Thierry Henry earned his statue in front of the Arsenal stadium as the greatest player in Gunners history, then last year led the Red Bulls to the first Supporters’ Shield of their history. On Saturday, his current team beat his former squad 1-0 in the sold-out New York Cup that saw Arsenal fans take over the stands, but the Red Bulls own the play on the field.
Henry assisted on the only goal — Ibrahim Sekagya heading the Frenchman’s corner kick down to Bradley Wright-Phillips for the tally — and came off in the 54th minute, taking a minute-long stroll to the sidelines as he shook hands with players and referees, and got a standing ovation from Red Bulls and Arsenal fans alike.
“It was great. It was amazing to see the fans give me a standing ovation,’’ said Henry, who was honored with a massive tifo (banner) in the South Ward section of the stands, featuring a drawing of him wearing a half-Red Bulls, half-Arsenal jersey, and reading, “Gunner. Red Bull. Legend.”
“It was amazing,” he said. “I didn’t know about it and I was surprised. It was pretty cool.’’
In front of a crowd of 25,219, Wright-Phillips scored in his sixth straight game, his 32nd-minute tally beating the Gunners team for which his father, Ian, starred. Goalkeeper Luis Robles robbed Arsenal twice — Jack Wilshere in the 38th minute and Chuba Akpom in the 79th.
But it was Henry who was the story of the day — along with 17-year-old Gedion Zelalem. The Arsenal prodigy is eligible to play for Germany (where he was born) or Ethiopia (where his family is from), but he lived in Washington, D.C., from age 9-15 and — because his father is in the process of obtaining American citizenship — could become eligible for the United States’ team as well.
Zelalem started for Arsenal, and his great interplay and one-touch feed set up Wilshere’s dangerous chance. The teenager came off at halftime not having looked out of place on an EPL power.
“At the moment I’m just trying to break into the first team with Arsenal, and I really have more football to play. … No decision has been made [regarding a national team],’’ Zelalem said. “[I’ve talked with U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann] on the phone a few times, but nothing advanced.
“They’re both great countries. The U.S. is on the rise, Germany’s already a great country, so whichever country I choose, it’ll be a good choice.’’
Wishere said Zelalem is”a great kid.”
“The main thing is he’s willing to learn, to listen, he’s respectful,” Wilshere added. “And the main thing is his ability.
That’s the key thing with him. He’s got so much ability, he can be what he wants. He has to get a bit stronger, but the ability will take him through.’’