Gooner Talk

New York Red Bulls striker Thierry Henry will train with Arsenal in a bid to keep up his fitness during the MLS winter break – prompting reports that he could make another sensational return to the club in January.

The 35-year-old could be brought in as a back-up forward in January when Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh head to the Africa Cup of Nations.

During his first stint with the Gunners between 1999 and 2007, Henry became Arsenal’s leading goalscorer of all time.

It is also believed that the ex-France international could return to the north London for a third spell as a player, although any deal is dependent on New York Red Bulls’ terms and agreement.

“This year we lose Gervinho again as they are playing the Africa Cup of Nations two years in a row. So we will be confronted with a shortage – particularly if (Marouane) Chamakh should go. Then we will be short”, admitted Wenger.

Henry returned to Arsenal earlier this year for a loan two-month spell with the club, scoring two goals.

Arsenal have a tough set of fixtures in January with games against Southampton, Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool providing stern tests, while FA Cup clashes and a potential Capital One Cup semi-final could make the month even harder.

Do you think Gunners’ boss Arsene Wenger should bring back Thierry Henry to Arsenal in January?

Have your say by voting in the poll below and leaving your views in the comments section.

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Arsenal’s chairman Peter Hill-Wood has revealed that Theo Walcott has turned down the club’s recent £75,000-a-week contract offer, but remains adamant that the 23-year-old’s ongoing situation can be resolved.

Walcott, who scored and assisted another against West Ham last Saturday, has yet to sign a new deal with the Gunners despite having just under 12 months remaining on his current one.

The England international will be allowed to speak to foreign clubs about agreeing to a pre-contract transfer from January, with Hill-Wood insisting Arsenal won’t be breaking their wage structure to pay Walcott’s £100,000-a-week demands.

“We have got our general overall wage structure and we are not prepared to break it for anybody,” he said. “We have made an offer which he didn’t think was acceptable and that is the end of it. We think it is a very reasonable offer.

“For the moment his people are still talking to us and we hope it will be resolved. But don’t ask me when, because I haven’t a clue.

“I hope that he will eventually come round and sign. It will be a pity if he does not, but the whole issue of pay for footballers has got totally out of hand and they don’t get terribly well advised a lot of the time.”

Talks are expected to continue with Walcott’s representatives during the current international break, with sources close to the player suggesting that he’s keen on staying at Arsenal.

Do you think Arsenal should break their wage structure for Theo Walcott? Is he worth £100,000-a-week and could the forward be easily replaced? Have your say in the poll and comments section below.

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Newcastle today announced that Joey Barton has been placed on the transfer list, while his agent revealed that two London-based clubs have already approached him.

At 28-years-old, Barton still has a lot to offer. Being a dead-ball specialist as well as an aggressive and rugged midfielder, the former Man City player would bring to Arsenal some of what they currently lack – character, experience and depth.

However, Barton’s reputation speaks for itself and immediately calls into question whether signing him would disrupt the dressing room environment. Known for being an English bad-boy with a catalogue of violent offences and poor behaviour, Barton has proved to be a nightmare to handle for his former managers.

Although no-one can deny that Barton would improve Arsenal in various ways as well as being a bargain, many Gooners will feel that a move to north London may prove more of a gamble than a solution.

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Leeds United 1-3 Arsenal

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Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger will again use the Carling Cup to give the world a glimpse of the club’s future by blooding his youngsters. The competition has been used by the Frenchman in the past to educate the likes of Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere on the demands of first-team football.

The Gunners’ youngsters have certainly excelled in the past but face stiff competition in the third round in the form of arch-rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Jay-Emmanuel Thomas, Henri Lansbury, Craig Eastmond and Kieran Gibbs are just a select few who are expected to be involved in Tuesday’s tie, although Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh has revealed that he could be in for a surprise start.

“With the ­injuries we have, it might be I’ll play. If the coach wants me to, I’ll do so willingly,” Chamakh told Mirror Football.

“I know what the match with Tottenham means to the players and to the fans.

“It is very important to win. I am happy to play and ready to play if I am selected. And I know it will be a tough game. Tottenham have some very good players like ­William ­Gallas, Sebastien Bassong and Benoit Assou-Ekotto.”

However, many Gooners have suggested that fielding a weakened side at White Hart Lane will play into the hands of Spurs manager Harry Redknapp, who is expected to start with a mix of fringe players and senior stars.

What kind of team do you want to see Arsenal start with on Tuesday? Should Wenger rest the first teamers and blood the new breed of young talent? Or should he field a full strength side due to the nature of the game?

Leave your views by voting in the poll and commenting in the discussion section below.

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Arsenal’s much anticipated Premier League campaign begins this Sunday with a trip to Anfield to face rivals Liverpool. The fixture is the perfect chance for fans to wet their appetites ahead of a long season for Arsene Wenger’s new-look outfit.

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Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry could start against his old club next week, after Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed Barcelona’s match with Athletic Bilbao through injury.

The Swede is a serious doubt for Tuesday’s evening clash due to a calf strain and it looks likely that either Henry or the in-form Bojan will now start against Arsene Wenger’s side.

This positive-looking news  for Arsenal comes off the back of today’s last-gasp win against Wolves, with Nicklas Bendtner scoring in the fourth minute of stoppage time.

Arsenal need to win at the Nou Camp on Tuesday, although a 3-3 score draw or above would see the Gunners also go through to the semi-finals on the away goals rule.

Will Wenger’s troops beat Barca?

Have your say in our poll below.

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