Christian Benteke has stated that he was an Arsenal fan growing up because of Thierry Henry, as he told Sky Sports.
The Crystal Palace striker added that Henry was his ‘idol’ and it’s also a ‘great feeling’ having Arsenal legend, Patrick Vieira, as his boss.
Benteke probably isn’t the only player in Palace’s ranks, who used to rep the colours of Arsenal because Wilfried Zaha, and perhaps more, are in that boat as well.
That’s when the Gunners were at their peak, including going unbeaten and lifting the English Premier League title – the last time they have tasted that type of success.
Nonetheless, this is what Benteke had to say about Arsenal, Henry and now working with Vieira.
“Directly yes (watching footage of Vieira playing on YouTube) because I was an Arsenal fan because of Thierry Henry,” said Benteke.
“It’s a great feeling (having Arsenal legend Vieira as his boss). But, for me, it was more about Thierry Henry because he was my idol.
“When I first met him in Belgium that was the first time I felt impressed by a man.”
After the international break, Arsenal will travel to Selhurst Park for a very tricky Premier League encounter.
This is going to be one of the tougher games for Mikel Arteta to deal with because they have had trouble against Palace before.
Not only that, Vieira and his players dented Manchester City’s Premier League title chances last time out and they may well have their say in the race for Champions League football.
Arsenal are the ones in command, with Manchester United and Tottenham on their tail.
West Ham were in that mix, but their defeat at Spurs before the break has probably kicked them out of the top-four race.
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