Henry seals return to Arsenal

Thierry Henry has completed his return to Arsenal, signing on a short-term loan deal from Major League Soccer's New York Red Bulls.

The move to bring back the 34-year-old former France international, who left the Gunners for Barcelona in 2007, had long been expected and he will now be available to face Leeds United in the FA Cup on Monday.

Manager Arsene Wenger told the club's website: "I am very happy. It was my desire and Thierry's desire. We will have Thierry for January and in February. Then he will go back to the United States."

Henry admitted it was "unreal" to be back at Arsenal. He told the club's website: "When it comes to Arsenal my heart will always do the talking.

"Once I knew the plan behind it I was OK with it. I am not coming here to be a hero or prove anything. I am just coming here to help. People have to understand that.

"Marouane [Chamakh] and Gervinho are going to the Africa Cup of Nations, so I was asked to fill in the gap. It is a loan deal and I'll be on the bench most of the time. If I can make the bench that is! The boss has a team here already who are doing something good. I am just going to be part of the squad."

Henry continued: "I want to send a message to the fans of New York Red Bulls as well. I always said I would not play in Europe again.

"But it is hard for me when it comes to Arsenal. I am not coming here for the whole season, I will be back and I want to win the MLS Cup with the Red Bulls. I hope it is a win-win situation where I can help Arsenal and come back fit for the MLS season." 

Wenger wanted Henry experience
Wenger believes Henry's return can only be good for all involved. He said: "You cannot take away from people what they have done, and what he has delivered will stay forever. It can just make the statue a bit bigger. Let us hope he will do that.

"Thierry is a world-class player and even at this club a player of that dimension is always very difficult to find, especially at this period of the season. He can just add something more to the team. Who would turn down a player of his quality?

"We have a good spirit in the side and he will add something more, experience-wise, and on the nervy side as well, when we are under pressure. That is a good addition because he knows the club, he knows the league, and it is only positive."

The Arsenal manager added: "Thierry is like everyone who develops in life, he is more open to people. When you are a young striker you are more focused on yourself and today, what he can give to others is of a higher level than he could do five or six years ago.

"Thierry is in a position where has done it all and is under less pressure than five or six years ago. We want him to perform. I want him to help the team and do well. I don't even have to say a word because he will want to do that himself."

View the original article here

Van Persie proud to equal Henry tally

Arsenal striker Robin Van Persie has revealed his pride at equalling Thierry Henry's club record for the most Premier League goals in a calendar year. But the prolific Van Persie is adamant helping Arsenal be successful is more important than any personal glory.

The Dutchman has scored 34 times in 2011 and has two matches left this year to surpass the all-time Premier League record of 36 goals by Alan Shearer in 1995. Van Persie, who equalled Henry's tally with his penalty in the win at Aston Villa, said: "It is a big honour to equal Thierry's record because he is probably the best player Arsenal ever had. To achieve what he did in a year is really special. It makes me proud.

"I think it has helped that I haven't missed a single Premier League game and featured for 90 minutes in most of them. When you have a good run, and you feel fresh and fit, you try things, you take more risks here and there than, for example, if you are just coming back from injury. You always need a couple of games (to get fully sharp) when you're back from injury.

"As a striker I think it is really important to have a go. If you look at my performances, I take more risks now because I know with the team behind me I will always get more chances. It's not that I only get one chance normally, I always get one, two, three, sometimes four chances in a game. That sort of tells me that I can take a risk here and there."

But Van Persie stressed: "It (the scoring records) is not my main target. The main target is to win games and to help my team out and to have a good run. After losing to Manchester City, it is always really important to bounce back after a defeat. Great teams do bounce back and that's what we had to do at Villa on Wednesday. Now we have Wolves on Tuesday, then afterwards QPR both at home, so hopefully we can have a good run again."

Van Persie is also adamant he takes pleasure from creating as well as scoring goals for the Gunners, for whom he has netted 47 times in 55 games in all competitions during 2011. He said: "I want to help my team, I want to help them with assists, help them with goals, help them with good football.

"In some games that means holding the ball when we're struggling. For me it is not just scoring. Football is more for me than just scoring the ball in the back of the net. I think football can give you much more than to score. For example at Villa I put a nice pass through to Aaron Ramsey. I do enjoy that as much as a goal."

View the original article here

Ferdinand salutes Scholes and Henry

Rio Ferdinand is delighted two of his top five all-time Premier League players are treading the boards on the biggest stage once more. After making his mark on a second debut for Arsenal, Thierry Henry was followed on to the scoring chart by Paul Scholes on Saturday, when the veteran midfielder set Manchester United on their way to victory over Bolton Wanderers.

The Gunners and the Red Devils will square off at the Emirates on Sunday, and Sir Alex Ferguson's men know they cannot afford to slip any further behind title favourites Manchester City. The build-up is bound to include memories of great deeds from Henry and Scholes, and Ferdinand is aware there are plenty.

"It is great to see two of the best players come back," said the veteran defender. "If I was going to name a top five list of players to have played in the Premier League, Scholes and Henry would be in there.

"It's fantastic for Arsenal, of course, just as it is for us to have Scholes back. Hopefully he's going to help us get over the line and win another couple of trophies."

Sir Alex Ferguson reintroduced Scholes to his squad for the FA Cup tie against City without informing any of his playing staff. Ferdinand did try to unearth the information, but, typically, the former England playmaker was not forthcoming with any details.

"I spoke to Scholesy a few weeks beforehand and asked him if he was coming back but he doesn't give anything away," he said. "When he met up with the squad the day before the City game, I asked him again if he was in the squad but he said he was coming to watch as part of the staff. I had an inkling he might be back though because he trained the day before with us, but it wasn't until the kit man told me before the game that he had brought his gear that I knew for certain."

Scholes' return has been greeted with mixed feelings, with some arguing it is a regressive step for a club trying to win a record 20th title. The 37-year-old's two performances so far have been patchy, although he retains a calmness in possession that Ferdinand does not feel many could exude after six months out of the game.

"There are only a handful of players on the planet who could do it," said Ferdinand. "Iniesta, Xavi, Messi. They are the type of players who can come in at any time and look as though they could just play football at the drop of a hat at the top level. The game is so natural to them."

And having spent so long as a team-mate of Scholes, Ferdinand is acutely aware of the spin-offs that will benefit the younger members of Ferguson's squad.

"It's fantastic for the club and the team," he said. "More importantly, for the young players learning their trade - especially our midfielders - they can see a top player at work.

"His experience is invaluable, as well as his calmness on the pitch and his know-how of the game. When you've got wingers like ours and forwards who want to get in behind the defenders and attack teams, a player like him who can put the ball on a sixpence is great."

Ferdinand, who had been an injury doubt for the trip to Arsenal, also declared that he will be at Ferguson's disposal for the game.

View the original article here