ARSENAL legend Thierry Henry has surprisingly mentioned a former Nigeria international as one of the two toughest players he ever played against.
Henry, who is Arsenal’s record goal scorer, named Taribo West as his most difficult direct opponent ever.
The Frenchman came up against the former Super Eagles centre-back in Ligue 1 when they played for Monaco and Auxerre respectively.
Henry, who won the 1998 World Cup with France as well as multiple Premier League titles with Arsenal, also namechecked former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes as a difficult opponent.
Henry was speaking on CBS Sports’ ‘In The Mixer’ show during Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League matches.“Toughest as in direct opponent? Or just a guy you hated to play against? Paul Scholes. For direct opponent, I would go back in the days and say Taribo West,” the former Monaco, Arsenal and Barcelona forward said.
“Because (at Auxerre), they did man-marking. He followed you everywhere, even in the dressing room.”
Taribo, now 47, played for Auxerre between 1993 and 1997, winning the Coupe de France twice before leaving for Inter Milan, with whom he won the 1997/1998 UEFA Cup title.
The no-nonsense defender was also a prominent member of the Nigeria squad that won Africa’s first-ever Olympic football goal in Atlanta in 1996.
Scholes is one of Manchester United’s famous ‘Class of ’92’ academy graduates who formed the backbone of Sir Alex Ferguson’s success in the Premier League and UEFA Champions League in the 1990s and 2000s.
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