Henry & Larsson: Similar tale but different ending?

Larsson celebrating with his team.

Does the name, Henrik Larsson, ring a bell?

May be a few United faithful might remember him for his debut goal against Aston Villa in the 3rd round of FA Cup in 2007. Quick one touch passes between former United player Cristiano Ronaldo, Michael Carrick, and Wayne Rooney – who squared the ball to Larsson – found Larsson make a run into the box before taking the ball onto his right foot and blasting it past the Villa defense into the top right corner.

Still finding it hard to recollect?

The Arsenal team came close to European glory once in 2006 when they met Barcelona in the Champions League final in Paris. An equalizer from Eto’o in the second half in reply to Sol Campbell’s goal in the first, and a brilliant effort from the substitute defender Belletti which gave Barca the lead makes one forget Larsson’s contribution to the two goals.

Arsenal forward Thierry Henry did not forget the catalyst who changed the Barca chemistry when he came on as a substitute in the second half.

“People always talk about Ronaldinho, Eto’o, Giuly and everything, but I didn’t see them today, I saw Henrik Larsson. He came on, he changed the game, that is what killed the game. Sometimes you talk about Ronaldinho and Eto’o and people like that; you need to talk about the proper footballer who made the difference, and that was Henrik Larsson tonight”, said Henry after the game.

A season after that night in Paris, Thierry Henry shifted to Spain and Larsson moved back to the United Kingdom. Henry’s siesta with the Catalan club has produced more trophies than gratification. In an interview with Gary Cook on the BBC he spoke about missing life back home.

Larsson had won four Scottish premier league titles and two Scottish cups with Celtic before his move to Barcelona. The lack of an European medal in his collection must have prompted him to move away from Scotland. Similarly Henry’s frustration with Arsenal’s lack of strength to challenge for trophies in Europe was one of the main reasons why he left Arsenal for Barcelona.

Larsson with the Champions league Winners medal.

Barca has quenched their thirst for Euro success and provided them with the riches that their previous clubs couldn’t offer. However, there was something missing during their stay at Camp Nou. It was the love and comfort they felt from the English fans in their home away from home at United kingdom. With the La liga notoriously known for racism, the two former barca strikers were never put in the same bracket as club legends Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta.

Manchester United brought Larsson to Old Trafford on loan for a couple of months as a cover for the United forward line. With Saha’s recurring injuries and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the fag end of his career, Sir Alex Ferguson had convinced Larsson to join United.

The swede made 10 appearances for the club and scored 3 goals in the process.

Henry’s return to London was a fairy tale affair, like Larsson even Henry has scored the only winning goal in the FA cup 3rd round but against a different side.

Larsson decided not to extend his loan deal despite being offered one by Sir Alex.

However, the manager lauded his contribution for the side and for his role in the title race against Chelsea.

“He’s been fantastic for us, his professionalism, his attitude, everything he’s done has been excellent.

“We would love him to stay but, obviously, he has made his promise to his family and Helsingborg and I think we should respect that – but I would have done anything to keep him”, praised the Glaswegian.

Henry back on a mission.

Henry like Larsson was also signed on a two month loan for Arsenal as a cover for their two forwards Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh.

After winning their 9th premier league title in 2007, United has requested for an extra medal despite Larsson not playing the required quota of 10 league games to qualify for a Premier League winners medal.

Thierry Henry is here to do whatever he can for Arsenal, though helping Arsenal close the gap at the top is even beyond his powers, ensuring that Arsenal finishes in the top should be his aim. Speaking to the guardian Henry said,

“But I do think this team does have what it takes to finish in the top four, particularly if you think about the way the team has come back from the beginning of the season. I know that people want more, and I can assure you that the players want more. [Targeting a place in the top four is] not what you want to see as an Arsenal fan and, trust me, as an Arsenal player also. But the team is slowly getting into form. The season is still long, anything can happen.”

Will a 34 year old Henry lift Arsenal what a 36 year old Larsson in 2007 has achieved at United?