Thierry Henry will 'certainly' return to Arsenal one day but he is taking time to consider his options, insists Arsene Wenger
- Arsenal host Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday
- Saints are third in the Premier League, six points ahead of Gunners
- Arsene Wenger believes Thierry Henry will 'certainly' return to club
- But he says it is understandable he is considering his options right now
- Kieran Gibbs and Nacho Monreal both injury doubts at left back
Arsene Wenger believes Thierry Henry is destined to return to Arsenal. Henry left New York Red Bulls at the end of their MLS season and is not expected to play on at the age of 37.
‘One day he will come back,’ said Wenger. ‘In what role, I don’t know. He has to think about what direction he wants to go in.
‘I don’t think he wants to carry on (playing). He has given a lot.’
Thierry Henry, pictured celebrating scoring in January 2012, admitted he would love to return to Arsenal
Henry has announced his departure from Major League Soccer club New York Red Bulls
Henry changed his cover photo on Facebook to an image of the Emirates following his announcement
Wenger believes Henry will 'certainly' return to the Emirates one day but he is unsure in what capacity
Wenger has sent a text message to congratulate Henry on closing a glittering career. He also urged the French FA to turn a proposed friendly, against Brazil in March, into a farewell game in honour of the striker.
‘That is the minimum the French Federation can do, they owe him that,’ said Wenger, but his career advice for Henry was not to make a hasty decision.
‘I made him start at the age of 17 in Monaco,’ said Wenger. ‘So he had 20 years of competitive football and that deserves high respect and congratulations —not only for what he achieved but also for his focus on football.
Henry acknowledges fans after New York Red Bulls 4-3 aggregate defeat in the last game of the MLS season
Henry spreads his arms wide and celebrates to the Arsenal fans after scoring against Inter Milan
‘He has the right to reflect and think of what he wants to do now. He is an Arsenal man. The best moments of his life and of his career have been here.’
Henry spent eight years at Arsenal after signing from Juventus in 1999.
He returned on loan from NYRB for a short spell in 2012 and is the club’s record goalscorer with 228.
It is quite rare for Wenger to invite former players into his backroom team. Steve Bould is assistant manager after working his way up through the academy.
‘There’s a right number to have but I’m not against it,’ said Wenger.
Henry has spoken of his desire to coach. ‘He is intelligent, committed, he loves the game,’ said Wenger.
‘He has to think: Do I want to sacrifice the rest of my life to be involved in that job? You have to realise there is nothing else.
'If you look around me, people who have worked without interruption for 30 years in this job, you will not find many.’
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