Arsenal vs Chelsea: 'I will always see Cesc Fabregas as an Arsenal player, he should be applauded today,' says Thierry Henry

Fabregas, who left in 2011, returns to the home of the Gunners

Cesc Fabregas and Arsene Wenger together in 2011 (Getty)

Arsenal great Thierry Henry has said that Chelsea's Cesc Fabregas "will always be a Red" for him, and has urged Gunners' supporters to give him a good reception at the Emirates Stadium today when the Spaniard returns for the first time since leaving the club to join Barcelona in 2011.

"Fabregas will be wearing the blue shirt of Chelsea today - but in my eyes he will always be a Red," the Gunners record goalscorer wrote in his column for The Sun.

"I will always see him as an Arsenal player. He will always have that vibe. Ian Wright left the club and played for West Ham and Celtic, but he will always be Arsenal. Ray Parlour had 14 years at the club and then left for Middlesbrough — and I would say the same about him."

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Cesc Fabregas returns in Chelsea blue today (GETTY IMAGES)

Plenty has been reported about the expected hostile reception Fabregas will receive today, but Henry has urged home supporters to "clap" the 27-year-old.

"I am hearing he will not get a great reception from the Arsenal fans but I will be one of those clapping him. I hope a few more will join me."

Should Jose Mourinho's side win at the Emirates, then all they require is a win against Leicester on Wednesday and they will be crowned champions.