Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov has claimed that Thierry Henry should return to the club in a off-field role.

The Gunners legend has been linked with another loan spell at the Emirates Stadium following his temporary switch from New York Red Bulls earlier this year.

Usmanov, who owns a 29% stake in Arsenal, believes that Henry could help to restore a sense of identity at the club.

"Thierry should be involved at the club but not as a player," The Mirror quotes the Uzbek as saying. "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 is Arsenal's all-time leading scorer with a total of 228 goals in 376 games.

Written by
Jack Prescott