When asked to name the most formidable opponent he had the opportunity to play alongside during his time in Spain, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry went out of his way to exclude several Barcelona legends as well as an Arsenal icon.
Henry is currently ranked eighth on the list of all-time goalscorers in the Premier League. He has scored 175 goals for the Gunners over the course of his 258 games with the club.
Between the years 1998 and 2004, he was instrumental in Arsenal’s success in the Premier League, helping them to win three titles. His goals per game ratio of 0.68 is the highest of any of the top 30 scorers.
During those years, the Arsenal team was known for their much more physical tactics than what we see from most teams in the modern game. Arsene Wenger was forced to defend his team’s ‘dirtiness’ on multiple occasions over the course of those years.
But the Gunners’ success was built on their rock-solid defence and central midfield, with talent on both wings and firepower in attack from players like Henry, Nicolas Anelka, and Dennis Bergkamp. These players were the foundation of the Gunners’ success.
Vieira was acquired by Wenger from AC Milan in 1996. He remained in north London for a period of nine years, during which time he engaged in a legendary rivalry with Roy Keane, the captain of Manchester United United, in the centre of midfield.
Over the course of his career with the Gunners, the Frenchman was shown 82 yellow cards, a total that is only surpassed by thirteen players in the history of the Premier League.
However, after moving to Barcelona, Henry discovered a player who had the potential to compete with Vieira in terms of the hardman stakes.
The honour was bestowed upon his fellow international teammate Lilian Thuram, who played for France and won 142 caps between the years 1994 and 2008.
During his domestic career, he played for Monaco, Parma, and Juventus. Henry eventually signed with Barcelona in 2007, and during his two-year stint at Camp Nou between 2006 and 2008, he briefly reunited with the Arsenal legend. Henry signed with Barcelona in 2007.
Henry specifically referred to Thuram as the most powerful hardman at Barcelona during a segment on Soccer AM that was about his teammates. He said, “That’s his game really.” Indeed, he is a defender in every sense of the word, and that is exactly what he does.
However, he also referred to Thuram as the “biggest moaner” in the Barca locker room, using the following explanation: “It’s good, it’s good for the spirit and everything, but he is the biggest moaner for sure.”
Carles Puyol, Rafael Marquez, and Yaya Toure were some of Henry’s other teammates at the time. Sylvinho, a former left back for Arsenal, was also a member of their group of teammates.
In 1999, Sylvinho made history by becoming the first Brazilian player to sign with Arsenal. He remained with the club for two seasons, during which he was honoured with a spot on the PFA Team of the Year. After moving on to Celta Vigo, Sylvinho left Arsenal.
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