Arsenal’s move for Henry foolhardy

 Let's not skirt around this: Arsenal's move for Thierry Henry is desperately short-sighted and ultimately foolhardy.

It has been shown on countless occasions that you should never go backwards in football, and Arsene Wenger has once again been caught dealing in sentimentality rather than pragmatism.

Henry's loan move to Arsenal may represent astute PR work from Arsenal, but as a footballing move it is pretty absurd.

The Frenchman clearly lost his edge a few years ago, and even when he left Arsenal for Barcelona back in 2007 he was not the same player he was before.

There is a real danger that his legacy at the club could be tarnished if he has a less than distinguished spell second time around, and it may prove to be a stint which he comes to regret.

Henry has been living the celebrity lifestyle in America, and in the time that he has been away from the club, Robin van Persie has taken up the mantle of being the most prized asset.

Wenger could be faced with real problems if Henry is clamouring for a starting spot in attack, and as the club's all-time leading goalscorer, it would be understandable if he does.

But to tinker with the formation and style of play currently in place would be incredibly short-sighted and could adversely affect van Persie's performances.

The simple fact is that the current Arsenal captain has thrived since he became the main man at the club, and Henry is going to represent a threat to that status given his stature.

A conflict between van Persie and Henry on egotistical grounds would be a disaster for Arsenal, and there is very little good that can come of bringing back a legend who is well past his sell by date.

I certainly would not want to rely upon Henry to produce the goods away from home in the tricky winter months given how out of touch he has been with the Premier League over the last few years, and he would now be next in line if van Persie were to get injured.

Arsenal desperately need a long-term back up for van Persie, and Wenger should not be concentrating his efforts on securing a loan move for a former start.

Henry has lost a yard of pace and a great deal of his hunger and edge since he was in his pomp at Arsenal, and the club should be focusing all their attention on finding a second striker for beyond a brief loan spell.

Lukas Podolski would represent a much better signing for the Gunners, and the German would not only be a good acquisition in the short term, but a prudent investment in the long term.

Jens Lehmann was left embarrassed after a poor return to Arsenal, and Sol Campbell hardly distinguished himself in a similar comeback; it would be a great shame if the same happens with Henry.

One thing is for sure: you would not catch Sir Alex Ferguson dragging a former star back from America as a short-term fix.