|
|
Arsene Wenger refuses to rule out extending Thierry Henry's loan spell at Arsenal from New York Red Bulls
The Gunners manager hopes the legendary French striker's form justifies a longer temporary stay, similar to the deal that kept David Beckham at AC Milan in 2009
Jan 9, 2012 10:06:00 AM
By Arthur Virgo
Arsenalpics.com
Arsene Wenger has refused to rule out extending Thierry Henry’s spell at Arsenal on loan from New York Red Bulls.
The former France international has rejoined the Gunners on a two-month loan and is currently scheduled to return to the United States ahead of the new MLS season on March 10.
The signing of Henry provides valuable cover in attack as Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh are set to travel to the Africa Cup of Nations, representing Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively. Park Chu-Young, new to the Premier League, would otherwise be the only striker available to cover for Robin van Persie.
When asked if Henry might stay until the end of the season in a manner similar to David Beckham’s loan spell at AC Milan in 2009 from LA Galaxy, Wenger told reporters: "Let's hope we have the problem.
“If we have a problem then it means he has done well so I hope we will have the problem. But at the moment I can just say no, it is not envisaged at all."
"Milan might have negotiated that in advance but we have not done that. We have promised that we send the player back so we have not spoken about that at all."
The club legend is expected to feature in Monday’s FA Cup third round tie at home to Leeds, and Wenger is targetting success in the competition, but says he is not preoccupied with the club's failure to win a trophy since 2005.
"It has always looked like 'Ah, you have not won a trophy so you have been nowhere for five years'," he said.
"But in the same five years we have been in the semi-finals of the Champions League and final of the Champions League. You will realise one day that it is not as easy as it looks and this year we are again one of the two teams who qualified.
“At the level we are, with the wages we have, and the aspirations we have, [the aim] is to play in the Champions League. After that you want to win all the other trophies."
Wenger added it was more important to focus on the future than bask in past glories.
"I don't know where I have my medals," he continued. "I don't think I keep them. It's more important what is in front of you."
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
The former France international has rejoined the Gunners on a two-month loan and is currently scheduled to return to the United States ahead of the new MLS season on March 10.
The signing of Henry provides valuable cover in attack as Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh are set to travel to the Africa Cup of Nations, representing Ivory Coast and Morocco respectively. Park Chu-Young, new to the Premier League, would otherwise be the only striker available to cover for Robin van Persie.
When asked if Henry might stay until the end of the season in a manner similar to David Beckham’s loan spell at AC Milan in 2009 from LA Galaxy, Wenger told reporters: "Let's hope we have the problem.
“If we have a problem then it means he has done well so I hope we will have the problem. But at the moment I can just say no, it is not envisaged at all."
"Milan might have negotiated that in advance but we have not done that. We have promised that we send the player back so we have not spoken about that at all."
The club legend is expected to feature in Monday’s FA Cup third round tie at home to Leeds, and Wenger is targetting success in the competition, but says he is not preoccupied with the club's failure to win a trophy since 2005.
"It has always looked like 'Ah, you have not won a trophy so you have been nowhere for five years'," he said.
"But in the same five years we have been in the semi-finals of the Champions League and final of the Champions League. You will realise one day that it is not as easy as it looks and this year we are again one of the two teams who qualified.
“At the level we are, with the wages we have, and the aspirations we have, [the aim] is to play in the Champions League. After that you want to win all the other trophies."
Wenger added it was more important to focus on the future than bask in past glories.
"I don't know where I have my medals," he continued. "I don't think I keep them. It's more important what is in front of you."
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Inside Goal.Com
-
Germany must drop their gutless Bayern stars
The Bavarians appeared to buckle under the pressure of Saturday's match against Chelsea. Now Goal.com investigates whether several in their ranks remain worthy to start for country
-
Cartoon: Too big for Portugal, Hulk eyes Chelsea
Goal.com cartoonist Omar Momani gives us his unique take on the football news of the day...
-
Top five Africans to win the Champions League
Goal.com looks back at five telling contributions from African players who helped their respective clubs to Champions League glory
-
Giovinco claims Serie A Goal of the Season
The 'Atomic Ant' takes the award for his wonderful dipping effort against the Robur, one of 15 goals he scored in a record-breaking 2011-12 campaign
-
All the players available for free in Spain
With the exception of Real Madrid and Barcelona, all of the clubs in the Primera Division will be releasing first-team footballers imminently. Goal.com takes a closer look
