Hopes a new era may convince Henry to stay

HIGHBURY legend Ian Wright believes the lure of taking Arsenal into a “new era” at the Emirates Stadium could help persuade Thierry Henry to stay at the club.

Gunners captain Henry will take great pride when he leads his team out for the Champions League final against Barcelona in his home town of Paris next week.

However, whether or not the brilliant Frenchman – who has netted more than 30 goals this season and was the Barclays Premiership’s top scorer – will still be with Arsenal when they move to their new home at the start of next season remains a debate.

Henry turns 29 in August and must now decide whether to commit his long-term future to the Gunners or play out the final years of his illustrious career elsewhere.

Although the Gunners secured another crack at the Champions League by snatching fourth place in the Premiership from Tottenham last weekend, there have been suggestions the outcome of Wednesday night’s encounter at the Stade de France could prove the key.

Beat the Spanish giants, and Henry could consider his job in north London complete, lose and his only chance of winning Europe’s top prize with the Gunners may well have passed by.

However, the lure of leading Arsene Wenger’s emerging side into the new state-of-the-art home at Ashburton Grove is one Wright feels could tip the balance.

The 42-year-old former Arsenal striker saw his goalscoring record surpassed by Henry earlier this season, and can understand the dilemma the France international is facing.

Wright said: “What Arsenal have to pin their hopes on is that Thierry wants to bring in the new era of the club at the new stadium.

“If he is in love with that concept, then he could stay.

“But if he does win the Champions League, and wants, for his own sake, to go and play in a Barcelona side, who I’m sure would welcome him, who could begrudge him?”