Arsenal Must Not Repeat Their Patrick Vieira Mistake with Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry announced his decision on Monday to leave the New York Red Bulls via his Facebook account. Four minutes later, he changed his social media page’s background to a picture of his statue looking out across the Emirates Stadium's vast concourse.

The message was clear: Henry wants to come home. 

Arsenal should welcome him with open arms, in whatever capacity Henry desires. The fans couldn’t bear to see another iconic Gunner working elsewhere in the Premier League, as is currently the case with Patrick Vieira at Manchester City. Vieira is regarded as one of the greatest players in Arsenal’s history. For the club’s supporters, the prospect of him being groomed as City’s eventual manager feels entirely wrong. 

The bond between Henry and Arsenal might be strong enough to prevent such a defection. Unlike Vieira, Henry never played for another English club. Speaking to French outlet L’Equipe (h/t Get French Football News), Henry admitted that he considers London his home: 

"

They adopted me and I am at home over there. My 'home sweet home' is London. My club, is Arsenal. When I put on that red and white shirt it gave me the same effect as the French shirt. Like when Clark Kent puts on Superman’s cape. I become somebody else, somebody stronger. Since my first season, I wanted to do that for my whole career… When I left the club, a part of me died. I cried.

"

Henry has already made one return during a fairytale loan spell. Now, the time may have arrived for a third and final coming.

Clive Mason/Getty Images

Fortunately, Arsene Wenger seems open to the prospect. It had been speculated that he may have felt his authority would have been threatened by the arrival of a figure of Vieira’s stature, but he seems at ease with the possibility of Henry’s return, telling Rob Kelly of Arsenal.com: "He is an Arsenal man - the best moments of his life and career have been experienced here. Certainly one day he will come back here. In what role I don’t know, that is what he has to think about: what direction he wants to give to his next life."

That really is the question that Henry must answer now: In what capacity does he want to return to Arsenal?  

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His playing days are surely behind him. Henry knows he can quit now with his reputation intact. His time with the New York Red Bulls saw him winding down to retirement but not losing his touch: In four seasons, he racked up 52 goals and 49 assists.

Henry is hugely conscious of his public image. Having protected his standing for so long, he will not want to taint his standing by outstaying his welcome. 

He has already dabbled in punditry, and if he is undecided as to how to move his career forward, that could be a way of stalling for time while remaining in the game. Gary Neville is a good example: He took up his position with Sky Sports, before later accepting a coaching role with the England senior team.

Wenger has no doubt that Henry has the attributes required to make a good coach: "He has all the qualities [to be a coach] because he is intelligent, committed, he loves the game. He just has to think, 'Do I want to sacrifice all the rest of my life to be involved in that job?'"

Henry’s presence among the coaching staff at Arsenal would give everyone a huge lift. Imagine what the likes of Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck could learn from practising every day with one of the game’s greatest finishers.

There’s also the possibility of an executive role for Henry. Arsenal’s current board is lacking in youth, diversity and football knowledge. Appointing Henry to liaise between the directors and the playing side would certainly enliven the board room and potentially help build an infrastructure robust enough to survive Wenger’s eventual retirement. 

As of yet, Henry is undecided about his next step; however, he is clear about his ultimate ambition, telling L’Equipe (via Get French Football News):

"

Nothing is clear. I have not taken a decision yet and speculating isn’t my thing. One thing is certain: I will stay in football, to manage, as a pundit, as a director, we will soon see. The second thing that is certain: I would like to see Arsenal win the Champions League. After that, whether I am witnessing it from afar or from close by, it doesn’t depend solely on me, but it is certain that I would like to help. Because it is my club and as a player I never succeeded in giving it the Champions League.

"

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

If Henry is willing to offer his help, Arsenal should undoubtedly accept it. Whatever path he chooses, he should pursue it in London. Henry and Arsenal belong together.

James McNicholas is Bleacher Report's lead Arsenal correspondent and is following the club from a London base throughout the 2014-15 season. Follow him on Twitter here.