Thierry Henry's departure to Barcelona is a sad day for the Premier League - and a devastating one for Arsenal.

France striker Henry stands alongside former Manchester United captain Roy Keane as the outstanding operator in a league packed with elite talent.

Add his unique personality to that mix, a character and talent able to unite the most partisan supporters, and there is no doubt English football will be a poorer place without him.

Arsenal fans will feel a sense of apprehension as they weigh up the news of Henry's transfer, having witnessed their team already being pushed to the margins of the title race.

It is a departure filled with sadness, but no bitterness.

Henry has been a loyal servant to Arsenal and they have had the benefit of two titles and three FA Cups over a career spanning 364 games and 226 goals.

The only element of his departure that grates is linking it to the demise of vice-chairman David Dein.

What has football come to when an iconic figure departs a football club citing the demise of a boardroom member as a major factor?

If Dein was Henry's main supply line on the field, or delivered inspirational team talks in the dressing room, then his disquiet might be more understandable.

But as it stands, this sounds more like an excuse than a reason.

This, however, is a side issue and should not taint our memories of a glorious talent and exemplary character.

As Arsenal start life without their talisman, manager Arsene Wenger has plenty to ponder.

Indeed, Henry, in his abdication letter penned for a national newspaper, hinted at uncertainty surrounding Wenger's own future as another reason why he is heading to the Nou Camp.

Despite this, Wenger's continued presence and influence at Arsenal is the major reason their fans can remain optimistic through their despair over Henry's transfer.

Wenger never parts with players unless he feels the time is right - and his judgement has proved uncanny in the past, both from a footballing and financial perspective.

Remember Nicolas Anelka? Remember Emmanuel Petit and Marc Overmars? Remember Patrick Vieira?

All superb players for Arsenal but all sold either when the trouble was too much and the money too good (Anelka) or when they had just passed the peak of their powers (Overmars, Petit and Vieira.)

Wenger may feel, apart from not wanting to deny Henry his chance to try life at Barca, that his best has come and gone.

Maybe he felt it was time to remove the giant shadow Henry cast over the club and his playing colleagues.

Henry cut a tired, uninspired figure last season and was troubled by injury.

Some have already claimed he had his mind on other matters, such as a move away from Arsenal.

This is a slur on a man of integrity as well as ability.

True, Henry looked jaded and burned out, but this was a player who had played constantly and also suffered the psychological blows of losing the two biggests games in football, the 2006 Champions League final and the World Cup final in a space of weeks.

Surely he should be cut some slack on that.

I do not believe Wenger will follow Henry out of the door this summer.

As the Americans say, you could take Wenger's word to the bank - and he always honours contracts.

And while he is at Arsenal, his eye will always be on the ball.

Wenger will not have sanctioned Henry's transfer without having alternatives at the front of his mind.

He has done it before and, such is his genius, it is a gamble to suggest he will not do it again.

The notion of Wenger's departure may be an even greater fear for Arsenal's fans but, while he is still there, the club is in safe hands.

Henry may be about to go but Arsenal fans still have Wenger to rely on - and their trust in him has rarely been misplaced.