"We are all very sad to see him going and we didn't expect him to be so important for us when he signed," manager Arsene Wenger told Sky Sports. "But he grew into the team very quickly and, of course, his talent on the pitch. He's still much sharper than I expected him to be after having been out in the States."
Henry's short-term loan from the New York Red Bulls has been largely successful. He added three more goals to his club-record tally (229) in the six games in which he played. Two were game-winners, including the Hollywood-esque strike to mark his return.
His impact has been felt off the field as well. He's served as a role model to many of Arsenal's young players, including 18-year-old winger Alex Oxlaide-Chamberlain.
When Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007, he was arguably its greatest-ever player. The club unveiled a statue of the 34-year-old outside the Emirates Stadium in December. Henry joined the club for offseason training the previous month, and the time spent together rekindled old feelings.
His Arsenal return became official in early January, but Wednesday will mark his farewell. The Red Bulls open their 2012 MLS season on March 11, and he will re-join the team — as its captain — for the final weeks of preseason in peak phyical condition.
"I'm quite surprised because I expected him to have more health problems," Wenger said. "He left top level European football because he was a bit concerned with his knee problems or tendons, but he's in very good shape."
Henry told Arsenal.com that he's not given the occasion any special consideration. He is preparing for the big European night the same way he has done so many times before.
"I have not thought about it," he said. "I just want to help Arsenal on the night. I am an Arsenal player for one more game.
"Milan is Milan. It is another type of game and it is never easy to win away in the Champions League."
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