Each year, Thierry Henry finds a way to pop up at Arsenal. In 2014, it will be the Londoners who come to him.
On Thursday, the New York Red Bulls announced that they will face English Premier League club Arsenal FC on Saturday, July 26, at Red Bull Arena (5 pm ET). The match pits current New York captain and legendary Arsenal forward Henry against the club where he scored a record 226 goals in all competitions.
“It goes without saying that hosting Arsenal at Red Bull Arena will be a special moment for me both on a professional and personal level," Henry said in a statement. "As I have said before, the club is in my heart and this will be another terrific chapter in my relationship with Arsenal Football Club. Along with my teammates, I am excited to host Arsenal in New York – one of the greatest cities in the world – and hope that Red Bulls and Arsenal fans will be able to enjoy the match."
The game will be Arsenal's only match on their visit to the United States. The Arsenal first team last visited the United States for an exhibition match with Independiente of Argentina in Miami, Florida in 1989. It will be Arsenal’s second encounter with the Red Bulls in three years, following a 1-1 draw at the 2011 Emirates Cup.
“We are delighted to be visiting the United States for the first time in 25 years," Arsenal CEO and former MLS executive Ivan Gazidis said. "We enjoy fantastic support there and in particular in New York so we are looking forward to providing our fans with an opportunity to watch the team play live.
"The fact that Thierry is the New York Red Bulls’ club captain makes this a particularly special fixture, and everyone involved with the club is looking forward to it.”
