Published: 5 January, 2012
by STEVE BARNETT

FANS are eagerly counting down the days until they get the chance to see Thierry Henry back in an Arsenal shirt.

Gunners officials are confident the club will receive the necessary paperwork from the New York Red Bulls regarding the two-month loan agreement in the next 48 hours, clearing the Frenchman to play in Monday’s FA Cup clash against Leeds at the Emirates.

Among those desperate to see Henry back in the starting line-up is goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, who believes Arsenal “need” their all-time leading goalscorer.

“He’s quality,” Szczesny told Arsenal Player. “He’s still a great finisher and he’s very clever, he’s very intelligent.

“As well as that he’s a great figure to have in the dressing room. He helps all the young players off the pitch as well as on the pitch.

“It’s good to have him there and hopefully everything will be confirmed and done as soon as possible because we need him.”

Assuming that the Gunners do manage to clear Henry in time for Monday’s third round tie, Szczesny may still have to wait before lining up alongside the legendary striker.

Manager Arsene Wenger may use the game against Leeds as a chance to rest key players, handing the likes of Lukasz Fabianski, Yossi Benayoun and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rare starts.

Henry does not have to return to New York until March, meaning he could feature in key encounters against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as the first leg of Arsenal’s Champions League last-16 clash against AC Milan.

“To cover for two months is ideal,"” Wenger said. “He has the experience and the quality. He knows the club and can help the players on and off the pitch.”