By Kim Tong-hyung
Staff Reporter
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry failed to hide a sense of disgust after being asked the question he seemingly hears every time _ will he no longer play for the crowds at Emirates Stadium?
``You have been asking me this all so many times and you already know the answer to that question,'' said the 29-year-old French international in a news conference in Seoul Friday, declining to discuss news reports that he could be leaving for Barcelona.
Refusing to say whether he wants to move on, however, Henry didn't seem too passionate about convincing the hoard of reporters about his commitment to the Gunners.
When asked what he thinks his legacy will be, having accomplished nearly every club and individual honor in an impressive Premiership career that started in 1999, Henry bluntly replied that he is ``not trying to live in the past.''
``I surely know what I have done (in Arsenal). At the moment, I am trying to add some pages to my book,'' said Henry, who is on an Asian promotional tour for sporting goods manufacturer Reebok.
Although the French star is reluctant to talk about his future other than his next media event, there seems to be more than enough people doing the talking, as the rumors linking him to Barcelona grow louder on a daily basis.
According to a recent report by Spanish daily Marca, Barcelona offered to swap striker Samuel Eto'o plus $33.6 million (around 35 billion won) for Henry, who they have been targeting for months. The report also said that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had already agreed to the deal.
Henry had been expressing frustrations about the directions of his club following a disappointing, fourth-place finish in the Premier League last season. In a news conference in Beijing earlier this week, he called for the Gunners to acquire more seasoned veterans to compliment the team's many young players.
This time around, Henry was less specific in assessing the team's needs, choosing only the right words in saying that the growth of young players alone could predict that the club is headed for better days.
However, his answer to the question on who he thought was his best attacking partner ever at Arsenal may have hinted towards his truer feelings. ^``That was an easy question. Dennis Bergkamp,'' he said.
After signing with Arsenal in 1999, Henry established himself among the Premiership's top attackers, becoming the Gunners' all-time leading scorer with over 200 goals. However, a series of injuries prevented him from performing at his top level last season, although he managed to score ten goals.
Henry has won two league titles with Arsenal and three FA Cups. With France, he won the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000. Henry has been twice nominated for the FIFA World Player of the Year, and has twice received the Barclays Premiership player of the season award.