London: With the Gunners suffering their worst start to a Premier League campaign in Arsene Wenger`s 16 years in charge, the shareholder feels the striker can change the club`s soul
Arsenal`s second-largest shareholder Alisher Usmanov believes the return of legend Thierry Henry in a non-playing capacity can change the club`s "soul".
The 35-year-old has been training at the Gunners` London Colney base since the conclusion of the MLS season. Henry agreed to rejoin the Gunners for a second loan spell, with the club suffering their worst-ever start to a league season in Arsene Wenger`s 16 years in charge.
But Usmanov feels "a more important" backroom role would aid Arsenal further than playing time on the pitch, and highlighted the impact that Patrick Vieira - another former player held in high regard at the Emirates Stadium - has had at Manchester City.
"I don`t have any powers in terms of decisions at the club but there are a few players with whom I am in contact," Usmanov told L`Equipe.
"My favourite is probably Thierry Henry. Thierry should be involved at the club but not as a player. He has another role to play, a more important role. Take the example of Patrick Vieira at Manchester City. He is also a symbol of Arsenal but he is helping another club. We have to avoid that with Thierry."
Henry scored twice in seven appearances for Arsenal in a short-term loan deal last season but, despite this success, Usmanov feels a similar deal will not reap the same rewards.
He continued: "The presence of a champion can radically change the soul of a team. That’s what Thierry showed last year when he came back to Arsenal but I think that comebacks only succeed once. That’s why I think the decision to come back belongs only to Thierry Henry."
Goal.Com
First Published: Friday, December 14, 2012, 08:46