HENRY TO PLAY AGAINST LEEDS - WENGER

LONDON, Jan 8, 2012 (AFP) - Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thierry Henry will make his second 'debut' for Arsenal during the FA Cup third-round clash against Leeds, more than 12 years since he made his first appearance for the club.

Henry was registered in time for Monday's game at the Emirates, although Wenger is unsure whether the 34-year-old will start against their Championship opponents or come off the bench as he attempts to add to his 226 Arsenal goals. The Frenchman is expected to receive a huge ovation from supporters following his six-and-a-half week loan deal from New York Red Bulls. "It took a little while to get the paperwork done but finally it is done," Arsenal boss Wenger said. "He will be involved against Leeds but I haven't decided yet what I will do. "He works hard, he is a bit behind physically of course. I think in one or two weeks he will be fine. Everybody is happy that he has joined the team."

It was only recently that Arsenal erected a statue to honour Henry's achievements with the club, with the striker moved to tears when it was unveiled before Christmas. Wenger is confident Henry's legacy will not be tarnished by his second spell at the club.

"You cannot take away from people what they have done, and what he has delivered will stay forever," he said. "It can just make the statue a bit bigger, let's hope he will do that." "He still has the quality. He is a bit less strong physically, because we all go down physically every day, nobody can stop that, you can only slow it down.

"Thierry had so many physical qualities, that he is still at a good level. His other quality was he always had a healthy life, he cared about his diet and usually these players go down as well, but less quickly than ones who do not do that." Henry himself insists he is there to compliment the form of Robin van Persie, who has carried the club since the departures of Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri.