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Arsenal's Robin van Persie: ‘For Thierry Henry to come back is so brave and I hope we can play together’
The Gunners skipper says he is full of admiration for the Frenchman’s willingness to come back despite having nothing to prove, and says he has been "unbelievable" in training
Jan 2, 2012 6:53:00 AM
By Liam Twomey
Andy Marlin
Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has hailed Thierry Henry’s bravery in deciding to return to the Emirates Stadium for a two-month loan spell.
"He got a statue here last month and he has proved everything to us,” the Dutchman told reporters. “For him to come back is so brave. I really like that.
Henry, now 34, was asked by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to come back to the club at which he is already the all-time record goalscorer in order to provide back-up to Van Persie in the absence of Africa Cup of Nations-bound duo Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh.
Van Persie believes the fact Henry opted to accept Wenger’s offer despite having nothing left to prove is a mark of the man and his love for the game.
"He wants to help us out. He wants to help the club he loves. Only positives," said Van Persie. "He has nothing to prove. He broke every single record at Arsenal - he won everything at Arsenal."
He added, "Some people might question: 'why do you do it? You have proved everything already? But there is only one answer. That is because he loves the game so much that he just wants to play."
Henry’s remit will be very much to act as understudy to the prolific Van Persie, but the Gunners skipper admits he is excited by the possibility of teaming up with his old strike partner once again.
"I am looking forward to it and I hope we can play together,” he added. “He is unbelievable. Even in training.
"He had a couple of sessions and - I don't want to put too much pressure on him - but he is looking right up there. He is looking very good. Honestly.
"It is fantastic. I asked him a couple of weeks ago. I had a little cheeky question and asked whether he was willing to come back. Everyone has been working on him over the last couple of weeks.
"It will be good for everyone. It is a massive joy to play and train with him. I am excited too."
Meanwhile, Van Persie’s teammate Mikel Arteta thinks Henry’s presence in the dressing room and on the training ground can only benefit the team.
"I've always been a big admirer of him, when he was playing here and at Barcelona,” the Spaniard said. “It's great to have him around with his experience and his talent - I'm sure he's going to be really helpful."
Arteta added, "He's putting his name on the line yet again and I think that's brave. He has the quality and the talent for sure.
"He got a statue here last month and he has proved everything to us,” the Dutchman told reporters. “For him to come back is so brave. I really like that.
Henry, now 34, was asked by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to come back to the club at which he is already the all-time record goalscorer in order to provide back-up to Van Persie in the absence of Africa Cup of Nations-bound duo Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh.
Van Persie believes the fact Henry opted to accept Wenger’s offer despite having nothing left to prove is a mark of the man and his love for the game.
"He wants to help us out. He wants to help the club he loves. Only positives," said Van Persie. "He has nothing to prove. He broke every single record at Arsenal - he won everything at Arsenal."
He added, "Some people might question: 'why do you do it? You have proved everything already? But there is only one answer. That is because he loves the game so much that he just wants to play."
Henry’s remit will be very much to act as understudy to the prolific Van Persie, but the Gunners skipper admits he is excited by the possibility of teaming up with his old strike partner once again.
"I am looking forward to it and I hope we can play together,” he added. “He is unbelievable. Even in training.
"He had a couple of sessions and - I don't want to put too much pressure on him - but he is looking right up there. He is looking very good. Honestly.
"It is fantastic. I asked him a couple of weeks ago. I had a little cheeky question and asked whether he was willing to come back. Everyone has been working on him over the last couple of weeks.
"It will be good for everyone. It is a massive joy to play and train with him. I am excited too."
Meanwhile, Van Persie’s teammate Mikel Arteta thinks Henry’s presence in the dressing room and on the training ground can only benefit the team.
"I've always been a big admirer of him, when he was playing here and at Barcelona,” the Spaniard said. “It's great to have him around with his experience and his talent - I'm sure he's going to be really helpful."
Arteta added, "He's putting his name on the line yet again and I think that's brave. He has the quality and the talent for sure.
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