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Thierry Henry loan deal at Arsenal will not be extended, New York Red Bulls boss Hans Backe confirms
The manager of the Frenchman's parent club has confirmed that he will return to the MLS side on February 17, meaning he will miss the north London derby against Tottenham
10-Feb-2012 4:35:00 AM
By Michael Lightfoot
Getty Images
Arsenal striker Thierry Henry will not extend his loan at the club and will be heading back to parent side New York Red Bulls next week, according to boss Hans Backe.
There was hope that the Frenchman would stay beyond February 17 after he was included in the Gunners' Champions League squad but Backe has quashed the rumours.
"When I spoke to him, he told me that he was 100 per cent coming back on February 17," he told reporters.
Many expected Henry to stay for a further three weeks to see him play in the north London derby against Tottenham.
But his manager insists that he will be back in New York ready for the start of the MLS season, adding: "What I know, it's only rumours. I haven't heard anything from them [Arsenal] about extending the loan."
During his brief stint back at Arsenal, the club's all-time leading goalscorer made a dream return by netting the winner in his side's FA Cup third-round victory against Leeds United, before scoring the second goal of his loan spell in the 7-1 demolition of Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.
There was hope that the Frenchman would stay beyond February 17 after he was included in the Gunners' Champions League squad but Backe has quashed the rumours.
"When I spoke to him, he told me that he was 100 per cent coming back on February 17," he told reporters.
Many expected Henry to stay for a further three weeks to see him play in the north London derby against Tottenham.
But his manager insists that he will be back in New York ready for the start of the MLS season, adding: "What I know, it's only rumours. I haven't heard anything from them [Arsenal] about extending the loan."
During his brief stint back at Arsenal, the club's all-time leading goalscorer made a dream return by netting the winner in his side's FA Cup third-round victory against Leeds United, before scoring the second goal of his loan spell in the 7-1 demolition of Blackburn Rovers at the weekend.
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