By Sami Mokbel
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Thierry Henry is set to make his third Arsenal debut in the FA Cup clash against Swansea on January 6.
The Gunners are in advanced talks with New York Red Bulls over a loan spell that will start five days earlier.
And manager Arsene Wenger hopes Henry can feature in his side's FA Cup third round tie.
Welcome back: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger with Thierry Henry
A deal has been agreed in principle but the two clubs remain in discussions over the length of the loan deal.
Wenger wants Henry, 35, until the end of the season but the MLS club are reluctant to lose their striker for that period of time.
The Red Bulls would prefer to have their star striker back for the start of their season in March.
Henry will be the first January arrival at the Emirates Stadium - and Wenger hopes at least two more will follow.
Holland striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is a prime target, as is Crystal Palace whizzkid Wilfried Zaha.
Good news for Arsenal came in Jack Wilshere saying he was approaching full fitness.
'I have got better every game. [I'm] maybe 90%,' Wilshere said. 'I'm not sure. Every game that goes by I feel better and better fitness-wise.
'When I get up to 100% I will really show what I can do.'
That is not to say the midfielder is throwing caution to the wind during his rehabilitation.
'It's a new experience for, my first injury," he added. "I didn't know what to expect.
Loan deal: Henry is set to join Arsenal in time for the FA Cup next month
'I spoke to a few players who have had long-term injuries. They said you will come back and have a good game and you think 'I am back,' then you will have another game and you are not so good.
'I think the first few games my adrenalin got me through which is why I was so up for it. Then you start to realise it is not as simple as that and things start catching up with you. Then you start to get back to your best.'
Manager Arsene Wenger expects Wilshere will be back to his best by February, which will give him time to gel with the likes of Mikel Arteta, who slotted both of Arsenal's penalties in their 2-0 win over the Baggies.
Boost: Jack Wilshere is approaching full fitness
'He's great,' Wilshere said of Arteta. 'Tactically, his positioning is the best around. He is not the biggest lad but the amount of balls he wins in the air is good. He has adapted well.
'He's an older player and is great for the younger players. You can talk to him on the pitch and off the pitch.
'I speak to him during the game. I say "Mikel, if you want to go forward I will sit" so there is a good understanding there.
'He knows I want to go forward and get on the scoresheet but he is the same. At Everton he was our most attacking midfielder. There is a bit of both but he lets me go more than he does.'
Can he just sign a permanent deal and end his career with us?
- Mahmoud , Birmingham, 10/12/2012 06:41
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