Thierry Henry has told Emile Smith Rowe about the outcomes if he was to leave Arsenal, after talking about Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi joined the Parisian club in the summer transfer window after spending 17 years at Barcelona, but the Argentine has struggled to adapt in his first few months in Ligue 1.
Henry spoke about Messi’s departure to GQ, as he said: “When you leave a place that you’ve been at a young age for a very long time, that you never thought you were going to leave, it takes a lot out of you emotionally.
You need to realize and understand where you are, adapt to a new league and adapt to a new team and digest the move.” He added.
“Same with me when I left Arsenal to go to Barcelona, it took me a minute to get used to my surroundings. I never thought that I was going to leave Arsenal.”
Henry left the Gunners in the summer of 2007, after spending eight years at the club, where he won two Premier League titles, which included the famous invincible season during 2003/2004.
Emile Smith Rowe has also spent many years at the club, and is set for many more after recently signing a new contract.
After agreeing to a contract extension, he pledged his future to staying at Arsenal, as he said to the Evening Standard : “If Arsenal want me for the rest of my career, then I am going to stay here forever. It is always difficult [to stay at one club for your career], but for me personally, I’d love to be here forever.
For me, playing for Arsenal, growing up an Arsenal fan and my family around me, it was easy. Growing up in London, I didn’t want to move out of London. It was probably one of the easiest decisions I’ve made.”
Smith Rowe has been excellent for Arsenal this season, which also earned him his first ever international call-up, after contributing to seven Premier League goals so far in this campaign.
The Hale End star had also become the fourth Arsenal player under the age of 21 to score in three straight Premier League games, the previous three being Nicolas Anelka, Jose Antonio Reyes, and Cesc Fabregas.
However, he certainly should have taken note of Henry’s comments about Messi’s departure for Barcelona, as the trajectory of their careers could be similar, in terms of being a one-club player.
Despite Messi being the greatest player to have graced the game, he still struggled to adapt after leaving the club he loved.
With Henry also admitting the same struggle, after leaving the Gunners, it could be a valuable lesson provided for Smith Rowe.
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