Henry dreams of another Paris party

THIERRY HENRY knows more hard work lies ahead before he can allow himself to dream about a return to the Stade de France to lead Arsenal out at the Champions League final in Paris.

Having seen off runaway Serie A leaders Juventus, following the dismissal of Spanish giants Real Madrid in the previous round, there is a growing feeling this could be Arsenal’s year.

First of course, the Gunners have to get past Villarreal - themselves making it to the semi- final stage during what has been a remarkable debut season in the competition.

Henry, though, would like nothing more than to enjoy another memorable evening in the Parisian suburbs where he claimed the game’s biggest prize on home soil eight years’ ago.

“You never know what can happen. It is true there is a story, people can already see that,” the World Cup winner reflected.

“But we are not there yet, and surely have not won it yet. I do understand the final is in Paris - but I am not the only one, you have Abou Diaby and (Alexandre) Song from there too. It is not that big a story, but obviously you cannot not mention it when you talk about me.

“You can say also Milan want to make it because of what happened last season to them, you can also say the same of Ronaldinho because he used to play for Paris St-Germain.

“But let’s make sure we can reach the final, and before we can do that, we have to play Villarreal. They will not be easy.”

Henry added: “For everyone at this club, reaching the semi-final for the first time is something pretty good. Everyone is happy about it, and you can understand that. But we need to extend it, and see where we can go.

“I would like to go all the way and win the thing. We all need to make it happen.”

It is a renewed sense of togetherness which has helped Arsenal’s young side progress in recent months, manager Arsene Wenger feeling they have come of age in recent weeks.

Henry, 28, declared: “The way we have been playing is tremendous, and also the way we defend is great. You can see that everyone is willing to work for each other.

“Everyone is really committed on the pitch, and you see that sometimes we do shout at each other - that is what it takes sometimes to go through in some games. The most important thing is the way we defend at the moment, which is all together.

“We know we can create chances, but at one point we had that thing about us that people were saying when the game gets tough, when things are not going our way, it is a bit more difficult.

“Now we are making things difficult for the other team and make sure that when we hit them, we do it.”

Given all of their problems with consistency and injury to key personnel, it would indeed be a remarkable achievement should this Arsenal team be the one to win Europe’s top club prize.

“I still think what we are doing with such a young squad is something you cannot put on the side - it is something great,” said Henry.

* Robert Pires has denied agreeing to join Villarreal when his Arsenal contract expires in the summer. Despite reports claiming the former Marseille man was incensed at being left out of the starting line-up for the draw against Juventus, the player has still to decide on his future.

“The Italian press says I am going to Roma or to Fiorentina,” he said. “The Scottish press says I’m going to Rangers. I am supposed to be going everywhere, but the truth is I have still not decided.

“It makes me laugh. I will make the decision but it is also nice to be watched by other clubs.”