Arsene Wenger believes Thierry Henry can add "something more" to Arsenal after returning on a short-term loan deal from New York Red Bulls.
The 34-year-old former Gunners captain went straight into the squad for the FA Cup third-round clash against Leeds at the start of a six-and-a-half-week spell which will take in games against Manchester United, AC Milan and possibly even the visit of Tottenham on February 26.
Henry became Arsenal's record goalscorer during eight trophy-laden seasons with the north-London club before leaving to join Barcelona in 2007.
The Gunners unveiled a bronze statue outside the gates of Emirates Stadium to Henry as part of their 125th anniversary celebrations in December.
Wenger believes Henry's return can only be good for all involved.
He said: "You cannot take away from people what they have done, and what he has delivered will stay forever. It can just make the statue a bit bigger. Let us hope he will do that.
"Thierry is a world-class player and even at this club a player of that dimension is always very difficult to find, especially at this period of the season. He can just add something more to the team.
"Who would turn down a player of his quality?
"We have a good spirit in the side and he will add something more, experience-wise, and on the nervy side as well, when we are under pressure.
"That is a good addition because he knows the club, he knows the league, and it is only positive."
Wenger is in no doubt Henry still has the quality to compete at the highest level, the striker having trained at his old club since the end of the Major League Soccer season, where Red Bulls were knocked out of the play-offs by David Beckham's Los Angeles Galaxy.
The Arsenal manager said: "Thierry is like everyone who develops in life, he is more open to people.
"When you are a young striker you are more focused on yourself and today, what he can give to others is of a higher level than he could do five or six years ago.
"Thierry is in a position where has done it all and is under less pressure than five or six years ago."
Wenger added: "We want him to perform. I want him to help the team and do well.
"I don't even have to say a word because he will want to do that himself."
Henry admitted he never expected to return to Arsenal, but when the opportunity presented itself he could not turn it down.
The France World Cup winner told Arsenal Player: "It did happen pretty fast but when it comes down to Arsenal it is pretty hard for me to say no.
"I am not here to be a hero and people do have to understand that. We have a team here, the boss has a team here that are in a good position compared to what happened at the beginning.
"I am here to help the boss and the guys that need me."
Henry, though, is conscious of how he has changed as a player.
He added: "I am not 25 anymore, I am not going to take the ball from the middle of the park and dribble past five or six players. Don't expect that."
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