Arsenal told to sign Henry, Poldi

Strike duo Thierry Henry and Lukas Podolski would fit right in at Arsenal, according to Gunners defender Per Mertesacker.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is contemplating a loan move for his former captain Henry, who has been training at London Colney and will not be back in competitive action with the New York Red Bulls until the opening of the Major League Soccer season in March. The Gunners have also been heavily linked with Cologne striker Podolski, as Wenger looks for attacking cover when the transfer window opens again in January.

Mertesacker has seen first hand what both men can offer, training alongside Henry in recent weeks and playing against Podolski in the Bundesliga with Werder Bremen as well as with him for Germany.

The centre-half said: "Henry has a lot of experience and he is a great opportunity for us, but I am not the manager and I do not know what is possible, for him or for us. In training, Henry shows his class and [it is good] to have him with us."

Mertesacker, 27, signed for Arsenal just ahead of the August transfer deadline and has now settled into the hustle and bustle of top-flight English football. And he feels Podolski, 26, could make a similar positive transition.

"He is a powerful, great player, especially for the national team. He has scored a lot of goals, is a good striker with a very good finish. His left foot is unbelievable and I am a fan of him," he said.