Striker Hails Arsenal Signing As ‘Unbelievable’

Robin van Persie believes that Thierry Henry will be 'unbelievable' for Arsenal, with the striker admitting he personally asked the legend to make a return to north London, even if just on a temporary basis.

Van Persie has starred for the Gunners this season, but with Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho set to leave the club for the Africa Cup of Nations in January, back up is badly needed in the next month should the sharp shooter become injured.

Henry appeared like a dream signing for Arsenal fans at the beginning of the season, and now that their dreams have been realised, van Persie has revealed he was hoping for the signing to go through as well.

"It is fantastic," he told the official Arsenal 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].

"He is unbelievable, even in training. 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'."

Henry will have an influence for Arsenal both on and off the pitch, and van Persie believes the 34 year old will give the younger players another idol to look up to.

"The younger guys are all looking up to him," he explained.

"Everyone is sharing that feeling. Before the [QPR] game I saw him speaking to Francis Coquelin with the ball, showing him how to run. He is doing a great job already."

Arsenal are currently fifth in the Premier League table, and badly need Henry's influence to break back into Champions League contention. Since September, the club have accumulated only one less point than Manchester United and Manchester City, but losing to Fulham yesterday proved to be a huge setback as the Gunners move closer towards the top four.