Henry would have “preferred to stay”
Bacary Sagna has suggested Thierry Henry would have preferred to stay with Arsenal rather than return to New York Red Bulls.
Henry came on as a second-half substitute as his second spell back in north London ended on a sour note on Wednesday when the Gunners were demolished 4-0, in a result which went against soccer betting tips, by Serie A leaders AC Milan in the Champions League round of 16.
The former France international will now make his way back across the Atlantic to rejoin the MLS franchise, although countryman Sagna feels it is probably against his wishes.
“He would like to stay, but he wants to be loyal to New York,” the full-back told L’Equipe.
The news follows confirmation from Emirates boss Arsene Wenger last Friday that the club’s all-time leading goal-scorer would end his return spell back in the English capital on February 16.
The Red Bulls were expected to return from their Mexican pre-season trip the same day before departing to Phoenix on February 20.
Sagna’s sentiments were shared by club captain Robin van Persie, who said Henry had told him he had felt less pressure back with the Gunners.
“During his whole career he has had to be focused, score, and repeat it over and over again, without having time to stop and enjoy the moment, because he worked like a machine,” he said.
“But he told me, for the very first time, he really had fun.”
Henry, now 34, revealed he had not ruled out the possibility of a third return to Arsenal in the future; something that could change how Arsenal fans would bet on soccer games.
“You never know how things would end,” he said.
“It is certainly the end. But who knows? Perhaps it can be different.”
New York Red Bulls open their MLS regular season campaign away to Dallas on March 11.
February 16, 2012
Tags: henry Posted in: Premier League
Leave a Reply