Henry open to loan return
Arsenal hero says he would find it hard to refuse a third spell in north London
MOONLIGHTING Arsenal hero Thierry Henry has hinted at another loan spell with the Gunners next season, after scoring the winner on his Premier League farewell.
Club record goalscorer Henry, who will return to New York Red Bulls after Wednesday’s Champions League clash at AC Milan, admits he would always be willing to return.
“You can never say never, right?” he said. “You need to ask the boss. I don’t know. I have always said it, it’s kind of difficult for me to say no. If they need some help one day, I will be around.”
The Frenchman, 34, climbed off the bench to score the winner as Arsenal came from behind in the last quarter of an hour to beat Sunderland 2-1 on Saturday. It was his last league appearance of a six-week loan spell that is due to end this week, after his Major League Soccer bosses refused to grant an extension.
And Henry (right) admitted the injury–time goal – the third of this visit and his 229th overall – left him feeling “just like a kid who came on and scored his first goal for the team he loves”.
“When it comes to Arsenal, I always feel something special. At the end of the day, I was there at the end of the move, but I just want to help,” he added. “That’s all I wanted to do. I said it right from the start: I didn’t want to be a hero or whatever – just one of the guys in the dressing room.”
STRIKE RATES | HENRY COMPARED
Based on all club games this season
Thierry Henry (Arsenal) Games 6; Total Mins 117; Goals 3; Mins per Goal 39
Andy Carroll (Liverpool) Games 30; Total Mins 1789; Goals 5; Mins per Goal 358
Fernando Torres (Chelsea) Games 28; Total Mins 1819; Goals 2; Mins per Goal 455
Marouane Chamakh (Arsenal) Games 15; Total Mins 630; Goals 1; Mins per Goal 630