Van Persie in awe of ´brave´ Henry

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie has hailed Thierry Henry’s bravery in deciding to return to the club for a two-month loan spell.

Henry, now 34, was asked by Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to come back to the club at which he is already the all-time record goalscorer, in order to provide back-up to Van Persie in the absence of Africa Cup of Nations-bound duo Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh.

And Van Persie believes the fact Henry opted to accept Wenger’s offer despite having nothing left to prove is a mark of the man and his love for the game.

“He got a statue here last month and he has proved everything to us,” the Dutchman said.

“For him to come back is so brave. I really like that.”

“He wants to help us out. He wants to help the club he loves. Only positives.”

“He has nothing to prove. He has a statue here – only a couple of players have that. He broke every single record at Arsenal – he won everything at Arsenal.”

“Some people might question: ‘why do you do it? You have proved everything already?'”

“But there is only one answer. That is because he loves the game so much that he just wants to play.”

Henry’s remit will be very much to act as understudy to the prolific Van Persie, but the Gunners skipper admits he is excited by the possibility of teaming up with his old strike partner once again.

“I am looking forward to it and I hope we can play together,” he said. “He is unbelievable. Even in training.”

“He had a couple of sessions and – I don’t want to put too much pressure on him – but he is looking right up there. He is looking very good. Honestly.”

“It is fantastic. I asked him a couple of weeks ago. I had a little cheeky question and asked whether he was willing to come back. Everyone has been working on him over the last couple of weeks.”

“It will be good for everyone. It is a massive joy to play and train with him. I am excited too.”

“The younger guys are all looking up to him. Everyone is sharing that feeling.”

“Before the game I saw him speaking to Francis Coquelin with the ball, showing him how to run. He is doing a great job already.”

Meanwhile, Van Persie’s team-mate Mikel Arteta thinks Henry’s presence in the dressing room and on the training ground can only benefit the team.

“I’ve always been a big admirer of him, when he was playing here and at Barcelona,” the Spaniard said.

“It’s great to have him around with his experience and his talent – I’m sure he’s going to be really helpful.”

“I heard a lot of things about him and his character and for being so brave to come back here with the name he has is not easy.”

“He’s putting his name on the line yet again and I think that’s brave. He has the quality and the talent for sure.”

“I don’t know how he is physically to play 90 minutes, 60 minutes, 30 or whatever he needs, I think with his experience he can manage that no problem.”