Thierry Henry’s Dream Arsenal Strike Partnership: The Teammate He Always Wanted
Thierry Henry, a name synonymous with Arsenal and Premier League greatness, enjoyed a career playing alongside footballing royalty. From Zinedine Zidane to Lionel Messi, his teammates were a who’s who of world-class talent. However, even with such legendary colleagues, there’s one player Henry deeply wishes he had partnered with at club level: former Arsenal striker, Nicolas Anelka.
Throughout his illustrious career, Henry shared dressing rooms with exceptional players. Early in his career at Juventus, he was surrounded by future legends like Zinedine Zidane, the tenacious Edgar Davids, prolific goal-scorer Filippo Inzaghi, and the experienced Didier Deschamps. These were just a few of the stars he played alongside in Italy, foreshadowing the caliber of teammates he would have throughout his journey.
The summer of 1999 marked a pivotal moment as Henry joined Arsenal. At Highbury, he became an icon, winning two coveted Premier League titles and three FA Cups. His Arsenal success was built alongside an incredible core of players including Patrick Vieira, the artistry of Dennis Bergkamp, and the pace of Marc Overmars. Later in his career at Barcelona, Henry added even more stellar names to his list of teammates, playing with Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, and Andres Iniesta – arguably the greatest midfield trio of all time.
Despite this incredible list of colleagues, it’s another Arsenal forward who occupies a special place in Henry’s mind. He openly admits his regret at never having the chance to play alongside Nicolas Anelka for Arsenal. The timing was just off; Henry arrived at Arsenal in the summer of 1999, precisely when Anelka departed for Real Madrid.
Nicolas Anelka: An Arsenal Star Who Left Too Soon? Thierry Henry Reflects
Nicolas Anelka’s Arsenal story, though relatively short, was impactful. Signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 1997 for a mere £500,000, he quickly established himself at Highbury. His performances for Arsenal not only caught the eye domestically but also earned him international recognition with the French national team.
Henry and Anelka did play together 28 times for France. However, the Arsenal legend still feels a pang of what-could-have-been regarding a club partnership. Anelka, who later played for other Premier League giants like Manchester City and Chelsea, left a lasting impression on English football.
Speaking to SPORTbible as part of the ‘No Lay’s, No Game’ campaign, Henry expressed his admiration for Anelka: “I did play with him at the national team, but I wish I played with him at club level – Nicolas Anelka,” he stated. “People forget how good he was in terms of everything. I know the way he left Arsenal… maybe that’s what people kept in their head, ‘Oh he’s moody.’ Who cares? Talent is talent.”
Henry’s praise for Anelka goes beyond just talent. He recognizes the striker’s early dominance in the Premier League. “We all know that he terrorised teams when he first arrived in England,” Henry told Sky Sports in 2018. “He, for me – people do not mention him as they should mention him. He was one of the best strikers we have ever seen in this league.”
Henry further highlighted Anelka’s achievements and impact:
- Premier League Winner: Anelka won the league title with Arsenal at a young age and later with Chelsea, proving his consistent quality.
- Early Arsenal Success: He played a pivotal role in Arsenal’s squad during a challenging era of the Premier League.
- Underrated Legacy: Henry feels Anelka’s contributions are often overlooked when discussing the best Premier League strikers.
Martin Keown, another former Arsenal teammate of both Henry and Anelka, echoes Henry’s sentiments. Keown emphasized Anelka’s exceptional ability, placing him alongside Arsenal’s all-time greats. “I trained with all these guys, Ian Wright, [Dennis] Bergkamp, Henry. Anelka sits up alongside those guys, he doesn’t get talked about enough. Let me tell you, he wasn’t in their shadow, he was a remarkable talent,” Keown told talkSPORT.
Keown also offered a perspective on Anelka’s perceived “moody” reputation, suggesting it was a misunderstanding of a young player adapting to a new country and language. “I just thought he was misunderstood… He was 17-years of age when he came to a foreign country,” Keown explained, highlighting the challenges Anelka faced at such a young age.
Thierry Henry’s enduring wish to have played alongside Nicolas Anelka at club level speaks volumes about Anelka’s talent and the respect he commanded from his peers. It’s a fascinating “what if” scenario for Arsenal fans and a reminder of the remarkable quality Nicolas Anelka possessed.
What do you think? Would Thierry Henry and Nicolas Anelka have been the Premier League’s most lethal strike partnership? Share your opinions in the comments below!