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Is an Henry return to Arsenal a good idea?

  HenryArsenal (Getty)

One of the more interesting rumors of the holiday season in Europe surrounds Thierry Henry's potential return to Arsenal on a short-term loan in January. Nobody at Arsenal is publicly admitting it is in the works (Arsene Wenger said he has yet decide whether to pursue it), and there is no guarantee that the New York Red Bulls would be willing to let their star player go on a loan, but the idea remains an intriguing one.

Is it a good idea? From a practical standpoint, Arsenal could use some attacking help come January, when Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho will depart for the African Cup of Nations. Henry has spent part of the off-season training with Arsenal, so Arsene Wenger should have a good idea if Henry can still contribute.

Such a move wouldn't without risk.

We need only look at David Beckham's last loan move, back in 2010 with AC Milan, where a torn Achilles cost Beckham the World Cup and most of the MLS regular season, to see the risk of letting a star player go on loan. Henry is 34, and while he has done well to avoid major injuries through his career, playing Premier League games would certainly put him at risk.

Then there is possibility of having Henry tarnish his legendary image at Arsenal. He will always be one of Arsenal fans' most beloved players, and that won't change regardless of how a potential loan might go, but a disappointing loan could provide a less than ideal conclusion to Henry's time as an Arsenal player. As it stands, Arsenal fans remember Henry as the legendary striker who always played at a high level. If he were to struggle through a month or two on loan, it would be a forgettable final chapter to a still amazing time at Arsenal.

What do you think of a potential Henry loan move to Arsenal? Great idea, or not worth the risk?

Cast your vote here:

Do I think it's a good idea? I think Henry could help Arsenal, and Gunners fans will love him no matter how he does, but I don't see the New York Red Bulls letting him go.

What do you think of a Henry loan to Arsenal? Love the idea? Think it would be a mistake?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. NO, NO, NO. Anyone, and I mean ANYONE, will look poor in contrast to van persie. even if henry is good, he’ll still be two things: a shadow of his “trophy” self and less than van persie. maybe that’s good enough for arsenal though… bad for henry, but good for arsenal. hell, if he can tally more than chamakh’s and gervinho’s poor numbers it’s good for the boys in red and white.

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  2. You have to click the tab that says you know absolutely nothing about football, then you will find it. Do you think anyone takes you seriously with nonsense statements like that? Must be an ulterior motive for the comment

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  3. Wenger, who I am assuming would have the final say on this, at least from the Arsenal side, is better placed than anyone to judge this.

    For one thing he is their manager and presumably has his finger on what the team needs.

    For another thing, he probably knows Henry as well as anyone in the game.

    As for the injury risk, Henry is actually playing fewer games than he did when he was Europe. You can look at that as he is not in as good shape as he was then so his risk is higher. Or you can look at it like he has had less wear and tear on him recently so he should be fresher.

    Overall, Henry could get hurt in training just as easily as he can in game so I see no inherently greater risk, especially if he is only going for around ten games or so. Henry is very experienced and certainly knows how to pace himself for maximum efficiency.

    Those who cite Beckham’s injury as a cautionary tale should remember he had been playing soccer non-stop for a lot longer than Henry would have been if he decides to go ahead with this. The two are not related.

    Wenger,Henry and NYRB are all big boys now. Let them earn their money and figure it out.

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  4. I said park is one of the best.. And they are giving him time to adapt. Arsenal are short of strikers, my point is if Henry costs anything it’s a waste they need someone like podolski or somebody who is good enough to start giving van persie a break or if he gets hurt, getting an old striker on loan as a supersub is not nearly enough.

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  5. To play top flight English for a top 5 team? No.. he doesn’t. What did that video prove other than he can juggle a ball 7 times and lose it to Gonzalez? I fail to see the point. I’ve seen 14 year old kids do the same thing.

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  6. Like I said, they have zero strikers after RVP. Park is NOT best striker in Asia…first of all. He’s decent, not even close to great. He RARELY even makes the bench. Henry can play either wing or striker…do I actually need to spell this out for you? He’d be a great sub off the bench. They’ll need reinforcements come the ACN. And…u can’t just got out and buy Podolski…there willl be a hefty price tag.

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  7. Perfect image at Arsenal? Please. Henry was a great, GREAT player for the Gunners, but even he would admit that he could be difficult, and I’m sure even Arsenal fans know that.

    I like the loan move, and let’s just hope he doesn’t get injured.

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  8. Park is one of the best strikers in asia, playing henry on the wing won’t fix their striker problem. It would be fine if the loan was essentially free for arsenal, otherwise they should just buy podoski.

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  9. +1 — I was looking for the button: Might not be the best idea for Red Bulls and he might not be the stud he was, but Aresenal could sure use the support!

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  10. I’ve always wondered if their is a loan fee involved can the Red Bulls use that as allocation dollars like when a player is sold? If so and they can get a modest 100,000 pound fee that might be an interesting way to get some salary cap flexibility.

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  11. This is the guy who has seen nagging injuries reduce his time on the pitch for RBNY for the last two seasons. Why not be sure he gets hois rest and gets healthy? And that’s not even considering the risk of a new injury.

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  12. If the Red Bulls are smart, they agree to a loan at a moderate price but negotiate to deepen the relationship between the two organizations. For example, let’s get Arsenal in town for a friendly, ensure the Red Bulls continue to be invited to the Emirates Cup, and create opportunities for both teams to exchange young players. Give us young, Arsenal reserve players on loan; Arsenal agrees to take Red Bulls youngsters for training stints. That’s how I would play this.

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  13. LOL @ the haters. Have any of you actually watched Arsenal play on a regular basis. #1) They have ZERO strikers after RVP and #2)he could fit nicely in an advanced winger role … as a substitute. No one is saying he should start, but he’d be a great replacement. With the ANC coming up, the Gunners will be losing several players and need reinforcements.

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  14. If Wenger plans on using him off the bench for late in teh game, he might be good for a goal or two. Will he be able to go 90 and be the Henry of old? Doubt it. He’s lost a step, but he still has the vision–but not speed for 90.

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  15. Arsene Wenger needs to go and find the next Henry, not bring the old one back. Neither Henry nor Arsenal would benefit greatly from his return, he’s lost a step, and Wenger will do anything but go out and spend for a great player.

    Both of them need a reality check.

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  16. Henry would be fine for a loan stint at Arsenal, but at his age he’s asking for an injury. He might make it through 6 weeks but I think the extra games would take a toll on his body over time and wouldn’t be able to make it through the whole MLS season.

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  17. As long as Arsenal fans set their expectations to “34 years old and coming from MLS” rather than “omfg, it’s the Invincibles 2012,” he won’t tarnish his legacy.

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  18. Van Persie is the best striker in the EPL right now, but he is eventually going to need a rest. With Chamakh leaving for the ACN, Arsenal needs someone who can come in and provide decent support. Henry is a good replacement for Chamakh, and I expect him to play about as often if the move ends up going through.

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