Henry ready to rejoin Arsenal for a month

Thierry Henry is Arsenal's record goalscorer. (FILE)

Published Tuesday, December 20, 2011

By Staff

Thierry Henry is poised to "make a surprise" to Arsenal nearly five years after walking out on the Gunners for Barcelona, according to The Times.

Manager Arsene Wenger has remained non-committal on the prospect of re-signing Arsenal legend Thierry Henry this January.

Wenger has previously ruled out the possibility of Henry appearing for the north London side again, but it appears he has changed his tune and is mulling over a possible loan deal.

It has been reported that Henry will likely sign a one-month deal with Arsenal so that they have adequate back-up to number one strikeman Robin Van Persie in the New Year.

The 34-year-old French striker scored a club record 174 goals in 254 appearances during his eight glorious years in north London, and, according to the Times, Henry is ready to resume his goal-scoring feats next month.

It's been an open secret that Henry has been training with the Arsenal squad in recent weeks as he keeps himself in shape ahead of the resumption of the Major League Soccer season in March.

The club's record goalscorer and proud subject of a statue built in his honour outside the Emirates stadium has been training with the first team since the New York Red Bulls' season came to a close.

Although Wenger told reporters that he had not thought about signing 34-year-old Henry, he refused to completely rule out the prospect.

“I haven’t even investigated that. I cannot tell you even if there is a chance because I haven’t even made any approach, not to him nor his club. I do not always master all my thoughts so it has to come through my brain at some stage but I haven’t been concrete on the case.”

Pushed further on his plans for the January window, Wenger skirted around the subject of the French striker.

“I don’t know yet. That was an honest answer,” Wenger said. “You want to speak of Thierry Henry and I can understand that but at the moment he just practises with us.”

Henry plays for the New York Red Bulls and The Times says that with Arsenal strikers Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho both involved in next month's Africa Cup of Nations, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will strike a deal with the Bulls.

Henry has become the subject of transfer talk, particularly following the loan move Everton have agreed with LA Galaxy for their striker Landon Donovan.

Assuming Henry does sign for Arsenal, he'll be involved in four league games in January - including the visit of Manchester United to the Emirates on January 22 - as the Gunners look to get back on track following their defeat to Manchester City.

Arsenal could tempt Henry back with the promise of a short-term loan to cover the absences of other forwards, before allowing him to return to the US in time for the new season.

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