while there is no news to the contrary, let's assume he'll be around to see his new crop blossom. Wenger 'knows when to hold them' and he 'knows when to fold them.' He also knows when you've got nothing to say - say nothing..

Hill-Wood should take a leaf out of his book.