Gunners boss denies rift with Henry

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger insists there is no rift between him and Thierry Henry over the striker’s decision to delay contract talks.

Henry does not want to enter discussions on his future until the end of the season, when he will have just 12 months to run on his current deal.

Spanish giants Barcelona are said to be interested in taking Henry to the Nou Camp and they could do so at a cut price if Henry does not agree a new contract.

But Wenger revealed yesterday he is unconcerned by the delay.

"You have to respect his view," Wenger said.

"Our desire is to talk about it earlier but you can only talk about it when both parties are ready. We will do it when he is ready. We are always ready and you have to respect everybody's mind."

Henry has missed six games most recently last weekend's 1-0 victory over Birmingham but hopes to return against West Brom next weekend.

Wenger also expects to be without England left-back Ashley Cole for up to six weeks after it was confirmed he had suffered a stress fracture of his foot.

"We suspected something and when he was X-rayed with the national team it showed a stress fracture," Wenger said.

"It's a big blow because we have stability at the back and Ashley is a top-quality player so ideally you want him to there because we have some big games coming up. I think we will be without him for four to six weeks."

Meanwhile, Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy wants to stay at Old Trafford beyond his existing contract.

The 29-year-old, who signed a new United deal until 2008 in January last year, has been linked with a move to La Liga and possibly Real Madrid at the end of the season.

But van Nistelrooy, who apologised to his Holland team-mates after he was involved in a skirmish with defender Ron Vlaar during a training session on Thursday, said: "I am not interested in a transfer, not this year and also not during my contract. And I hope I will play in Manchester after that."

Paul Scholes also insists he wants to end his career at Old Trafford.

He said: "I really can't imagine playing anywhere else and I don't want to either.

"It's never been something that's interested me at all so it's never become an issue really.

"Obviously in football you never know and there may come a time when the manager doesn't want you any more and you have to go. But that would be the only reason that I would leave."