New York Red Bulls Striker Thierry Henry On Two Month Loan Deal To Arsenal
The reports are out that New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry will be at EPL side Arsenal for a loan. It will be similar to Landon Donovan’s loan at Everton which will last about two months and have him back for the start of the 2012 MLS season.
The deal was confirmed by Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger in late December.
“It was my idea because I decide and he was happy with it. It was his idea as well to come here, but I had to make the decision to do it.
“He is certainly very happy and modest about it as well. He just wants to help us get through a period where we lose two strikers.
“First of all we do it because Gervinho and Chamakh go to the African Nations Cup and to cover for two months is ideal.”
“He is experienced, he is quality, he knows the Club, he can help the players on and off the pitch. He has vast experience.
“No one can measure that but I know it can only be positive. He has exceptional talent; he is a very intelligent man and has a desire to help the Club, so it can only be positive. But it is difficult to measure how positive an influence he is.”
New York Red Bulls General Manager Erik Soler also spoke of the loan deal around the same time.
“It was more like the total package. You sort of need to travel to Arsenal to understand the meaning he has to everybody inside and outside the club. We feel it’s a good honor for a guy who’s been with us 18 months. This is something he thought he wanted to do, and it’s easy to see,” Soler told the Post. “And on sporting side, it’s better for him to train at Arsenal, than if we turn something like that down. I couldn’t find a single reason to say no.
“I was approached by them, and of course I wanted to check if that was what Thierry wanted, and make sure my ownership was happy with it. I did the necessary calls on my part, and on the sporting side both Hans (Backe, coach) and myself think it’s a very good idea. Thierry will be working hard. He’ll be coming to our Phoenix trip. He’ll be coming straight from training and playing with Arsenal, which is a good thing for us. In the end, it’s very easy for us to see this as good idea.’’
“If its finalized, the idea would be to have him from Sunday Jan. 1 approximately that date in February. They have a Champions League game on the 16th, and he would come after that.”
As with most loan deals, Arsenal will pay a pro-rated portion of Henry’s salary to NY (about $5 million base per year).
