Arsenal star striker Thierry Henry from France met with fans in
Beijing on Wednesday, during a promotional tour for a sporting
goods manufacturer.
Beijing-based Star Daily reports that, at a press
conference on Wednesday in Beijing, Henry talked about his career
and family life.
The 29-year-old Frenchman refused to discuss reports that he
would soon leave Arsenal for Barcelona. Earlier this month, Barca
president Joan Laporta said he was "finalizing the signing" of the
top class striker.
"Since I started playing football, there's been speculation
about me going to a lot of clubs so that will never stop," he said,
"But for now I'm an Arsenal player, so that's all I can tell
you."
Obviously he was frustrated by Arsenal's disappointing finish to
the Premiership season – the fourth behind Manchester United,
Chelsea and Liverpool.
"This year it was pretty difficult to see once again that we
finished so far away from the top teams," he said, "I'm getting
annoyed that we're finishing at the end of the top four now."
"Sometimes having a lot of youngsters in the squad - I'm not
trying to look for any excuses - you cannot have the same spirit,
the same results. Winning is a very difficult process. You just
don't arrive there."
Henry was rather passionate, however, when talking about being a
father. He said his daughter just celebrated her third birthday two
days ago.
He spends time with his little girl when he is not in training
or playing matches. He sings her lullabies, tells her stories "just
like an ordinary father."
As well as by hundreds of screaming fans, the striker was
welcomed by Chinese basketball star Yao Ming through a specially
prepared videotape, in which the NBA player wished him a good trip
in China and invited him to come again for the 2008 Olympics.
Henry indicated that he is indeed willing to come and watch the
big event, in spite of his tight schedule.
(CRIENGLISH.com June 1, 2007)
