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Thierry Henry denies Spurs rumours
28 Jul 2009Arsenal's leading all-time goal-scorer Thierry Henry has insisted he could never encourage anyone to sign for Tottenham.
Recent reports have suggested the France striker, now at Barcelona, had talked up Spurs to former Gunners team-mate Patrick Vieira - a self-confessed target of White Hart Lane boss Harry Redknapp.
But Henry told The Sun: "I am Arsenal through and through. I'd never advise anyone to sign for Tottenham."
He added: "I can't have Arsenal fans thinking I am helping Tottenham in any way.
"The truth is I was talking to Spurs boss Harry Redknapp and he told me he was trying to sign Patrick from Inter Milan.
"I was very surprised because Patrick is like me. He loves Arsenal.
"I just said that Patrick would be a brilliant signing. But I also made it clear I would be shocked if it happened."
Henry admits Arsenal could face an uphill battle in the Barclays Premier League title race given their apparent lack of transfer funds and the sale of striker Emmanuel Adebayor to Manchester City for £25million.
However, he believes the success of a Barca side featuring a host of homegrown stars last season, when they won a domestic and European treble, shows that money need not count for everything at the highest level.
"It is more difficult to achieve success without money, but it's not impossible with the right attitude," he said.
"Just look at Barcelona. We won the treble this year and proved you can succeed by developing your own players and blending them with one or two expensive signings.
"Arsenal are trying to do the same thing and are very close to achieving their ambitions."
Reader views (9)
Not really - it's hysterical, Paxton.
You know how Americans are oft alleged to be completely without a sense of irony...?
- Stu, Beckton, 29/07/2009 14:39
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Henri spouts off about Viera being Arsenal through and through so what about Jennings and Sol Campbell who went the other way! Most players care about playing regulary and a decent purse - loyalty I'm afraid goes out of the window.
- Edwin Sheppard, Pinner, UK, 29/07/2009 13:47
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Stu from Beckton, notable that West Ham have nothing to comment about ........ as usual! Must be hard having to watch the big London clubs take all the press.
- Paxton, N17, 28/07/2009 21:59
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T man is clearly showing extreme loyalty to Arsenal by suggesting the 33 year old Vierra should join Tottenham. I seem to recall the old Arsenal warrior being ruined by Flamini & Fabregas whilst playing for Juventus in the Champions League 3 seasons ago! In any event Tottenham have signed Palacios who seems to have settled in well in the central midfield holding role.
- Rob Gooner, North London, 28/07/2009 16:20
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Arsenal has been?
How many trophies has he won since he left? How many have Arsenal?
Ladies and gentlemen, the defence rests.
- Joe, Romford, 28/07/2009 12:55
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Can't help but agree with him about never advising anyone to join the Big Club tm though.
- Stu, Beckton, 28/07/2009 10:38
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No Charl Bogyu, Viera will be joining Man City for the money £££££££ nothing more, nothing less............
- Fergie, Manchester, 28/07/2009 10:15
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"Arsenal through and through" - what a joker. This is the guy who after signing a new four year contract was then beating his chest proclaiming this is the only club for me. Strange then after year one of his new deal he decides to move to the team that alledgedly kicked him all over the park in CL final, also accusing them of bad sportsmanship blah, blah, blah. The man is a total hyprocrite.
- Mark, Essex, 28/07/2009 10:06
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Two old Arsenal has-beens. Does anyone really care what they think, say or do? Loyalty is a joke in the modern game - look at all the players joining Man City, even players leaving Champions League teams to triple their wages. If Vieira joins Spurs it will be because he wants regular football, nothing more, nothing less.
- Charles Zogbu, London, England, 28/07/2009 09:44
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