Wary Wenger downplays return of legend Henry
It is the football that's important, he says
London: As Chelsea and Manchester United could testify, the script that accompanies the homecoming of an authentic club hero can follow one of two very different paths.
While the return of David Beckham to Old Trafford simply underlined the passing of time and the astute judgment of Sir Alex Ferguson, the presence of Jose Mourinho at Stamford Bridge suggested that Chelsea remain trapped beneath the shadow of the "Special One". Thierry Henry is a figure of comparable importance in the history of Arsenal, yet anyone listening to Arsene Wenger's reaction to the Champions League draw would hardly have known it.
"Why does it matter?" said Wenger. "What matters is that people who turn up and pay £50 (Dh277) see a good football game. It's not a personal game — it's a team game. Personality is part of it but it's not the main thing of it. The main part is the quality of the match."
Contribution
Wenger did go on to say that Arsenal would be "forever grateful" for Henry's contribution, but was happier focusing on the broader attractions of a showdown between arguably the two best footballing teams in Europe.
"It is the football that is important — it will be the top technical level against Barcelona," he said.
