Arsenal's Van Persie says Thierry Henry has plenty left to offer

Jan 2, 2012, 11:19 GMT

London - Arsenal striker Robin van Persie says Thierry Henry is still a world-class player and will not tarnish his legacy if he re-signs for the Premier League club.

Frenchman Henry is set to complete the paperwork on a two-month loan deal with his former side, in his off-season from US club New York Red Bulls.

Henry is Arsenal's record goalscorer after netting 226 times in his eight years with the club (1999-2007) and Van Persie said his former team-mate will prove he still has something to offer at the top level.

'It is fantastic,' Van Persie told Arsenal's official website. 'For him to come back is something so brave. 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 here.

'Some people might question 'why do you do it, because 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. I asked him a couple of weeks ago (to come back).'

At 34, Henry has lost a lot of the blistering pace that made him so successful in his first spell but Van Persie said he had lost none of his skill.

'He is unbelievable, even in training,' he said. '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. He knows when to drop, he knows when to make a one-two. He knows all these things. I am looking forward to it so much.'

'It will be good for everyone. It is a massive joy to play and train with him. I am excited too. It's like, 'oh yes, Thierry is back, let's have fun',' he said.

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