• Premier League

Wenger rules out Henry loan return

ESPN staff
January 1, 2013
Thierry Henry will not be back for Arsenal, it seems © Getty Images
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Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry will not be rejoining the Gunners on loan during the January transfer window, manager Arsene Wenger has said.

Wenger, who at the end of last month had indicated that he had not ruled out bringing the Frenchman to Arsenal for a third time, confirmed he would not re-sign him after his side's 1-1 draw at Southampton.

"He is not ready, he has just come back from holiday anyway. At the moment, we are not on that case," he said. Asked whether a move could still happen, he said: "No.''

Before Christmas, the Gunners boss had played down reports linking him with a loan move for Arsenal's record goalscorer, who now plays for MLS side the New York Red Bulls.

But he then denied he had shut the door on a temporary move for the 35-year-old, who scored twice - both game-winners - in seven games during a loan spell at the Emirates last term.

"I've not lost interest in him," Wenger, who had allowed Henry to train with Arsenal for a month during the MLS off-season, said.

"I've not completely [ruled it out]. But I haven't spoken about it with him at all. We are very close [personally], but at the moment I think he has had a second spell at the club that was very successful. You have to be cautious that it's not one time too many."

Henry scored a club record 226 goals for Arsenal from 1999 to 2007.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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