why blame the club henry? you know you can run all the way from your own side to the penalty box and score... why now? it's not like arsenal got caught match-fixing... their still in the UEFA champ league.... why leave?

Vincente, Hong Kong,

I'm a Barca fan. I believe Henry is great striker, but I do not think it's the right investment for Barca at this time. Barca already has a deadly Eto'o-Ronnie-Messi combo.

What Barca needs is a solid defense and a major league keeper. Puyol, Marquez, Oleguer and Thuram wouldn't cut it! Valdes is good but c'mon...

Jr, Houston, TX

Ah well another great player slips away from us but is Arsene lining himself up with another great squad for next year when he joins Barca ? Most probably. Let's hope that if he leaves as well Mr George Graham would return. I much prefer the good old Arsenal anyday

Tony Allodi, Stratford Upon Avon, Warks

Im an astute arsenal supporter,and as muh as I would have liked Henry to stay,his heart like that of Reyes was not with the Gooners,let him go and give his best at Barca,and allow someone else to rise to the occassion-think van Persie.Players are like soldiers ,once the spirit is gone ,there is no point hanging on to them,however good they have been in the past.Arsene knows better than most and we should see some good replacement soon.Good luk Thierry and thanks for the good times.

simel, Swindon, England

As a Man Utd supporter, I've been a quiet admirer of Henry, who plays the beautiful game.He will, indeed, be a sad loss for the Premiership.But, he has to look at furthering his career, as his footballing age is running out, & rather than play 3rd (or even 4th) fiddle to the Man Utd/Chelsea heirarchy, and competing with the likes of Liverpool, in the 'also-ran' category,he could still play his best in world football, being among the best.I, therefore, wish him all the best, & look forward to seeing him in Europe - certainly, when Man Utd play (and beat) Barca in the next European Cup Final - with Henry scoring a hat-trick, & with Man Utd trailing 3-1, with 2 minutes to go, only to win 4-3, with some dazzling last minute trickery, that only Man Utd could do.
Last point - is Arsenal finally losing it - meaning, Anelka (good foottballer, bad attitude)- why on earth do they want to re-buy this bloke, who rotates his teams, cashing in on every deal - meaning, he hardly set Bolton alight!

Ahmed, Leicester, England

The departure of Robert Pires and now Thierry Henry means that Arsenal are about 46 goals down before they even kick a ball. What I would like to know is where are these 46 goals expected to come from? Last season we Arsenal fans saw that our present crop of strikers could not provide anywhere close to this amount. Buying new strikers takes time and care and I can't see them arriving before August. Does this mean that European Champions League football will be something we shall remember than take part in...and even the Uefa Cup might be outside of our capabilities. Oh dear, Arsenal board....

Laurence Marks, Val d'Illiez, Switzerland.

I am a West Ham supporter but Iam still sad to see a player of Henry's stature leave the premier league. I am also glad West Ham didn't sign Bent for 17 m when Henry went for "only" 16 m.

Tim, London / Sweden, England / Sweden

Don't write an article with your with fantasy but write it with fact. Last season Henry is NEVER been drop by Wenger if not for his INJURY.

Rizal, Teluk Intan, Malaysia

Hitting the 30-year mark in August and with Arsenal's one-year contract policy for players of that age, it is only astute for Henry to leave now. It has been a mutually beneficial relationship between the club and the player, I would say. All true Gunners would have fond memories of Henry and would wish him well in all his future endeavours. I do!

Osigbesan Sultan Luqman, Pleasure, Lagos, Nigeria

In the time that I have been a Gunners fan, Henry is second only to Bergkamp (who was sorely missed during last season). Like Bergkamp, Henry will leaves a void at Arsenal that will be difficult, if not impossible, to fill.

Dan, Indianapolis, Indiana

At least the weather will be a bit warmer in Barcelona. That will mean he won't need to wear gloves to play in, the big jessie.

Richard Martin, Sheffield,

If there is a beginning, then there wil surely be an end. It is sad to see Henry leave, but this shouldnt surprise anyone as Arsene's philosophy has always been to have young players especially attackers. With midfielders or defenders he is willing to be a bit flexible what with Gilberto and the great Tony Adams. However, as nature abhors vacum, i am sure that some one wil fill the large space left by Henry; the question is how long will this take.
In the final analysis, we are all losers as the premiership will be denied the skills and presence of a true football artist who really enjoyed his trade. Thank you Henry for the joy and sadness you brought to our homes while you were here.

ose okpeku, cardiff, united kingdom

£16 million?what a joke, i suppose that means that darren bent is a better player than TH?what the hell is going on at the club?

darren webb, plymouth,

i don't understand how hrnry can leave the team at the most difficult moment for the club, for me i think people like delpiero, pavel nedved and boufon should be remenbered as great player with loyalties because they have fight the relagation and then promote the club. despite all the offer the have elsewhere with great pay. some time loyalty is not french.

edo kabasele, birmingham, UK

I am truly gutted; it is not often you come across a player who commands such great respect on and off the pitch. As much as he will be missed I'd still like to wish him all the best. A true gent.

tmf, london,

today is a sad day for me to see that Henry is leaving arsenal, i wish this would be a dream and when i wake up i will see that i was just dreaming.

edo kabasele, birmingham, UK

could you think how will be the barça's team next season??
ronaldinho, eto'o, messi, henry.... and the rest... oh my god.... so good for thouse who love football.....

catalan, barcelona, spain

Life goes on I think you are seeing things through rose-tinted spectacles. When Barca were said to be bidding for Henry last Summer the transfer fee was said to be around 30M. One more trophyless season with Henry has cost them 14M in transfer fees aswell as the improved terms that Henry was paid this season. Good Business? I don't think so.

Sam Peskin, London, UK

16 million pounds for Darren Bent or Thierry Henry!!!! Barcelona must be laughing all the way to the bank

Sid, london,

Milions of tears will be shed in the days to come

A.T. Martin, Warsaw, Poland

Arsenal create plenty of chances without Henry in the side. what is really needed is a clinical striker and Anelka would more than suite the role supported by a fit again Van Persie.
Neither is Henry is the player he was and it makes good sense to move him on now.

Every player has their time, Henry has had his for Arsenal. Bad for the Premiership good business for Arsenal.

life goes on, London,

I am just so sad.However,Arsenal must do all in their power to keep Wenger.He is more important than any player at the club.
I am just so sad!

Bello Inua, barnsley,

I know i speak for many when i say that i am devastated in the departure of Thierry. It has been a worry that we (the fans) are faced with every season and one that you expect When you have one of the best strikers in the world playing for you.
A fantastic and magical player he was, a great player he still is, but not the same player that graced the turf at Highbury. Arsene Wenger has been our most consistent member of the team and will continue to be so, and for that reason alone i will not panic, but instead show some faith in him and the decisions that he makes.
Avoire Thierry and good luck, you will be sorely missed, we will never forget the service you gave to our club.

Eddie Bovingdon, London, England

As a Arsenal fan this is a sad day if this is true. It seems that at the start of everyseason we lose a great player. we suffered when Vieira left and it has taken awhile to cover this lose. Henry will be different, he is the best player in the world, so how can you replace him, it is a loss not only to the club but the Premiership is now a less marketable product without him. As for Anelka as a replacement, that would be a step backwards. the only other striker anywhere near as good as Henry is Drogba.

Grant Hopwood, baghdad, Iraq

I'm a Barcelona fan, so great news for us. Henry is a super class player and I'm sure we´ll enjoy him in every match. It also will be good for the team to have some competition between strikers; last season has been really dissapointing for Barcelona fans mainly for the attitude of our 'stars'. Henry is perfect for Barcelona's scheme of playing football, the perfect artist for an artistic team.

Patricia, Soria, Spain

I'm surprised he was only worth $16million.....would have thought a 24-26 million bid would have been more fair.

A shame. Being a arsenal fan. Perhaps that might be the end of arsenal dominance, then again, even without Henry for a majority Arsene's young side have an impressive record against the top 3. Best thing a gunner fan can do right now, is hope there is someone to fill at least half of the massive void Henry made.

Henry, Sydney, Aus

He was disappointed Arsenal did not win big.

But he failed to score in the European Final and the World Cup Final.

I should think Arsenal were disappointed too.

Not a big match player.

Phil, Hong Kong,

This present Arsenal Board is ruining our club. No money available to strengthen the side its time Hill-Wood and co made way for Kroenke, Bring back David Dein before we slip into mediocrity. We need to be a buying not selling club if we are to win the Champions League instead of helping out the likes of Barcelona where's our ambition gone.

Steve Card, Swansea,

I think he has been far too big for his boots for two or three seasons. He started to believe his own publicity, lost his inner drive, and finally spark and creativity.
Time to move on.
Bryan Stanion

Bryan Stanion, Agios Nikolaos, Crete, Greece

Sad to see a legend go. From a Man Utd fan.

Perce, london,

Great timing by Wenger.

Henry has been a great servant but is no bigger than the Club.

If he cannot be around as a POSITIVE influence on the young players he must leave.

Statistically his form has tailed off considerably in the last 2 years, especially in the league.

The Dein issue is a non issue. Henry is naive on business and how its done. Since when was Thierry a commentator on ownership / club management issues?

The ego got too big and he was not delievering as a depreciating resource.

Wenger is a wise man and knows TH is past his sell by date at Arsenal.

mark B, Loxhill, UK

Im a Newcastle fan, but i have to say im devastated he's leaving. The best player the premiership has had bar none. What a terrible miss - real shame.

Keithman, Gosforth, England

I like henry. he is really a entertaining player , a very good al round player for half of the pitch. It will definitely be very difficult to find a easy replacement for him. But i have doubts , calling him great as any one of these present day footballers as they want instant medals, instant pay rise etc. TRUE great are player who do not tell or leave their club because the club is not buying top footballers but they carry the club on their shoulders and brings medals,success to the club.By buying top footballers if you win 100 medals what is the great deal about it and it can compare to one medal if you fight with what ever you have and bring medals/honours by yourself. REMEMEBER NAPOLI , REMEMBER ONE MR MARADONA.

sasanka ghosh, kolkata,

Oh my god, I am mourning.We have no marquee player anymore.But life goes on.

naco.bolote, London,

I am not a Arsenal fan and i wonder where the goals will come from. More worring is the loss to the whole Premiership in one of the most talented and entertaining gentleman in the moder game. Good luck.

mark shepperson, chiang mai, thailand