12 Dec 2008Henry named as fans' most popular Premier League player ever

Football Referees, Players, Managers and Media

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has been named as the most popular player ever to have appeared in the Premier League, it was confirmed yesterday (December 11th).

The Frenchman, 31, spent eight seasons with the Gunners, smashing a staggering 226 goals in all competitions and lifting two Premier League titles and three FA Cups in the process.

He has since moved to Barcelona but the Barclays Global Fans' survey - which incorporated 32,000 supporters in 185 countries - shows his stunning performances are certainly not forgotten.

Henry received 34 per cent of the 'favourite Premier League player of all time' vote, coming in ahead of Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard and former Manchester United and Leeds man Eric Cantona.

In addition, the poll showed that Henry's team-mate at the Nou Camp, Argentine wizard Lionel Messi, is the player most fans would like to see in the Premier League, having received over 50 per cent of the vote.

Meanwhile, Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, who is currently in charge of the Russian national side, was the manager most fans would want to see work in the English top flight.

When Henry arrived at Arsenal in 1999 from Juventus, boss Arsene Wenger transformed him from an out-of-sorts left-winger into the devastating striker who became the club's all-time leading scorer.

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