Thierry Responds, and He is NOT happy

Thierry Henry is NOT a happy camper. First came the tiff with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger after Thierry was told he wasn’t playing in last Saturday’s game. Thierry stormed off the field and said he was taking a full month off, not just the few days he’d been told to. The reason now given by all is so his neck can have time to heal, which is certainly valid. And everybody is now painting on smiley faces. But all is not well at Arsenal.

Then on Sunday that article apppeared in the Journal Du Dimanche where Henry’s France teammates (and apparently France staff also) trashed him, anonymously, as egotistical, pretentious, and lacking in spontaneity and joy.

Henry has responded in L’Equipe. And he’s a bit pissed. He is NOT happy that his teammates sank to this level, and REALLY not happy that they did it anonymously. Here’s his self-defense: (I love this!)

Yes, he says, “It’s true that I have a character of a pig. It’s not lying to say this. Sometimes I like to be right, even when I am wrong. But to claim that I wanted power, no. To claim that I wanted to play in 4-5-1, no. All those who know me know that I prefer to play with a teammate up front. To say that I pushed my friend David aside… I always defend David for selection. But…fine, I am going to try to smile a little more on the pitch.”

What do you think? A little bitter?

Since one of the main criticisms of Henry was that he takes criticism poorly… Well, it will be VERY interesting to see how this all plays out for Les Bleus when they get back together for the Argentina friendly in February. Oh! The suspicion! The anger! The sulking silences! The taking of sides! How, oh, how will Daddy Domenech keep the peace enough to get them to focus on the game!

You have no idea how much I wish I could watch this play out in person.

(Dang. Where are Dhorasoo and his camera when you need them?)