Thierry Henry Comments on Rumours He Could Replace Arsene Wenger at Arsenal

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has said he doesn't know whether he's ready to replace incumbent manager Arsene Wenger, suggesting it's a difficult subject to discuss.

Wenger's contract at the Emirates Stadium is set to expire at the end of the campaign, and as a result, there has been plenty of speculation about a departure. Henry, Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer, has been tipped to succeed the Frenchman, although he stated it's not a topic he's comfortable talking about.

"It doesn't depend on me," he told Canal Plus (h/t ESPN FC). He continued:

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There are things to be respected. It's my club of heart, but I do not have any right. My name is quoted to succeed Wenger. I hear that. But it's hard for me to talk about it. I have a lot of respect for everything the coach has done. Am I ready? I don't know and nobody knows, but I also need to learn my job.

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Henry is an assistant manager with Belgium, working under Roberto Martinez.

If the Arsenal hierarchy were looking for a popular appointment once Wenger departs, the 39-year-old would be it. Henry dazzled during his time with the Gunners, scoring an impressive 228 goals in his eight-year stint.

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Since his retirement in 2014, Henry has assumed a role as a pundit on Sky Sports, and he was recently critical of the Arsenal team following their 3-1 surrender to West Bromwich Albion.

The Guardian's Sachin Nakrani was impressed with the Frenchman's scathing assessment:

Still, impressing as a player, a coach and an analyst doesn't necessarily guarantee success as a manager. Especially when it comes to replacing a figure like Wenger.

In 21 years with the north London club, the coach has come to define Arsenal. Since his arrival, the Gunners have always looked to play with style. While that swagger meshed with silverware earlier in Wenger's tenure, the club has struggled to challenge for the top honours under his guidance since going unbeaten en route to the Premier League title in 2003-04.

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And while a lot of supporters would be happy to see Wenger exit the club, his departure will leave a void at the Emirates Stadium.

Per OptaJoe, he's by far the longest-serving manager in English football:

Appointing Henry would be a big risk for Arsenal given his lack of experience. Replacing Wenger will be difficult for any manager in world football; for a man who has not taken charge of a single game in his career, it'd be an almost impossible ask.

According to John Cross of the Daily Mirror, Wenger is set to stay at Arsenal for two more years. If the Gunners do envisage Henry as his successor, they'd be smart to get him back at the club during that time.