Henry Retires to Sky Sports

Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football and that he will return to London to take up a role in the media.

The 37-year-old former Arsenal striker left the New York Red Bulls at the start of the month after they were knocked out of the MLS play-offs but there was speculation he might choose to play on at another club – with a return to Arsenalmooted.

However, the former France international and World Cup winner has instead called time on a trophy-laden career, which has included spells with Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and the Red Bulls.

In a statement, Henry said: “After 20 years in the game I have decided to retire from professional football. It has been an incredible journey and I would like to thank all the fans, team mates and individuals involved with Monaco, Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona, the New York Red Bulls and of course the French National team that have made my time in the game so special.

“It is now time for a different career path and I am pleased to say that I will be returning to London and joining Sky Sports. I will hopefully share some of the insights, observations and experiences I have learnt over the years with you guys. I have had some amazing memories (mostly good) and a wonderful experience. I hope you have enjoyed watching as much as I have enjoyed taking part. See you on the other side …”

When asked if he had thought about another stint in north London, Henry told Sky Sports: “You kind of never leave Arsenal. How many comebacks do you make? At one point it will turn out to be a bad movie. We all love the first Rocky but I’m not too sure about the last one.”

Henry will always be most closely associated with Arsenal, where he is the all-time leading goalscorer with 228 goals in 377 games across two different spells.

Arsène Wenger, who had known him as a young player at Monaco, signed him from Juventus for £11m in 1999 and immediately shifted him from the wing to a central striking position. His blend of pace and power made him one of the most feared forwards in English football, and Henry won the Premier League title twice with Arsenal, as well as the FA Cup three times.

Henry left Arsenal in 2007 and joined Barcelona, where he won the Champions League in 2009. He also added two La Liga titles, the Copa del Rey, Spanish Supercopa, Uefa Super Cup and Fifa Club World Cup to his honours list in three seasons at the Camp Nou.

His medal collection also includes a Ligue 1 title and the Trophée des Champions – the equivalent of the Community Shield – with Monaco, his first professional club.

He spent the final five years of his playing career with the Red Bulls, returning to Arsenal to make four appearances on loan in early 2012.

With France, Henry scored 51 goals in 123 appearances – only Lilian Thuram has more caps with Les Bleus. He was a member of the 1998 World Cup winning squad, while also being a runner-up in 2006. Henry was a European champion in 2000 and was part of the team that won the Confederations Cup in 2003.

The former player will begin his work with Sky from the start of 2015, covering live international, European and domestic football and joining the current pundits Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher, Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness.

Gary Neville said: “We were blessed in this country to see Thierry playing at his peak, potentially one of the greatest players in the world and even if you supported another team you couldn’t help but enjoy watching him play. It’s always a shame when such a career comes to an end, but it’s very much Sky Sports’ gain and I look forward to working with him.”

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Wenger Considers Henry Part III

Arsene Wenger said he is not ruling out former striker Thierry Henry having a third spell at Arsenal.

The 35-year-old has been training at the Gunners' Hertfordshire base to maintain fitness following the end of his MLS season with New York Red Bulls.

Henry returned on loan last year, making four appearances and extending his club record goal tally to 228.

Wenger said: "Will I sign him again in January? I don't rule it out. I don't know if he is interested. He is sharp."

Wenger said Henry's arrival could again compensate for the absence of Ivory Coast forward Gervinho at the start of 2013.

He said: "We will lose Gervinho again as they are playing in the African Cup of Nations two years in a row, so we will be confronted with a shortage particularly if [striker] Marouane Chamakh should go. I cannot stand in his way, then we will be short."

Wenger added: "You know what Thierry gives you; he gives you hope, especially when he comes on, that is the most important thing.

"Thierry is a communicator, an extrovert, very intelligent. He can only give good advice to players because he was in their position when he arrived here.

"I think now this team has an exceptionally good character. There are not many flashy boys. What is the most important thing is not whether you are an extrovert, but what it means to you to do well, your job, your will to win."

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Va Va Voom Puts Gunners Through

Thierry Henry made the perfect return to Arsenal when he emerged as a substitute to score a late winner in the FA Cup third round tie against Leeds United.

Henry, back in Arsenal colours for the first time since he left for Barcelona in 2007, scored his 227th goal for the club with 12 minutes remaining amid emotional scenes at the Emirates.

The 34-year-old - back at the club on a two-month loan from New York Red Bulls, where he was recently honoured with a statue - had only been on 10 minutes when the magical moment arrived.

Henry took a pass from Alex Song in his stride in the area before steering a composed angled finished tantalisingly out of the reach of Leeds United keeper Andy Lonergan with his right foot.

It finally broke the stubborn resistance of Leeds and was the signal of an outpouring of emotion as Henry pumped his chest in celebration after racing to hug his mentor Arsene Wenger on the touchline.

Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny raced the length of the field to join the celebrations while Henry later indulged in a spot of impromptu cheerleading as he urged the supporters who worship him to even greater backing for Arsenal in the closing stages.

It was the perfectly-scripted finale to a fiercely-fought contest that needed Henry's Midas touch to defeat a Leeds side that battled in a manner that did manager Simon Grayson and their magnificent travelling support great credit.

At the final whistle, with the first task of his temporary return to the club completed, Henry raised his arms to the heavens in relief and joy before falling into the arms of his Arsenal colleagues and taking the acclaim of an elated crowd.

Henry's presence, even on the bench, enlivened the Emirates Stadium when he came out to warm up and later when his name was announced to rapturous applause.

And the 45 minutes that followed only increased the appetite and anticipation for his return as Arsenal dominated but had no success in breaching a resilient and well-organised Leeds defence.

With leading scorer and captain Robin van Persie rested, attacking duties fell to Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh, the pair combining in the opening moments only for the Russian to fire wildly over the top.

Sebastien Squillaci then headed narrowly wide and Aaron Ramsey was unable to navigate a way around Lonergan after he was played into the area by Arshavin.

Leeds United's big chance, in a half they spent mainly on the retreat, came when Luciano Becchio found space in the box but shot wastefully off target.

Arsenal's defensive resources have thinned out in the face of mounting injuries - and they were depleted further before the interval when Francis Coquelin pulled up with a hamstring problem and was replaced by Nico Yennaris.

The momentum remained with Arsenal after the break as Lonergan saved well low to his left from Mikel Arteta after he was set up by Chamakh and Arshavin fired across the face of goal after picking up Zac Thompson's misplaced pass.

Henry's increasingly energetic sprinting along the touchline in readiness for his appearance drew a loud reaction from Arsenal's fans and he was finally introduced with 22 minutes left, replacing Chamakh. Theo Walcott also came on for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Predictably he was given a hero's welcome as he set about the business of attempting to help Arsenal break down a fine Leeds defence as they once again proved stubborn FA Cup opponents for The Gunners, as they did here at the same stage last season.

And the moment Arsenal had been waiting for came with 12 minutes left as Henry gathered Song's pass in his stride before sparking scenes of ecstasy on and off the pitch with a perfect angled finish.

Leeds refused to bow in the face of such euphoria and almost snatched a replay in the closing stages as Szczesny saved well from substitute Mikael Forssell.

This, however, was Henry's night and Henry's story. Now Arsenal fans will hope he can write fresh chapters before returning to America.

Henry Poised For FA Cup Comeback

Thierry Henry is poised to make his second debut for Arsenal against Leeds in their FA Cup third-round tie at Emirates Stadium.

Henry, Arsenal's all-time leading scorer, has rejoined the London club on loan from New York Red Bulls.

Leeds manager Simon Grayson said: "[Henry] could make anything happen and that is a fantastic attribute that Arsene Wenger has for spotting players.

"The pace and chances he used to create, he has to be one of the best."

The Frenchman, 34, who has joined on a two-month loan, scored 11 goals in his five seasons against the Yorkshire club.

But Grayson admitted he does not expect Henry to be at the same level as he was during his first spell at Arsenal.

The Leeds boss added: "He has a different experience of playing in America but it is probably fitting that he comes back and has a couple of months with Arsenal.

"We don't expect him to be like he was but he will still be a considerable threat if he plays."

Wenger hopes his Arsenal side have learnt from last season when they face Leeds. The teams met at the same stage in 2011 - when the Gunners needed a replay to overcome the Championship side.

The Arsenal boss said: "We have the experience of last year when we couldn't beat them at home, so let's hope we can do it this year.

"We just lost a game in the league at Fulham which gave us a lot of regrets, so we want to respond quickly."

Although Robin van Persie will be missing for the Gunners, after being granted time off for a family holiday in Dubai, Wenger admitted he will otherwise name his strongest team.

"I will play a strong side, a normal side," he said. "Our target is to win the next game and the next game is the FA Cup."

Arsenal go into the game on the back of two disappointing results, first a 1-1 draw with Wolves before they were beaten 1-0 by Fulham.

Leeds on the other hand will be buoyed by their recent win over Burnley, when they came from a goal down to win 2-1 thanks to a winner seven minutes into injury time.

The win ended a run of three successive defeats and Grayson believes past experience will help them at the Emirates.

"We are not nervous when we go into these games because the players feel comfortable in the atmosphere that they are involved in over the course of the season by being a Leeds United player anyway," he said.

"It is a privilege to play for Leeds United and a privilege you have to be able to handle."

A Cesc Fabregas penalty in injury time earned the Gunners a 1-1 draw last season, before Arsenal won 3-1 at the second attempt in the replay.

Henry Confirms Arsenal Loan

Thierry Henry has joined Arsenal on a two-month loan from New York Red Bulls.

The former Arsenal captain, 34, has been training with the club during the Major League Soccer off-season.

The forward will play for the club during January and February, with striker Gervinho absent at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Henry, who is eligible to play in Monday's FA Cup match at home to Leeds, said: "When it comes to Arsenal my heart will always do the talking."

The striker was famous for wearing the number 14 shirt, which Theo Walcott currently uses. Henry will now be Arsenal's number 12.

Manager Arsene Wenger added: "I am very happy. It was my desire and Thierry's desire.

"We will have Thierry for January and February, then he will go back to the United States.

"I am sure during these two months he will be a massive asset to the team in the dressing room and on the pitch.

"He can be relaxed, not under too much pressure and be a tremendous help to the team."

Henry Set to Join Statue at Emirates

Thierry Henry will sign a two-month loan with Arsenal if insurance can be arranged with the New York Red Bulls, Arsene Wenger has confirmed.

The former Arsenal captain, 34, has been training with the club during the Major League Soccer off-season.

Gunners boss Wenger said: "For two months it certainly will happen. I don't take care of the agreement and insurance and that is not completed.

"We cannot announce anything [now] because the paperwork is not done."

With Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh set to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, the Frenchman would offer back-up to captain Robin van Persie.

Henry is Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer, with 226 goals in 370 appearances for the club before he moved to Barcelona in June 2007.

Wenger said: "To cover for two months is ideal. He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch.

"He has exceptional talent and is a very intelligent man. It can only be positive.

"He still has class, pace and quality. He is here to help the club he loves. But we must not put too much pressure on him, he is 34. He needs two good weeks' work. He is here to help - not suddenly be the main player."

The French forward does not have to return to the New York Red Bulls until March, which means he could feature in seven Premier League games, including key encounters against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as FA Cup ties and the first leg of Arsenal's Champions League last-16 clash against AC Milan.

If agreement is reached with the Red Bulls, he could feature in Arsenal's FA Cup third-round tie against Leeds on 9 January.

A statue of Henry was recently installed outside the Emirates Stadium.