Former Arsenal Superstar Thierry Henry Names Super Eagles Legend Among His Two Toughest Opponents

Former Arsenal Superstar Thierry Henry Names Super Eagles Legend Among His Two Toughest Opponents

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:53 PM
  • Thierry Henry admitted that the former Super Eagles defender remains one of the toughest defenders he ever faced
  • Taribo West had spells in France and Italy during his playing days and former Arsenal star Henry claims the Nigerian was very tough
  • According to Henry, former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes also showed brilliance, saying he does not like playing against him

Former France international and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has named ex-Nigerian defender Taribo West as one of his two toughest opponents, Mirror reports.

Henry also named former England star Paul Scholes as the other though opponent he faced in his football career before he returned.

The Frenchman was a dominant figure in the Premier League, but before then he had spells with clubs in Italy as well as in his native France.

Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry names Taribo West as one of his toughest opponents. Photo: Stephen Pond
Source: Getty Images

During his time with the Gunners, Henry guided the north London club to league titles in 2004 and 2004, a time Manchester United has a flurry of talents under Alex Ferguson.

Scholes who was at the time one of the best midfielders in the world featured for the Red Devils and scored several goals against Arsenal.

Although Henry did not face off one-on-one with Scholes, the former Arsenal man still appreciated the midfielder’s brilliance.

He was asked to name the defender that he disliked so much for giving him a tough time on the pitch and despite facing the likes of Jaap Stam, John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Sergio Ramos, henry chose Nigeria’s Taribo West.

The former Super Eagles defender featured for French club Auxerre, Italian sides Inter Milan and AC Milan during the 1990s, before enjoying a brief loan spell in England with Derby in 2000.

Henry said on CBSS Sports Golazo via GOAL:

“Toughest as indirect opponent? Or just a guy you don’t like to play against? Paul Scholes.
“For direct opponent, I would go back in the days - Taribo West.
“Because [at Auxerre], they did man-marking. He followed you everywhere, even in the dressing room.”

West's exploits in France earned him a move to Italy when Serie A was regarded as the best league in the world.

Former Super Eagles star Taiye Taiwo recalls life in secondary school

Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that former Nigerian defender Taiye Taiwo recalls life in secondary school in the Alimosho area of Lagos state while grooving to popular Fuji artist Pasuma.

The 36-year-old who was the third-best player at the 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup in the Netherlands was all smiles miming and making dance moves to the song.

Taiwo got pumped up as the artist hailed the 'Centre of Excellence' where he got his primary and secondary schools education.

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Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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