Wenger: Henry will emerge as greatest

14 April 2012

Arsene Wenger believes that Thierry Henry will emerge as the most gifted player of his era when he eventually wins the prized accolade of FIFA World Player of the Year.

As his manager at Arsenal, Wenger conceded that he could be accused of bias where any assessment of Henry's qualities is concerned. But he argued with conviction on behalf of the striker who earlier this week was frustrated yet again when he finished runner- up, this time to Barcelona's Brazilian star Ronaldinho.

"If he wins next year, it will mean he is the player of his generation because he is there every year," said Wenger.

"I think he should have won this year. But the day he wins it will mean what he has done this season and the season before has been fantastic. It shows how consistent he has been.

"The only common denominator we can find when discussing players is that a big player is a guy who makes his team win. The history of England starts with Bobby Moore and Bobby Charlton, that of France with [Michel] Platini, that of Brazil with Pele.

"Thierry was in a team that won and was remarkably consistent for 49 games and you cannot say that for many."

Wenger also feels that Henry suffered because of the lack of success enjoyed by the France team at the last two major tournaments - the World Cup in the Far East two years ago and the European Championships in Portugal during the summer.

"Nobody would argue with Thierry's performance with his club. But I feel he plays in the nonperforming period of the French national team."

Wenger claimed that with the size of his current squad he has no need to make any forays into the transfer market next month.

If Brazilian midfielder Edu leaves because he cannot agree a new contract with Arsenal - "at the moment he will not sign and the situation is in his hands," said Wenger - he may be tempted to reinforce his squad but he is not planning any moves "unless something exceptional comes up, like Jose Reyes last January".

Reyes was made available by Seville during the window last winter and Arsenal will pay a total of £16 million for the striker over five years. Wenger said: "But we were not desperate for a new player, we were top of the league.

He added: "I am not a great fan of the system because clubs who are in a difficult situation can rush in to buy and you overpay. The seller waits for you in the last two or three days that the window is open and an inflated market is created."

Arsenal enter a crucial period of their league programme with four matches in nine days against Fulham, Newcastle, Charlton and Manchester City.

But with Fredrik Ljungberg and Jermaine Pennant available, and Gilberto Silva due to return next month along with the continued emergence of Mathieu Flamini and Francesc Fabregas, Wenger feels he has the players to handle the demands.

"I see this as a positive period to come back and to be consistent," he said. "We go into the period with great belief. The team is focused more than ever."

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