EDDIE Howe described as "really beneficial" the visit of former Arsenal star Thierry Henry to speak to his Cherries players.

Twice a Premier League winner with the Gunners, Henry was several weeks ago drafted in to give an insight into his career.

Howe, whose team entertain Arsenal on Sunday (1.30pm), felt his players had benefited hugely from hearing the wisdom of the 1998 World Cup winner.

The Cherries boss said: "We got Thierry in to talk to the players as we do from time to time with various people we think could have an impact on them.

"I thought Thierry was excellent. He spoke at length to the players about his career, things he did and how he was so successful. It was a really beneficial talk."

Asked which aspects of Henry's words had struck him, Howe said: "I think it was a combination of things – definitely the mental side, his dedication to his sport and his desire to be the best.

"There were various things in there we found useful and if it's just one thing a player finds inspiring, I think it's worthwhile.

"It was interesting to see how they reacted to what he said and, hopefully, they took something away which will affect them for the future."

Howe is set to make late calls on Joshua King and Junior Stanislas ahead of the visit of Arsenal.

Former Cherries loan star Jack Wilshere has been declared fit to feature for the visitors despite an ankle injury scare in midweek.

Mesut Ozil is rated 50-50 with a knee problem while Aaron Ramsey is in contention to return following a hamstring injury.