Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer has
been told he can keep in shape at their London Colney training base
during the MLS off-season.
Goal.com understands that there is a strong possibility that the
informal situation could even extend into a second loan spell at the
club where Henry enjoys legendary status.
Arsene Wenger wants to strengthen his squad with a new centre-forward
in the window January and, as revealed by Goal.com last month, has made
Atletico Madrid’s Adrian Lopez his top target.
However, if Arsenal cannot clinch a deal
for the Spain international, they are considering turning once again to
Henry, who has just completed his third season at New York Red Bulls.
The Londoners will lose Gervinho on Africa Cup of Nations duty in
January for up to six weeks and doubt surrounds the future of Theo
Walcott, even though progress has been made in his contract negotiations with the club.
Although no talks have taken place at this stage between Henry and
Arsenal, he is regarded as a possible temporary solution to the club’s
centre-forward problem.
The Frenchman, who turned 35 in August, had a fairytale seven-match
return to Emirates Stadium at the start of the year, extending his
Arsenal scoring record to 228 goals.
The striker returned to London last week after New York Red Bulls
were beaten in the MLS play-offs to end their domestic campaign.
He was principally in the capital to spend time with his family but
visited London Colney and was also at Emirates Stadium last Saturday to
watch Arsenal beat Tottenham 5-2 in the north London derby.
The Frenchman now plans to go on holiday before coming back to London
in December, where he is set to make full use of Arsenal’s training
facilities on his return to maintain his fitness.
The former France international capped an excellent season for New
York Red Bulls, which yielded 15 goals in 29 games, by being one of the
three players nominated for the MLS most valuable player of the year
award. Graham Zusi of Sporting Kansas City and the San Jose Earthquakes
striker Chris Wondolowski are the other nominees.
Speaking in the summer about the
possibility of another stint at Arsenal, Henry said: “I would like to go
back to England with Arsenal for sure. “I wasn't planning to go back to play last season. It was only
because Gervinho and (Marouane) Chamakh went to the African Nations Cup.
“I was there to train and they asked me if I wanted to play. Who
knows what might happen in the future? I've not yet spoken to Arsene
about it so I don't know what capacity I could go back in.”
Source: Goal.com
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