The power and the fury

As if leading Arsenal FC in their first UEFA Champions League final was not motivation enough, Thierry Henry has extra reason for wanting to shine at the Stade de France tonight.

Parisian childhood
The Arsenal captain was brought up in the Paris suburb of Les Ulis in the Essone district, and says his childhood experiences there - and some influential advice - moulded him into the player he is today. "Everything comes from my dad," he said. "The way I play, my desire, my commitment, everything is from him. He always taught me never to be satisfied which is why, even when I've scored goals and played well, I always play things down and think about the next game. That's my philosophy and that's why I've reached where I am and why I'm playing the football I am right now. The way I grew up definitely helped me to become what I am. That desire and anger - in the right way - drives me always."

Anger management
Henry believes harnessing that anger is partially responsible for his success at club and international level, explaining: "People are scared of anger but sometimes you have to mention it. [Wayne] Rooney is a good example - you can see the anger in his eyes. Sometimes people criticise me for the way I look on the pitch, but I'm not scared of anger or using it to drive you on in a positive way. It's something you need to master, without that anger I wouldn't be the same player. I'm not afraid to use it. Anything that was difficult for me, any difficult situations in the game, I am upset with myself but I then try to turn it around in the next game to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Street education
The 28-year-old draws parallels with two other sports to illustrate his point that maintaining hunger is a fundamental requirement at the game's highest echelon. "If a boxer doesn't have that anger any more and he gets in the ring, he's dead. I love basketball and Michael Jordan was perhaps the best player there will ever be, but you never saw him smiling on the court. If you don't have that anger factor any more you might as well stay home."

Winners' hallmark
Henry believes all great players have that desire but demonstrate it in different ways, adding: "People talk about Ronaldinho smiling but I can tell you, inside there are no smiles. You always get trouble when you play on the street, that's why you get tough and why I always say there's no better school than the street. When I see Rooney and Ronaldinho, I see players who, in different ways, are from the street. You cannot teach that, you need to have that in you."

Strive for perfection
The French international admits his relentless search for perfection is what pushes him on, saying: "You can never reach perfection but that is what I'm trying to do because it's the only way you can progress. No one is perfect but trying to reach it will keep you on your toes. I am happy but there is a difference between that and being satisfied. If we win on Wednesday I'll be more than happy but you can never be satisfied - when you are, it means you relax. I will be happy but I want to carry on." Arsenal will hope Henry's boundless will to win makes his homecoming a satisfactory experience, for the club if not the captain.