Former Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman believes Thierry Henry has what it takes to become a manager. The much-loved shot-stopping icon legend spoke to the Islington Gazette’s Gunners reporter Layth Yousif at a launch event for the Arsenal Legends v Real Madrid Legends in aid of the club’s charitable foundation. Read on for more.

David Seaman, known as safe hands throughout his career with Arsenal and England, thinks his former team-mate Thierry Henry is ready to become a manager.

The net minder who played for the North London giants between 1990 and 2003 winning a raft of trophies – including three league titles, four FA Cups, the European Cup Winners Cup and the League Cup – hailed the talented French striker’s knowledge and thirst for the game.

Speaking at the launch event of Arsenal Legends v Real Madrid Legends to be played at the Emirates on Saturday, September 8 in aid of the club’s charitable foundation, Seaman is adamant Henry is ready to become a top boss.

He said: “It is a big step, but he has seriously has got all the knowledge. We shall just have to wait and see if he can transfer that into a team.

“He will gain respect straight away because of what he has achieved in the game, so that won’t be a problem.

“It will just be what can he do as a manager? He will be judged but he is more than capable of it.”

The Gunners record goalscorer with 228 goals has left his role as a Sky Sports pundit explaining that he was determined to fulfil his long-term ambition to become a football boss.

The 40-year-old Henry was Belgium’s No2 during the World Cup as the Red Devils reached the semi-finals but is now hungry to prove himself as a No1.

Henry helped guide Belgium to two wins over England as Martinez’s men ended the tournament on a high after beating Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions 2-0 in the third/fourth place play-off.

Fellow Frenchman Jeremie Aliadiere, who played with the Gunners striker during his six year spell in North London between 2001 to 2007 is another former colleague who believes the inspirational Henry can excel in management.

Speaking at the same event as Seaman, the 35-year-old was asaked if he thinks Henry can make it as a manager, saying “For sure.

“He knows everything about football. You could ask him anything about what happened in 1970 and he would know.

“He just lives football, he breathes football, he watches every game he can watch.

“He has such a passion for the game that it doesn’t surprise me he will become a manager.”

Having played under the long-serving Arsene Wenger Aliadiere believes Henry is already similar to the former Arsenal boss.

Henry won two Premier League titles and two FA Cups and is now looking to emulate the success his former manager achieved in the first decade of his time in chage of the Gunners.

Aliadiere agreed there were comparisons between Wenger and Henry, as he recalled: “Aything we were discussing with the boss [Wenger] he always had the answer before anybody else.

He always knew that that player had played for so-and-so and transferred at that time.

“He just knew everything, he was like a football book.”

Arsenal Legends v Real Madrid Legends, Emirates Stadium, Saturday, September 8, kick-off 2pm.

To buy tickets visit arsenal.com.