Henry's return to Arsenal sets stage for purists' dream tie

Thierry Henry will make an emotional return to Arsenal for Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final, but the Barcelona striker could be forced to surrender the spotlight at the Emirates Stadium to his team-mate Lionel Messi.

Ever since the reigning European champions were paired with Henry's former club, fans of the beautiful game have been licking their lips in anticipation of a rare meeting between two sides whose commitment to the sport's purist principles is unmatched across the world.

Henry, who joined Barca in 2007, will be one of the most recognisable faces amongst a galaxy of stars in north London and he is guaranteed a rapturous reception from the Arsenal faithful.

But the France star, who won two Premier League titles, three FA Cups and scored a club-record 226 goals in 369 games for Arsenal, is far from certain to start after spending much of his time on the bench recently. It is a prospect that doesn't unduly concern him.

"I'm not saying I won't try to fight or whatever because that's the way the game is. But I don't want to play against Arsenal," Henry said.

"Before the draw I said that I did not want to face Arsenal. To return home is strange and even more so in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"I'm very emotional, but also staying calm. It will be different because I spent seven years at Highbury and one at the Emirates and to see the people, the fans and the other employees at the club will be very strange." Like David Beckham, who struggled to make an impact as AC Milan lost on his reunion with Manchester United in the last round, Henry could find himself relegated to a sideshow anyway if Messi maintains his remarkable form during the two matches.

At times over the last eight months, the mesmerising Argentina forward has seemed to be staging his own goal of the season competition.

He already has 34 goals this term, including a recent stunning effort against Real Zaragoza, and he single-handedly destroyed Stuttgart as the holders cruised into the last 16.

As if that wasn't enough to give Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger sleepless nights, Messi believes Arsenal's open style of play will allow him even more space to flourish. LONDON, Tuesday (AFP)