Arsenal boss Wenger admits no chance of extending Henry loan

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thierry Henry will return to New York Red Bulls after their Champions League clash with AC Milan.

Wenger confirmed Arsenal will not extend the 34-year-old's loan spell by a fortnight, as was initially hoped.

That means Henry will not play against rivals Tottenham in two weeks.

Wenger said: "There is clarification about Thierry, it will be February 16 when he leaves. Just after Milan — no return to the North London derby.

"He would have had a psychological impact on the derby but it did not work. I would have loved him to stay two more weeks but he has to go back to New York.

"We accepted at the start of the loan that we would release him on February 16. So we respect our word. He thinks as well it would be too late."