Kamis, 22 November 2012

Wenger targets January striker move but remains undecided on Henry Arsenal return

CL - Arsenal FC v Montpellier Herault SC, Arsene Wenger
Arsene Wenger has confirmed Arsenal are looking to sign a striker in the January transfer window - but revealed he has undecided on whether to talk to former captain Thierry Henry about a possible loan move.

Goal.com exclusively revealed fan favourite Henry will be training with the north London side in December to keep up his match fitness for the New York Red Bulls during the MLS off-season.

The 35-year-old scored 228 in 378 appearances for the north London club, and enjoyed an initial two-month loan move in January this year, scoring the winner in a 2-1 away win at Sunderland.

The Gunners lost captain Robin van Persie to Manchester United in the summer, and despite bringing in Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski to replace the Dutchman, the club has won only five of 12 league games.

With Gervinho likely to be playing at the Africa Cup of Nations for up to a month, the 63-year-old is looking at other alterna tives as the club look to close a nine-point gap on Premier League leaders Manchester City, but says he is yet to form a clear plan of action.

"I just spoke about [a move for Henry] because people asked me," Wenger told reporters. "I said I don't rule it out because he's in good shape but I haven't made up my mind yet.

"I haven't spoken to Thierry about it. I just answered a question honestly that I have not completely decided how I will sort it out in my head.

"We are looking maybe at a striker, because Gervinho goes to the African Nations Cup."

Wenger also thinks that signing players from the MLS on loan is now a more attractive prospect for Premier League clubs, and also stated that he thinks football across the world should move to a January to November calendar, as is played in the United States.

He added: "They become more and more popular because the players move into championships that are played through the norm al year and are then available at the beginning of the year for European [leagues].

"It's good for the European teams but I personally believe that the whole of football, all over the world, should be played from January until November."

While Wenger is looking for reinforcements, he also praised the new recruits brought in during the summer, exclaiming: "There are good vibes in the dressing room. They feel accepted."

The Gunners overcame Giroud's former side Montpellier 2-0 on Wednesday to qualify for the next round of the Champions League, with their other new forward Podolski scoring on an important night for the club.

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