Henry ´homecoming´ to strike chord

Arsenal favourite Thierry Henry is ready for an emotional outing at the Emirates Stadium when the New York Red Bulls take on his old club.

Henry, 33, spent eight years with Arsenal between 1999 and 2007, winning two English Premier League titles and three FA Cups before joining Barcelona.

Now playing in Major League Soccer with the Red Bulls, the Frenchman always welcomes an opportunity to return to north London, despite his mixed loyalties.

“It’s going to be a weird one,” Henry said.

“On Sunday it’s going to be a friendly … but whenever I come back here, I always get goosebumps.”

“I went back out there before I came in here to see you guys. I was on the field, and it was kind of weird – I won’t lie – but as I said, it’s going to be pretty emotional.”

“Every time I come back here it’s the same, but hopefully we can have a good game. It’s going to be a difficult one. We all know about it, but we’re going to try our best.”

Henry also endorsed Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who has come in for criticism after failing to win a trophy for the club since 2005.

“Let’s put it this way. I know some people had a go at Arsene recently,” he said.

“I don’t know when it’s going to happen, but we all know that one day he’s going to have to stop or go.”

“Like a boss like Sir Alex Ferguson, you don’t want to go after him, and you certainly don’t want to go after Arsene Wenger.”

“The guy changed the face of the club and for me I would keep Arsene for life. I know he got a bit of stick recently, but hopefully they can change that this year.”

Argentine side Boca Juniors and Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain are also in London to take part in the tournament.

And with his Red Bulls team set to play two matches in two days, coach Hans Backe is concerned about his players’ ability to handle to workload.

“We’re not used to playing back-to-back Saturday and Sunday, we only have 18 outfield players because of the rules in MLS, with salary caps and allocation money,” he said.

“So some guys have to play two 90-minute games and that could be a killer so we’ll see tomorrow.”

“But anyhow, it’s a great opportunity to play quality teams.”