Thierry Henry lifts lid on Arsenal’s rivalry with Man United

Thierry Henry insists that Arsenal’s famous rivalry with Manchester United was always full of respect.

United and Arsenal shared the first five Premier League titles following the French striker’s arrival in north London back in 1999.

The intense competition between the two English heavyweights inevitably sparked some heated encounters during Henry’s spell with the Gunners.

I would say it was like a rivalry, a big one but with a lot of respect

Thierry Henry

But Henry, who is Arsenal’s record goal-scorer with 228 strikes to his name, insists that the competition between the two clubs was always “respectful”.

“It was beyond the title with Arsenal and Man United,” he said, speaking in a brand-new documentary, ‘Arsenal Legends: Thierry Henry’.

“It was [all about] beating Man United. And I’m sure it was for them it was about beating us and then let’s see about the title after.

“As players we always tried to explain to people that there was a big respect. Every Arsenal player had a lot of respect for Man United and I’m sure it was the same in the other camp.

“Every time the press was saying that Arsene said something about [Sir Alex] Ferguson and Ferguson said something about Arsene. And they were making it the big game, which it was at the time because we were competing every time to win the league.

“When the game was on, you’re always going to remember that face-off with Patrick [Vieira] and Roy Keane and the battles of Martin [Keown] and [Ruud] van Nistelrooy and the rest. But in a way it was still kind of respectful.

“I would say it was like a rivalry, a big one but with a lot of respect.”

‘Arsenal Legends – Thierry Henry’ is available exclusively from iTunes now