Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may not be bringing record goalscorer Thierry Henry back to the club but has promised to be active in the January transfer window.

The Gunners have only impres­sed fits and starts this season, with an inconsistency in performances leaving them fifth in the standings.

That was epitomised on Tuesday as a number of recent impressive results were followed up by a poor display at Southampton, where they were lucky to secure a point.

Wenger was angered by his players’ lack of mental sharpness and admits he is looking to strengthen this month.

“I will be active, yes,” the Frenchman said.

“Will I be concrete? I hope so.

“We are looking everywhere, we are open-minded. We want to strengthen the squad if possible if we find the right players.”

Wenger, though, will not be brining Henry back to north London.

The 35-year-old returned to the Emirates Stadium on a short-term loan this time last year and had been lined up for a similar move this January.

However, after much talk, Wenger revealed he will not be returning to Arsenal.

“I think he goes away somewhere,” he said.

“He is not ready, he has just come back from holiday anyway. At the moment we are not on that case.”

Asked for clarification, he said: “No (it is not happening)”.

Henry would have proved handy yesterday at St Mary’s, where the Gunners mustered few chances of note.

They fell behind to a Gaston Ramirez effort after 34 minutes but left with a 1-1 draw after Guly do Prado put into his own goal.

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