Former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry was bitterly disappointed to see Barcelona draw the Gunners in last week’s Champions League draw. As explained by his team mate Dani Alves, the Frenchman was very upset as he wanted to face his former club in the final but today, in an interview published by Sky Sports, it seems the 32-year old declared he has no intention of playing against his former club.

The striker explained how it would be “weird” for him to step on the pitch when Arsenal play and he’s on the opposite side of the field. With the two sides set to face for the 1st leg on March 31, when asked if he would celebrate a goal against the Gunners, Henry clearly said he has no intention of playing against them and he’s still in love with his former club.

He said:

Whenever there is a draw for the Champions League I’m in pain. I’m not saying I won’t try to fight or whatever because that’s the way the game is. But I don’t want to play against Arsenal. It will be weird for me to step on the pitch, even if it’s at the Emirates and not Highbury, with another shirt on.

[Celebrating if I score?] Forget about it. No. I do not want to play against Arsenal, simple as that. The bond that I have with the Arsenal fans I will never get anywhere else. Because I don’t think I will ever play for another team for that long. Eight years – I don’t think I will be with another team for eight years, I am getting old now.

Adapted from The Gunning Hawk

Alex Hleb ahead of the Barcelona game: I believe Arsenal can take them and win

For Arsenal supporters, Alexander Hleb will always be considered as one who could have done much more for the North London Club and was wrong when he decided to leave to join Barcelona. Ironically, the Belarus International is now one who could provide a lot of advise to his former team-mates having played for the Spanish giants and having lost against them in this year’s Champions League.

Ahead of the big match of March 31, the 28-year old explained how Arsenal should not fear the Catalans as they are more than capable of beating them if they play in the same way they did against Porto. Hleb labeled the Gunners’ style of football as “fantastic”, adding how they did incredibly well to recover from back-to-back defeats against Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premiership.

He said:

You just need to see the way Arsenal played against Porto. They have moved back into excellent form since they lost their games against Manchester United and Chelsea in the Premier League. I’m not going to say who will win, that’s difficult. But the way I see it, Arsenal have a real chance against Barcelona.

Arsenal have a style they like to play in and when they play well, like they did against Porto, it’s fantastic. Arsenal’s style is quicker than Barcelona’s build-up and passing is less direct. Arsenal move the ball faster. That can make life difficult for Barcelona.

Against Barcelona you need to try and hold onto the ball, be ready to break, and keep yourselves compact and it’s important not to go out there scared when you play against Barcelona. I don’t think Arsenal will do that. I believe they can take on Barcelona and do well, and win. Against Barcelona you cannot afford to make mistakes. We [Stuttgart] learnt that the hard way.

Adapted from The Gunning Hawk.

Arsenal 2-0 West Ham ;D ;D

Fabregas and Denilson scored ;D

And RvP is back to fitness and will take approximately month more to get to match fitness ((:

And hopefully Arsenal will get into semis of Champions League and make me even more happier. gunnersssss. <3

Victoria Concordia Crescit,