Opinion: Thierry Henry won’t ever return to Arsenal as manager

Thierry Henry will join an expanding list of Arsenal legends staying as far away from the club as possible.

The international break has taken its toll on the football world. There isn’t really much action to look out for. However, there has been two reasons for Arsenal fans to smile this week; those are Thierry Henry being announced as the new manager of AS Monaco, and Germany being hammered to a subpar Netherlands side. Can’t blame Ozil now, can you?!

Many are excited by the prospect of Henry managing Monaco as they feel like it’s a sign he will return to manage Arsenal one day. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but he’s not going to manage Arsenal. Period.

He’s not needed around these parts.

More from Arsenal FC

• Gunners do just enough to claim victory in season opener
• Arsenal: We bottled it but I don’t care
• Arsenal complete record deal for Declan Rice
• Arsenal splurges on transfers as they aim to collect silverware
• Arsenal complete the signing of Kai Havertz

Don’t get me wrong, I’m just as delighted as the next person by his new job landing. AS Monaco aren’t a direct rival, and the club clearly has a place in his heart. But I just can’t see why he would be needed at Arsenal.

It’s a new era in North London, the Gunners no longer need a manager. Unai Emery came in over the summer to replace the ageing Arsene Wenger, and from what we’ve learnt so far, he’s pretty capable of doing the job.

Arsenal sit in 4th place in the Premier League, a mere improvement considering they were at the bottom of the table just two games in. There is a positive harmony around Arsenal right now, and honestly, I can’t think of many changes I would make.

Should I be ruling out the future?

I mean, who knows? Perhaps in 20 years time when Sir Troopz and Robbie MBE are calling for Emery to be fired, I will be the first to welcome Henry back to the club.

But along with a change of personnel, there is a new feel to the way in which the club is run. There is no longer a sense of sentimentality, which shouldn’t be mistaken for a bad thing. In my eyes, relying on sentimentality for too long marked the darkest era in Arsenal football club. Nowadays, it seems, there is a more stern approach to proving your worth.

When Emery begins to deteriorate, which shouldn’t be any time soon, I have no doubt that the Arsenal board will deal with the situation in a more timely manner. I mean, let’s just hope Stan Kroenke takes an early retirement from dictating Arsenal…

Do you think Thierry Henry will ever manage at Arsenal?