Arsenal Legend Thierry Henry Inducted Into Hall Of Fame
Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and former Blackburn and Newcastle striker Alan Shearer have become the first former players to be inducted into the all-new Premier League Hall of Fame, the league announced on Monday.
The striking duo won three Premier League titles between them, scoring in excess of a combined 435 goals in the English top flight and have spoken of their pride at the accolade.
Henry was part of the hugely successful Arsenal side of the early 2000s who won the league and cup double in the 2001-2002 season. He was also a member of the ‘Invincibles’ team who went unbeaten during the 2003-2004 campaign. He also provided a joint-record 20 assists in 2002/03.
In his eight years in the Premier League, the Frenchman scored 175 times and provided 74 assists in 258 matches for Arsenal.
He also broke Ian Wright’s Arsenal goalscoring record and won the Golden Boot on four occasions (2001-2002, 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006).
Two centre-forwards, both gifted with natural skill and talent who have written their names in Premier League history
We’re delighted to announce Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry as the first two inductees of the #PLHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/MAKgi3SYzV
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 26, 2021
“To be inducted alongside Alan Shearer as the two first inductees into the Premier League Hall of Fame is more than special,” Arsenal legend Thierry Henry said after the induction.
“When I was young, I was just trying to make sure I could get a pair of boots and now we’re talking about the Hall of Fame.”
Composure, natural skill and rapid pace saw Thierry Henry redefine forward play
His outrageous strikes saw him win four Golden Boots, two Player of the Season awards and two Premier League titles
He is the second 2021 Inductee to the #PLHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/rG89fkSizA
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 26, 2021
“During my career I wanted to play hard and make sure I was fighting for the cause, because that’s all the fans want to see,” Henry added.
If you asked me at the start of my career about entering the Hall of Fame, I wouldn’t have believed you. It’s an amazing honour.”
Meanwhile, Alan Shearer is the Premier League’s all-time record scorer with 260 goals to his name during his glittering career with Southampton, Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.
The former England captain won the Premier League in 1994-95 with Blackburn Rovers before moving to Newcastle, his boyhood club, in July 1996 for a then world record fee of £15 million.
“When you look at some of the unbelievable players to have graced the Premier League – week in, week out, year in, year out – I feel very honoured to join the Hall of Fame,” Shearer said
“I have to thank all of my team-mates, as well as the managers and coaches that I’ve worked with. All I ever wanted to be was a professional footballer.”
If there was a ball and a goal, nothing could stop Alan Shearer
The ultimate centre-forward, @alanshearer scored with pace, power and incredible technique, netting a record 260 Premier League goals in his playing career
He is the first 2021 Inductee to the #PLHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/ZcQIvINXa6
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 26, 2021
It was my dream to do that, my dream to win trophies and my dream to score at St James’ Park, to wear the number nine black-and-white shirt and it was fantastic. I enjoyed every minute of it,” Shearer added.
A shortlist of 23 additional nominees will be announced later on Monday, with fans invited to vote to help select the remaining six inductees to the 2021 Premier League Hall of Fame.
Players must have been retired as of August 1, 2020 to be eligible for induction, the league said.
Iconic player. Iconic moment.#PLHallOfFame | @premierleague pic.twitter.com/M34IpsXBet
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 26, 2021
Chidi Nwoke.
