London: New York Red Bulls' striker Thierry Henry has returned to Arsenal to maintain his fitness following the completion of the Major League Soccer season.
The Gunners hero, who scored 174 league goals for the club between 1999 and 2007, was seen training with the rest of the Arsenal first-team players, and manager Arsene Wenger admitted that it's always special to have him back at the club.
"Thierry was in with our training today, and he does not need to show how good he is," Wenger told the club's official website. "It is always a lift to see what a big player he still is."
"He just wants to stay fit and enjoy the football club again, because he is at home here and it is always good to have him back. When you are not in the day before the game, it is possible, of course, for him to practise with the first-team."
"Thierry loves football and he loves Arsenal, so to practice with him is an honour and a pleasure - for him and for us."
"An honour because he is a legend at the club and he is coming back, a pleasure because when he is on the football pitch, he is still a great player."
However, Wenger put to bed rumours that the club might sign their former captain on a short-term loan deal.
Since his side lost in the MLS play-offs at the start of November, the 34-year-old Henry could join the Gunners on a short-term deal until the 2012 MLS season starts, as David Beckham has twice done with AC Milan. However, Wenger insists the club are merely trying to help their former French star with his fitness.
"At the moment we have a big squad, and anyway, this problem can't be examined before the end of December," Wenger told reporters. "At the moment we have 26 outfield players so we have a massive squad."
"Thierry's future is in the States, he is going back in February, until then we will just help him to practice and keep fit."
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