Arsene Wenger: 'Thierry Henry will not return'

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that he will not be offering a short-term contract to Thierry Henry.

The former Gunners striker, who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls, had been linked with a temporary move back to the Emirates Stadium.

However, Wenger has insisted that Henry will not be returning, while also ruling out a move for Chelsea's transfer listed striker Nicolas Anelka.

"As for Nicolas Anelka and Thierry Henry, I would say 'No'," said the boss. "I am told Anelka has signed for a club in Shanghai and Henry goes to a training camp with New York Red Bulls on January 15.

"We will lose players like Marouane Chamakh and Gervinho to the Africa Cup of Nations, but we have players like Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andrey Arshavin and Ju Young Park to come in.

"The spirit and the focus of the squad is there."

Anelka spent two years with Gunners before leaving for Real Madrid in 1999.