Arsenal FC: Why Thierry Henry Isn't the Best Striker Solution for the Gunners

Let's get this straight: I want Arsenal to re-sign Thierry Henry.

I think Henry can be a fantastic substitute to have on hand at the end of a challenging game. He can provide welcome relief to Robin van Persie, and he would be an excellent role model to Arsenal's current crop of youngsters.

However, I am wary of being taken away by nostalgia. Henry would be, after all, a role player. At 34, he is nearing the end of his career, and he has not played in a league comparable to the Premier League for years.

And, most importantly, his signing would not be on a permanent basis. All reports indicate that any deal would be of the loan variety, and it would only last two months; in other words, until the commencement of the Major League Soccer season.

Let's remember, too, Arsenal's issues at striker are very deep-seated. Yes, we will be losing Marouane Chamakh to the African Cup of Nations for a period, but few believe that he will be such a different player when he returns and will actually be worthy of stepping onto a football pitch in an Arsenal kit.

We do have Ju Young Park, a player whom I would like to see more of, but a move for Henry would clearly signal how much faith—or lack thereof—Arsene Wenger has in his South Korean striker, who has still logged an equal amount of Premier League minutes for Arsenal as I have.

A much better option than Park, Henry would put another layer of insulation between the Korean and the first team, freezing him out of any first-team opportunities.

Again, none of this is to say that we should not acquire Thierry Henry. The most sensible way to approach reinforcing the strike force is to bring in Henry on a loan deal, while also purchasing another, longer-term option who can help Arsenal for years at a higher level.

While there are many options available to fill this hole, the one that clearly makes the most sense is German international, Lukas Podolski.

The 26-year-old is one of those players whose sole purpose in life is to put a football in the back of a net, and with an amazing 95 international caps and 43 goals to his name, his quality cannot be disputed.

Furthermore, Podolski can play on the wing, as well as his natural striker slot, providing an extra layer of cover for Gervinho, who also leaves for the ACN in a few weeks.

Players who possess this type of versatility are quite attractive to Wenger, as he feels he can get maximum return for his transfer fee; and he certainly can in the case of Podolski.

Compatriot Per Mertesacker has trumpeted his national teammate's qualities as a footballer, calling Podolski's left foot "amazing" and recognizing him as a skillful and powerful finisher.

Even though I would love to see Podolski put on an Arsenal kit and light up the Emirates Stadium, it does not necessarily have to be the German to come in and assist van Persie in his striking duties.

Any relatively young, top-level striker who has a knack for scoring goals and can stick around for a while would constitute an astute purchase.

Unfortunately, Thierry Henry does not tick all those boxes. His purchase would merely be a band-aid solution, with too many caveats to be considered a great piece of business.

His signing would nevertheless be an exciting and useful one, and I still hope that he returns to North London sooner rather than later.

But while we're all trumpeting the return of the bronze-cast legend, let's not be blinded by nostalgia. Remember that the long-term future of a vital position is at stake.

And the temporary return of a fading great cannot truly solve one of the biggest problems at the club.

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