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Arsenal legend Thierry Henry set to complete sensational return to former club on two-month loan deal
The 34-year-old striker is expected to make his debut in the FA Cup clash against Leeds on January 9 amid reports he will wear the No.12 shirt during his temporary stay
30 Dec 2011 08:33:00
By Greg Stobart
Arsenal are expecting to complete a two-month loan deal for club legend Thierry Henry within the next 48 hours and the striker is set to make his debut in the FA Cup clash against Leeds United on January 9.
The Gunners are understood to have reached an agreement with the 34-year-old during talks this week and will now seek to ratify the deal with the Frenchman's club, the New York Red Bulls, and MLS.
The Red Bulls have shown no indication of wanting to block the two-month move but are understood to be waiting for a final agreement on the insurance policy before definitively allowing the deal to go through.
Henry has told Arsenal officials he is desperate to return to the club he left for Barcelona in 2007, with the Londoners ready to pay all of his £70,000-a-week salary once the January transfer window opens on Sunday.
Sources close to the deal are at pains to insist that nothing has been signed just yet, but a return to Arsenal is increasingly looking like a formality. Reports on Friday suggested Henry will wear the No.12 shirt in his second spell at the club due to the fact his old No.14 shirt is taken by Theo Walcott.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made his move for Henry after deciding he needed cover when Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh go to the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
Wenger told reporters on Friday that the deal "will certainly happen" but was not yet completed. He added that the player's experience and quality could prove pivotal.
"He knows the club, can help the players and I know one thing: it can only be positive," he said.
Henry will provide support for captain Robin van Persie in attack and is likely to be eligible for seven Premier League fixtures, plus FA Cup matches and the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League last 16 tie with AC Milan.
Wenger added: "When Robin and Thierry play together we will do very well."
Henry has been training with Arsenal for the past month during the MLS off-season and impressed Wenger sufficiently with his form and fitness for his compatriot to decide to make a move, though the manager has said "he needs two good weeks' work" and "is here to help, not suddenly be main a player".
He will have to return to New York for the start of the new MLS season in March.
Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading scorer, having netted 226 times in eight years after joining from Juventus in 1999. He is still idolised by the fans and the club recently unveiled a statue of him outside the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal are expecting to complete a two-month loan deal for club legend Thierry Henry within the next 48 hours and the striker is set to make his debut in the FA Cup clash against Leeds United on January 9.
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The Gunners are understood to have reached an agreement with the 34-year-old during talks this week and will now seek to ratify the deal with the Frenchman's club, the New York Red Bulls, and MLS.
The Red Bulls have shown no indication of wanting to block the two-month move but are understood to be waiting for a final agreement on the insurance policy before definitively allowing the deal to go through.
Henry has told Arsenal officials he is desperate to return to the club he left for Barcelona in 2007, with the Londoners ready to pay all of his £70,000-a-week salary once the January transfer window opens on Sunday.
Sources close to the deal are at pains to insist that nothing has been signed just yet, but a return to Arsenal is increasingly looking like a formality. Reports on Friday suggested Henry will wear the No.12 shirt in his second spell at the club due to the fact his old No.14 shirt is taken by Theo Walcott.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger made his move for Henry after deciding he needed cover when Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh go to the Africa Cup of Nations next month.
Wenger told reporters on Friday that the deal "will certainly happen" but was not yet completed. He added that the player's experience and quality could prove pivotal.
"He knows the club, can help the players and I know one thing: it can only be positive," he said.
Henry will provide support for captain Robin van Persie in attack and is likely to be eligible for seven Premier League fixtures, plus FA Cup matches and the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League last 16 tie with AC Milan.
Wenger added: "When Robin and Thierry play together we will do very well."
Henry has been training with Arsenal for the past month during the MLS off-season and impressed Wenger sufficiently with his form and fitness for his compatriot to decide to make a move, though the manager has said "he needs two good weeks' work" and "is here to help, not suddenly be main a player".
He will have to return to New York for the start of the new MLS season in March.
Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading scorer, having netted 226 times in eight years after joining from Juventus in 1999. He is still idolised by the fans and the club recently unveiled a statue of him outside the Emirates Stadium.
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
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| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
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Goal.com Poll
Poll runs from 30 Dec 2011 to 31 Dec 2011
Poll runs from 30 Dec 2011 to 31 Dec 2011
Is Thierry Henry returning to Arsenal a good idea?
Yes - he is a Gunners legend and can improve the team
70.5%
Not sure - it depends if he can still produce the goods
21.49%
No - he is past his best and the team doesn't need him
8.02%
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