Jun 26, 2007 - 12:01 PM
0 shoutsBy Ben Hayward Special to PA SportsTicker
BARCELONA (Ticker) -- Thierry Henry believes his spell on the Arsenal sidelines last season could prove beneficial for his new club Barcelona.
Following the completion of his $32 million transfer from the north London club on Monday, the France striker was quick to dismiss reports that he has become injury-prone over the last few campaigns.
"For the very first time, if you have followed my career, I had an injury this year which stopped me from playing," the 29-year-old said.
"But if you look at my records I have had only one. I had the medical (at Barcelona) and I passed easily."
Henry was restricted to 31 games last term as he struggled with a sciatic nerve problem, but believes the break will leave him feeling fresh for his first season in Spain.
"Maybe not having played too much last season will be good for me next season. I have only had one (serious) injury and nobody should worry about me being injured," he said.
Henry had been linked with Barcelona for the last few seasons and admitted he was happy to sign for the club he has long admired from afar.
"I am really pleased to be here," he said. "It has been a long chase, but I am finally here and happy to be here. Barcelona is more than a club, the fans are coming and you can see what it means to the people here."
Arsenal's all-time record goal scorer revealed he has not set any personal targets for the coming season and stressed that the team comes first.
"I never set myself any targets. It has to be a club target, a Barcelona target. Barcelona at the beginning wants to win everything, so I will try my hardest to make sure that I can help. It has to be a team effort," he said.
Henry admitted to being surprised by the huge expectation surrounding his transfer, which saw Barca switch the player's unveiling to the larger Paris room - above the club shop - from the press lounge (where players are usually presented to the media) and 30,000 supporters turn up at the Nou Camp to welcome him.
"Without being modest, I am always quite surprised when I see you guys (the press) here and the people waiting in the stands. It is amazing to see. In the beginning I just wanted to play football," he said.
Henry revealed that he had spoken to Barca coach Frank Rijkaard on two occasions and dismissed reports that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger would be following him to the Nou Camp.
"I have met Frank Rijkaard so many times (in the past) but never to talk about Barcelona," he said. "We had a chat when I was allowed to speak to Barcelona and after I signed.
"I haven't heard the rumors about Arsenal, but I can only go with what he has said and he has said that he is going to see out his contract (at Arsenal)."
Henry will wear the number 14 shirt graced by Johan Cruyff at Barcelona, but explained that this choice had nothing to do with the Dutch legend, an icon at the Catalan club as both a player and a manager.
"The president (Joan Laporta) asked me why I wanted the number 14," Henry said. "When I joined Arsenal, a friend of mine had the number 12 (which the player uses for France) and number 14 was the only number available, so I have used it ever since.
"No disrespect to Johan Cruyff, we can talk about Johan Cruyff for a very long time, but the reason for me getting the number 14 was just random.
Before his move to Rijkaard's side, Henry was linked with a transfer to Italian giants Internazionale, but claimed he had never held talks with the Italian champions.
"To be honest, no ... I love Italian food, I love Italian football, the teams, but I always said that if I ever left Arsenal it would be to play for Barcelona. The most important thing is that Barcelona win, things go well and we win trophies," he said.
