THIERRY HENRY has got these type of acceptance speeches down to a fine art. Arsenal’s returning idol came across as overwhelmed when he talked of his never-ending love story. He majored on trademark humility and I-can’t-believe-this-is-happening-to-me moments and, as if to complete the Gwyneth Paltrow schtick, there were tears. Or, at least, references to them.

“When I left this club, I cried,” Henry said. “I cried for the statue [of himself, which was unveiled at Emirates Stadium last month]. I haven’t cried a lot in my career but when I do, it seems that something is happening with Arsenal. I can be a pain at times but I love the club. They say love is blind but it is difficult for me to say ‘No’ to Arsenal.”

Henry is back, on a wave of emotion, undercut by painstaking expectation management, having seen his loan move from the New York Red Bulls signed off just before midday yesterday, making him eligible to play in Monday night’s FA Cup tie at home to Leeds United. He is not yet fit enough for 90 minutes but Arsene Wenger, the manager, suggested he would feature.

The 34-year-old has signed until February 16th, with an option to stay for an extra 10 days, which the Red Bulls hold. Arsenal play Tottenham Hotspur at home on February 26th, a date lost on nobody, particularly not Henry. The MLS season kicks off on March 10th. Henry will be added to Arsenal’s Champions League squad and he will be available for the first leg of the last-16 tie away to Milan on February 15th but not the return on March 6th. Manchester United’s Premier League visit on January 22nd is also on his mind.

“Arsenal and me has always been a love story, with some bad days,” Henry said. “Hopefully people agree with me that there were more good days than bad days but I just love Arsenal football club. When the club you love asks you just to be a squad player, so be it. I just love the club so much.

“Arsenal are the only club that could make me come back and play, and actually did. I also want to send a message to the Red Bulls and my fans and team-mates there – I said I was never going to come back and play in Europe, but it becomes hard when it comes to Arsenal and my heart. When it comes down to Arsenal my heart will always do the talking.”

The Arsenal faithful will see a different Henry from the one who left for Barcelona in 2007, after eight seasons at the club, 370 appearances and a record 226 goals. For a start, he has taken the number 12 shirt, which he used to wear for France. The electric pace has gone; so, too, has a little of the strength and a lot of the selfishness.

“He is like everyone who develops in life, he is more open to people,” Wenger said. “When you are a young striker, you are more focused on yourself and today, what he can give to others is of a higher level than he could do five or six years ago.”

Wenger, though, believes that his protege retains his touch, passing ability and overall quality. “I am not 25 any more,” Henry added. “I remember Dennis Bergkamp . . . he was playing behind the striker [in his later years] and if you have the awareness to see things before players, you can get away with not having your legs.

“Ryan Giggs is not the same Ryan Giggs but he can see the game. He is always available, he puts himself in a position where he can receive the ball alone and then you will never lose your touch. That’s what I am going to try to bring to this team if I have to play.”

Wenger admitted that with Thomas Vermaelen out with a calf problem for at least another two weeks, he would prioritise the search for on-loan cover at left-back while he also expressed his frustration at Ivory Coast, who have insisted Gervinho joins up with them on Saturday for the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning Arsenal’s plea to keep him for the Leeds tie has gone unanswered.

Morocco have been more flexible over Marouane Chamakh and they have allowed him to report after the Leeds game.

“With Ivory Coast, we have always the same problem,” said Wenger. “And Francois Zahoui [the coach] is a friend. I had him as a player at Nancy. But I do not want to take advantage. If I keep Gervinho, and Yaya and Kolo Toure [the Manchester City players] have to go on Sunday, it would be unfair.”