Henry all set for Barcelona

Thierry Henry has delivered a devastating double blow to Arsenal by choosing to join Barcelona and indicating that manager...

Thierry Henry has delivered a devastating double blow to Arsenal by choosing to join Barcelona and indicating that manager Arsene Wenger could also follow him out of the club next year.

In comments to newspapers yesterday, Henry made it clear his exit was only the latest repercussion of a boardroom row, which led to the departure of director David Dein in April.

Meanwhile, Arsenal announced today they had reached an agreement with Barcelona for Henry8217;s transfer.

Dein was linked with the growing shareholding of US tycoon Stan Kroenke and was subsequently frozen out by the rest of the board, who said they did not want a takeover. Dein was close to the players and to Wenger, with whom he had transformed the club since the French arrived in 1996.

Wenger has landed three league titles and four FA Cups with Arsenal and took them to the 2006 Champions League final. Asked about his future, Wenger would only commit to seeing out a contract that expires at the end of next season. Henry has now increased that uncertainty by saying the Dein affair 8220;has destabilised the team and the manager8221;.

Whoever is in charge, though, Arsenal could take years to recover from the setback of seeing their captain and record goalscorer leave for Barcelona.

Henry8217;s pace and finishing skills made him the Premier League8217;s top scorer four times and he rattled in a record 226 goals.

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The truth is that Arsenal8217;s success has been based around Henry8217;s talent for scoring and creating goals and there is unlikely to be a quick fix in the transfer market. Henry8217;s departure also marks the end of an era at Arsenal following the exits of compatriots Robert Pires, who joined Spanish club Villarreal last year, and former skipper Patrick Vieira, who moved to Juventus in 2005.

Wenger has been busy rebuilding that side. Now he must do so without Henry. Confirming the deal with Henry, Arsenal posted on their website : 8220;Arsenal Football Club can confirm that it has reached an agreement with Barcelona for the transfer of Thierry Henry. The deal is subject to a medical and the completion of formalities.8221;

Barcelona vice-president Ferran Soriano told radio Marca on Saturday: 8220;We8217;re optimistic we8217;ll conclude the negotiations Monday and we8217;ve told the player that too.8221;

The 29-year-old is expected to sign a four-year contract with the Catalan club for an estimated 24 million euros.

Thierry Henry

Born August 17, 1977 in Paris, France

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8226; Joins French first division club Monaco as a 13-year-old in 1991, making his debut at the beginning of the 1994/95 season, under then manager Arsene Wenger.

8226; Plays in six of France8217;s seven games in 1998 World Cup victory on home soil.

8226; Moves to Juventus in January 1999 where he starts 12 games before joining Arsenal eight months later for 10.5 million pounds.

8226; Helps Arsenal win league and FA Cup double in 2001-02; finishes season as the Premier League top scorer.

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8226; Wins second successive FA Cup in 2003 and is voted both Professional Footballers8217; Association PFA and Football Writers8217; Association player of the year.

8226; Helps Arsenal stay undefeated as they win Premier League in 2004.

8226; In October 2005 becomes top scorer in Arsenal8217;s history, netting twice in Champions League win over Sparta Prague to take tally to 186, one more than Ian Wright. Arsenal win FA Cup although injury keeps him out of final.