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New York Red Bulls forward Thierry Henry will not extend loan at Arsenal
Despite reports stating that Arsenal is interested in extending the French striker's loan, the Red Bulls captain has told head coach Hans Backe that he will be back next week.
Feb 9, 2012 4:31:00 PM
By Alex Labidou
Looking to rebound from a poor 2011 season, the New York Red Bulls will have to figure out some uncertainties in its attack if it expects to compete for the MLS Cup this year.
However, one thing is assured. Star forward Thierry Henry will return from his loan at Arsenal next week, according to Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe.
"When I spoke to him [Henry], he told me that he was 100 percent coming back on February 17," Backe said.
The Red Bulls captain was included in Arsenal's Champions League roster and many expected that his loan might be extended for another three weeks. But Backe says the team hasn't heard anything from Arsenal regarding a possible extension.
"What I know, it's only rumors. I haven't heard anything from them about extending the loan," the coach stated.
Henry went to Arsenal, his former team, on a short-term loan last month, but his return to New York should be a boost to Backe's preparations for the upcoming MLS season.
The club has started its preseason with only one of its first team strikers available in Kenny Cooper, as various circumstances have seen the remainder of its offense away from the team.
Forward Luke Rogers awaits a decision on his work visa which will determine whether or not he can play in Major League Soccer this year and Juan Agudelo spent time away from the team recovering from a right ankle sprain.
Backe expects that Agudelo will also join Henry in the Red Bulls training camp in Arizona next week. Should Rogers be able to play for the club this season, the 59-year-old Swedish coach admits that he will have to figure out how to utilize the team's surplus of forwards. He has acknowledged that the team could see a three-man attack on offense.
Backe explained that he will have to see where Agudelo's fitness is before making a decision to field three strikers.
"He hasn't been training with us because of his injury but that is still a possibility," Backe stated. "We'll see with the number we have [in forwards] in Arizona about him playing a midfield position."
Having had a chance to assess his roster that stronger depth, especially on defense, Backe expects that the Red Bulls should be able to compete for multiple trophies this year.
"We will have a much better depth, no question about it," said Backe. "We should try to go for it all, the Open Cup, the Supporters Shield and the MLS Cup."
However, one thing is assured. Star forward Thierry Henry will return from his loan at Arsenal next week, according to Red Bulls head coach Hans Backe.
"When I spoke to him [Henry], he told me that he was 100 percent coming back on February 17," Backe said.
The Red Bulls captain was included in Arsenal's Champions League roster and many expected that his loan might be extended for another three weeks. But Backe says the team hasn't heard anything from Arsenal regarding a possible extension.
"What I know, it's only rumors. I haven't heard anything from them about extending the loan," the coach stated.
Henry went to Arsenal, his former team, on a short-term loan last month, but his return to New York should be a boost to Backe's preparations for the upcoming MLS season.
The club has started its preseason with only one of its first team strikers available in Kenny Cooper, as various circumstances have seen the remainder of its offense away from the team.
Forward Luke Rogers awaits a decision on his work visa which will determine whether or not he can play in Major League Soccer this year and Juan Agudelo spent time away from the team recovering from a right ankle sprain.
Backe expects that Agudelo will also join Henry in the Red Bulls training camp in Arizona next week. Should Rogers be able to play for the club this season, the 59-year-old Swedish coach admits that he will have to figure out how to utilize the team's surplus of forwards. He has acknowledged that the team could see a three-man attack on offense.
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Backe explained that he will have to see where Agudelo's fitness is before making a decision to field three strikers.
"He hasn't been training with us because of his injury but that is still a possibility," Backe stated. "We'll see with the number we have [in forwards] in Arizona about him playing a midfield position."
Having had a chance to assess his roster that stronger depth, especially on defense, Backe expects that the Red Bulls should be able to compete for multiple trophies this year.
"We will have a much better depth, no question about it," said Backe. "We should try to go for it all, the Open Cup, the Supporters Shield and the MLS Cup."
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