Thierry Henry has confessed that he has been emotionally torn to shreds by the Champions League draw which sees his Barcelona team drawn against former club Arsenal.
The veteran French striker who captained Arsene Wenger’s side before his move to the Nou Camp, spent eight years as a fan favourite, eclipsing the scoring feats of Ian Wright and Cliff Bastin and leading the Gunners to two Premier League titles.
Speaking about the Quarter-Final draw and the prospect of returning to the Emirates stadium and running out in front of the Arsenal fans, the 32-year-old stated:
"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."
Asked if he would celebrate any goal scored against Arsenal, Henry continued:
"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."