Commitment is seen on the pitch, insists Henry

THIERRY HENRY has insisted his commitment on the pitch is enough proof of how much he loves Arsenal as he refused last night to become embroiled in a debate over his future with the club.

Henry has one year left on his current deal but has not yet committed himself to a long-term contract.

However, his steadfast refusal to give any indication towards his future plans was finally shaken when he was quizzed as to whether he felt he owed it to the fans to provide them with an answer.

"Who do I owe, and for what?" retorted a stunned Henry.

"Don't you see my commitment on the pitch? I think you can see it.

"I'm a human being like you are, and need time to take my decision, that's all. I don't think about the word owe. I owe something to my Dad, yes, who put me on this planet.

"We are here talking about the semi-final and we are here to talk about a great opportunity for the club. I think sometimes it's a bit of a shame that people single me out and try to speak about other stuff."

The France striker, 28, was more keen to discuss the hurt he has felt every time Arsenal have failed to do well in the Champions League. He will make his 101st appearance in the competition and is just one goal short of his 50th in European football.

"Since the beginning, I wanted to win the competition and obviously it's a fact that's the big thing missing on my CV," said Henry.

"It has been missing for me and for the club and the only players that had won it in the team before were Kanu and Marc Overmars. So we all have that hunger. Every year we've felt we need to win it.

"When we were unbeaten, we said we have to win it and we didn't. Every year our mind is the same on the Champions League. We always try to win the thing."