The Kroenke family want Thierry Henry to be the man to succeed Arsene Wenger, our Football Insider Graeme Bailey has learned.

Josh Kroenke – the son of the club’s major shareholder Stan – is the driving force behind the push for Henry, and he himself is a board member at the club and an increasingly powerful figure within the corridors of power at The Emirates.

He wants Arsenal legend Henry in charge, if and when Wenger leaves –  which could very well be this summer with his current contract due to expire at the end of the season.

Our Football Insider Graeme Bailey has been told that the Kroenke’s have singled out Henry as the man they would like to take-over from his former boss and they are pushing hard to make sure he is the route they and the rest of the board take when it comes to finding a successor for Wenger.

Henry is indeed the choice of the Kroenke family

“I have been told from good sources that Henry is indeed the choice of the Kroenke family, although that does not mean 100% he will take-over but it is a mighty big thumbs up from the owners and a huge pointer to who the club are favouring,” Bailey confirmed to TheGamblingTimes.com.

“Henry himself, I understand, would be only too happy to step into the role, although he would likely have someone alongside him – and we have heard whispers that Roberto Martinez, who he is working with in his Belgium role now – could be that man.

“This would be a very interesting option for Arsenal, and whilst some may have reservations about his lack of experience – appointing such a legend would surely be an exciting proposition for most.”

Ladies and Gentlemen I give you my new edit….
The one and only Thierry Henry ?Legend ?✊️?@ThierryHenry @Arsenal #WeAreArsenal pic.twitter.com/CaWZAznFgt

— ?⚪️Gooner Kev⚪️? (@kevdavis736) March 4, 2017

Henry has never been in charge of a club, but he is cutting his teeth in coaching with the Belgian national squad, where he is regularly working with some world class talent such as Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne to name but two.

The news that Henry could be the news boss has caught some by surprise and indeed many bookmakers are still listing him as big as 25/1 to be the next boss of Arsenal.

We spoke with BetVictor spokesman Jack Milner who told us:  “It would be a massive call for Arsenal to go with someone with any experience, but it would probably appeal to the fans.”

Henry, who is currently working for Sky as a pundit, is a true Arsenal legend and has a statue outside The Emirates following an eight-year spell at the club which saw him score 226 goals in 369 games for the club.

Unconvinced

To get an Arsenal perspective we also spoke with Mark King of Gooner Ramble, who is not convinced Henry would be the best option.

“Thierry as next Arsenal manager? Pretty sure that the Toon Army felt that Shearer may be the man to rescue them. How’d that turn out? Whilst it would be a mainly popular choice, it would be based purely on his legendary status amongst the fans rather than any proof of coaching ability, but most will look further than that to judge if a sensible move. Of course sceptics may say that Kroenke won’t be paying him £8m a year and as a young coach, may be more inclined to toe the party line than a bigger, more experienced name,” King told TheGamblingTimes.com.

“Some will point to Pep at Barca and Zidane at Real to show how it can work. They conveniently forget that Zidane had 18 months in charge of Castilla in Segunda and had been closely involved with Mourinho & Ancelotti when they were the managers. Pep also had time coaching the Barca B team. Henry has done some coaching with the Arsenal Youth set up and as assistant to Martinez at Belgium, but not sure it’s comparable. I think Henry is some way behind Patrick Vieira when it comes to experience and a CV to be considered seriously.”