HAVING CALLED TIME on his illustrious career last month, Thierry Henry will make his eagerly anticipated debut as a Sky Sports pundit when Arsenal, his former side, travel to Eastlands to face Manchester City today.
Of course, the prolific striker is no stranger to the role having appeared on the broadcaster’s Champions League programmes as well as being part of BBC’s team at last summer’s World Cup. And, a lot is expected of him.
Not least because Henry will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the studio or because he won more than 35 major trophies – both individual and team – but because he joins a panel of experts – and a company – that have set a precedent for football coverage.
“I played for some of the best teams in football and now I’m joining what I think is the best team in television. I’m looking forward to joining the guys and helping to provide Sky Sports viewers with the best possible analysis. I can’t wait,” he said back in December.
Henry will join Graeme Souness at the Ethiad Stadium as Sky flaunt their new marquee signing for the first time. It’s been reported the 37-year-old has signed a deal worth up to £25 million with the broadcaster.
Man City head into the game on the back of a 12 game unbeaten streak in the league and will be confident of getting the better of the Gunners, once again.
Since the 2012/13 season, Arsenal have managed only one victory in a dozen league matches against teams that went on to finish in the top four and last year they were thrashed 6-3 at Manchester City, 6-0 at Chelsea and 5-1 at Liverpool.
However, Arsene Wenger is planning to throw out the history books and believes Arsenal are approaching a turning point, and says the past will matter little against City this weekend.
“You have many games when you know you will be judged on your potential,” he told reporters. “Manchester City is one of them. Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool are other games that people have a close eye on to judge your potential.
“The history will not play a big part in this game. It’s the performance of the day that will play the biggest part and the only important part.”
Manuel Pellegrini, who added to his squad with the £27 million signing of Wilfried Bony from Swansea City this week, could be boosted by returns to the starting XI of Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero.
However, Samir Nasri has been ruled out for up to a month with a calf injury, rendering him unavailable for selection to face his former club, and Edin Dzeko (thigh) remains a doubt.
Bony is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with the Ivory Coast, along with City colleague Yaya Toure.
Mathieu Debuchy (shoulder), Mikel Arteta (ankle), Danny Welbeck (thigh) and Jack Wilshere (ankle) are all missing for Arsenal, who could welcome back Kieran Gibbs after a heel injury.
