Messi would welcome Henry arrival

Barcelona’s impending capture of Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has been welcomed by the Spanish giants’ playmaker Lionel Messi.

Henry is due in the Catalan city this evening to finalise his move from Arsenal, and if all goes well the Frenchman is expected to be presented as a Barca player tomorrow.

Arsenal’s record goalscorer will reportedly pen a four-year deal at the Nou Camp and will cost Barca £16million.

“Henry is a great player, for that reason he comes to Barca,” Messi said.

“’Titi’ (Henry) has shown during all these years that he is a great player. Cesc (Fabregas) has always said that ’Titi’ is fantastic in training and that he is even better away from the pitch, as a friend and a leader.”

Henry’s arrival at the Nou Camp would give Barca coach Frank Rijkaard a wealth of attacking options next season, with the likes of Samuel Eto’o, Ronaldinho, Eidur Gudjohnsen and Messi already on the books.

That may mean less playing time next season for each star, but Messi believes the increased competition can only be good for the team.

“For me, the presence of Henry does not worry me. I am not a child anymore and I know what I am capable of,” the Argentina international told El Mundo Deportivo.

“I don’t know how we will play, this is something that must by resolved by Rijkaard, but if Henry signs it is because Frank knows how we will play to make us even stronger.”