Ray Parlour: Gunners legend Thierry Henry can become Arsenal manager

Former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour has backed the Gunners legend Thierry Henry to become a top manager at the Emirates.

The 37-year-old confirmed his departure from Major League Soccer (MLS) earlier this week and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger revealed the former France international will return to the north London club.

Henry enjoyed a great career during his time with the Gunners and was an integral part of Arsenal's Invincibles squad. Parlour, who also played alongside the Frenchman, believes his former teammate will "definitely" get involved with the Emirates outfit.

"I think he will definitely get involved with Arsenal. I certainly believe, one day, if he really wants to be a manager, he will be the manager of Arsenal," Parlour told talkSPORT.

"He was such an intelligent player. Arsene Wenger used to have a meeting on a Monday with the players after a game and Thierry would always have his say. He would make some great points, not just about forwards, but about defending and how we defend as a team."

"He always had that charisma to be a manager. And look at his name around the world. People would want to play for him and he would attract big players," the Arsenal legend concluded.

However, the Gunners manager has already issued a warning to Henry that becoming a top manager will see the former Arsenal striker dedicate his life to management.

"It's a different job, but it's dedication. In this job, it's a dedication of your life. You have to realise there is nothing else than that," Wenger told Arsenal's official website.

"If you look around me [for] people who have worked without interruption for 30 years in this job, you will not find many. [Thierry] has to choose what he wants to do after his [playing] career," the Gunners manager added.

Meanwhile, John Hartson says Wenger should re-sign Henry and bring him back to the north London club in January.