Arsene: Henry is Gunner return

 

ARSENE WENGER has confirmed Thierry Henry is on the verge of a dramatic return to Arsenal.

 

Henry will sign a two-month loan deal with the Gunners if insurance agreements can be worked out with New York Red Bulls.

The Frenchman has been training with Wenger's men during the MLS off-season and is not required to return to the United States until March. 

And Wenger admits the legendary striker would be a welcome addition to his squad with Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh heading to the African Nations Cup.

The Arsenal boss said: "For two months it certainly will happen.

"I don't take care of the agreement and the insurance and that is not completed.

"At the moment we cannot announce anything because all the paperwork is not done.

"To cover for two months is ideal. He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch.

"He has exceptional talent and is a very intelligent man, it can only be positive."

Henry, 34, could feature in seven Premier League games, including key encounters against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 clash against AC Milan.

If agreement is reached with Red Bulls, he would be in line to start his second spell with the club in the FA Cup third-round tie against Leeds on January 9.

Wenger added: "It was my idea because I decide and he was happy with it.

"It was his idea as well to come here but I had to make the decision to do it.

"He is certainly very happy and modest about it as well. He just wants to help us get through a period where we lose two strikers. 

"I don't know when his first game will be. The first game for us is tomorrow against FULHAM and that is the important one.

"He won't be part of that at all. I don't know if he can play against Leeds — we have two massive games before then."

Henry scored 226 times in 370 appearances for the club before moving to Barcelona in June 2007.

But Wenger insists there will be no danger to his legacy, if Henry flops during his short-term return.

He said: "You can never take away from people what they have done, that will remain forever.

"Nobody expects him to be what he was 10 years ago, we just want him to help out.

"I think it is just credit to him to want to be helpful to a club that has given him so much.

"Therefore I feel there is no special pressure to be the player he was before."