Arsenal FC Manager, Arsene Wenger has said that Thierry Henry would return to Arsenal in the future, although it might not be as a player.
Speaking to the press ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Southampton, the Gunners boss sang the praises of the club’s all-time leading goal scorer and opened the door for another return to the Emirates.
“Certainly one day he will come back,” he said. “As for what role, I don’t know. He deserves respect for his attitude and achievements. I made him start at 17, today he’s 37. That’s 20 years of competitive football.
“One day he will come back, but in what role I don’t know. He deserves respect for his attitude and achievements… over 20 years.”
“That deserves a huge respect and congratulations not only to what he has achieved but as well on his attitude and his exemplary and his focus on football.”
Henry announced he was leaving New York Red Bulls on Monday after four-and-a-half years at the club but remained coy on his future in football.
The Frenchman has been linked to a variety of coaching roles, including joining his former French teammate Willy Sagnol at Bordeaux.
But Wenger believes Henry’s heart lies with Arsenal and although he was confident their former talisman would return to the Emirates, he believes Henry should consider his future carefully.
“The best moments of his life and his career have been experienced here,” he said. “He’s an Arsenal man.
“He has to think do I want to sacrifice all my life to do this job. He has the right to reflect and think what he wants to do now. He has all the qualities.”
Henry famously returned to Arsenal on loan in 2012, coming off the bench to score the winner against Leeds in the FA Cup third round.
He scored two goals in seven games during his return, culminating with a stoppage time winner against Sunderland that sent the Emirates faithful into raptures.
But now at 37, Wenger believes his former star striker could be too old to play in the Premier League, increasing speculation he will return in a coaching role.
“At that age I think he doesn’t want to play in Premier League,” he said. “He has to think about what direction he wants to give to his next life.”
