t’s been over 15 years since Thierry Henry left Arsenal to join FC Barcelona in the summer of 2007. However, former Arsenal CEO Keith Edelman has recently revealed the main reason behind the French striker’s departure.

Henry’s Physical Decline

According to Edelman, Henry was no longer the same player from his prime years, as his game heavily relied on speed, which was starting to fade. "The reason Thierry left was because he was losing his pace. His game was all about speed, and if you lose that, you’re done," he told The Sun.

The former Arsenal executive defended the decision to sell Henry for €24 million, arguing that while the fee may seem low in hindsight, it was a good deal considering his decline. "It’s like the situation with Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City. Would it have been smarter to sell him last summer for more money or keep him and risk his value dropping?" he questioned.

Henry’s Impact at Barcelona

Barcelona’s interest in Henry was no secret, as the club had been tracking him for years. His arrival came during a transition period for the Blaugrana, who had just endured a trophyless season. While his first year under Frank Rijkaard wasn’t spectacular, everything changed when Pep Guardiola took over in 2008.

Under Guardiola, Henry became a key part of Barcelona’s legendary attacking trio alongside Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto’o. His best season came in 2008-09, when he played a crucial role in Barça’s historic sextuple, winning La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League, Spanish Super Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the Club World Cup. In total, Henry made 121 appearances for Barcelona, scoring 49 goals before leaving in 2010. His time at the club proved that even a player seemingly past his peak could still shine in the right system.