Thierry Henry has admitted he would love to have played with
Mesut Ozil at Arsenal, and believes the Germany playmaker has the
quality to help them end their eight-year trophy drought.
Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer insists the former Real Madrid man has backed up his £42.5million price tag since joining the Emirates club this summer and compared Ozil to fellow Arsenal old boy Robert Pires.
And the spearhead of Arsenal’s 2003-04 Invincibles side claims Ozil’s vision, passing ability and composure on the ball make him a striker’s dream.
In the know: Thierry Henry believes Mesut Ozil has made the difference since signing from Real Madrid
Lynchpin: Mesut Ozil (right) has shone since joining Arsenal from Real Madrid this summer
'I would have loved to have played with him, he reminds me of Robert
Pires,’ Henry told Sky Sports ahead of Arsenal's Champions League clash
with Napoli. ‘He will share the ball. He can find a guy who is quick, a
target striker. He can play any type of ball.
'He has the thing you want from a midfielder. He has time. It seems like he is playing on his own in his garden.
'He brought that composure on the ball that you need. I think he brought that to Arsenal football club.
'Him coming with his name. You have got to back it up. He did back it up.'
Arsene Wenger’s side sit five points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Barclays Premier League, and Henry believes one result last season gave his beloved Arsenal the impetus to make such a marked improvement over the summer.
Arsenal outclassed eventual Champions League winners Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in March, but their 2-0 victory wasn’t enough to prevent them losing the last-16 tie on away goals.
But the France World Cup-winner believes the north-London club regained a winning mentality and a self belief after beating arguably the world’s best club teams in their own back yard.
When asked what has impressed him most about Arsenal’s outstanding start to the season, he said: ‘Just the belief that they have again.’
Dynamic duo: Ozil (left) and Robert Pires (right) have much in common, according to Thierry Henry
Over the moon: Olivier Giroud celebrates his strike at the Allianz Arena last season
Legend: Arsenal's Thierry Henry remains much loved at the Emirates Stadium
‘Knowing that they can beat any team at any moment. I think, if you
remember well, the game against Bayern Munich, away from home, did a lot
for them.
‘Knowing that they can beat the Champions – they didn’t know it at the time – away from home, and well, did a lot for the team. Since that game, everything changed. For me.‘
Henry also cast his eye over the Ballon d'Or candidates, running the rule over Franck Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
'He’s a great player. He’s another type of player,' Henry said of Bayern Munich winger and countryman Franck Ribery.
'He’d rather set up someone than score a goal. That’s the type of player you want to play with. For me, obviously, I would love for him to win it.'
Henry admits that he was sceptical of former international team-mate Louis Saha when he told Henry Ronaldo would one day be the world's best.
In the mix: Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery (right) and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left)
Returning hero: Lionel Messi is recovering from injury while in Argentina
'There’s always big talk about Ronaldo, and his attitude and all of
that,' Henry added. 'At one point you have to stop talking about the
attitude and looking at the stats and what he’s been doing, and stop
talking. And just watch. What he’s been doing is crazy.
'Louis Saha used to tell me back in the day, that Ronaldo would be the best in the world for a very long time. I was like, okay, let’s see. Because you know, I didn’t know. And Louis said, you know the way he works, is unbelievable. And you have to give him his credit.'
Finally, Henry moved on to four-time winner and Barcelona's prolific forward Messi.
'He wants to play every single game. Like every single game. Like, cup game, first round, second round. In training he wants to beat everybody.
'You know, the typical one, where he gets fouled. But they don’t call the foul on him. Next thing you know, he will go and ask the keeper to give him the ball, and run past everyone and score.
'He will take it from you, wherever you are, and score again. Until he gets a bit more relaxed. So then you end up losing the game. I’ve never seen that before.'
Arsenal’s all-time top goalscorer insists the former Real Madrid man has backed up his £42.5million price tag since joining the Emirates club this summer and compared Ozil to fellow Arsenal old boy Robert Pires.
And the spearhead of Arsenal’s 2003-04 Invincibles side claims Ozil’s vision, passing ability and composure on the ball make him a striker’s dream.
In the know: Thierry Henry believes Mesut Ozil has made the difference since signing from Real Madrid
Lynchpin: Mesut Ozil (right) has shone since joining Arsenal from Real Madrid this summer
'He has the thing you want from a midfielder. He has time. It seems like he is playing on his own in his garden.
'He brought that composure on the ball that you need. I think he brought that to Arsenal football club.
'Him coming with his name. You have got to back it up. He did back it up.'
Arsene Wenger’s side sit five points clear of Liverpool at the top of the Barclays Premier League, and Henry believes one result last season gave his beloved Arsenal the impetus to make such a marked improvement over the summer.
Arsenal outclassed eventual Champions League winners Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in March, but their 2-0 victory wasn’t enough to prevent them losing the last-16 tie on away goals.
But the France World Cup-winner believes the north-London club regained a winning mentality and a self belief after beating arguably the world’s best club teams in their own back yard.
When asked what has impressed him most about Arsenal’s outstanding start to the season, he said: ‘Just the belief that they have again.’
Dynamic duo: Ozil (left) and Robert Pires (right) have much in common, according to Thierry Henry
Over the moon: Olivier Giroud celebrates his strike at the Allianz Arena last season
Legend: Arsenal's Thierry Henry remains much loved at the Emirates Stadium
‘Knowing that they can beat the Champions – they didn’t know it at the time – away from home, and well, did a lot for the team. Since that game, everything changed. For me.‘
Henry also cast his eye over the Ballon d'Or candidates, running the rule over Franck Ribery, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
'He’s a great player. He’s another type of player,' Henry said of Bayern Munich winger and countryman Franck Ribery.
'He’d rather set up someone than score a goal. That’s the type of player you want to play with. For me, obviously, I would love for him to win it.'
Henry admits that he was sceptical of former international team-mate Louis Saha when he told Henry Ronaldo would one day be the world's best.
In the mix: Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery (right) and Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo (left)
Returning hero: Lionel Messi is recovering from injury while in Argentina
'Louis Saha used to tell me back in the day, that Ronaldo would be the best in the world for a very long time. I was like, okay, let’s see. Because you know, I didn’t know. And Louis said, you know the way he works, is unbelievable. And you have to give him his credit.'
Finally, Henry moved on to four-time winner and Barcelona's prolific forward Messi.
'He wants to play every single game. Like every single game. Like, cup game, first round, second round. In training he wants to beat everybody.
'You know, the typical one, where he gets fouled. But they don’t call the foul on him. Next thing you know, he will go and ask the keeper to give him the ball, and run past everyone and score.
'He will take it from you, wherever you are, and score again. Until he gets a bit more relaxed. So then you end up losing the game. I’ve never seen that before.'
