Champions League: We can reign in Spain - Henry

Striker Thierry Henry warned the trio of Spanish clubs left in the Champions League quarter-finals to underestimate the Gunners at their peril.

Henry accepts that Arsenal were fortunate to reach the last eight after their 1-0 defeat at Bayern Munich, even if he dismissed Arsene Wenger's idea that his team could have been "scared" before kick-off.

But the French international knows that a tough challenge lies ahead in Friday's draw.

The North London club will be pitted against either holders Real Madrid, last season's finalists Valencia or La Liga defending champions Deportivo la Coruna.

It is clear that they will have to raise their game considerably from their woeful display in Munich if they are to make further progress.

But Henry insists that Arsenal have already proved - after losing their opening group game 4-1 to Spartak Moscow and then drawing at home to Bayern - that they come out fighting when their backs are to the wall.

"Some people were thinking we couldn't go through when we lost 4-1 at Moscow and drew 2-2 against Bayern," he said.

"Even when we drew 1-1 against Lyon some people wondered whether we would go through. But we still had to play Moscow and Bayern so it wasn't finished.

"People were also saying it would be so easy for Manchester United but Leeds went through first so you have to give credit to them as well.

"We had a bit of difficulty but we are also through now. It won't be that easy but nothing is impossible.

"Okay, we lost in Munich but when we have had to do it, then we've done it. When we had to go to Lyon and win, we did it."

Asked if Arsenal could now pose a challenge to win the Champions League, Henry responded: "Of course. People ask us whether we are scared of the other teams and which team we would prefer to play.

"But the other teams know it is really difficult to play at Highbury as it is really tight and the fans can put pressure on the other team.

"Okay, we were leading 2-0 against Bayern and had a lack of concentration but we haven't lost one game apart from a Worthington Cup tie at Highbury this season.

"La Coruna know what it is like as we played them last season and beat them over two legs in the Uefa Cup."

Underpinning Henry's desire to make further progress in the Champions League is his determination not to rest on his laurels.

"It's the toughest competition, the Champions League. It's a must for me with my team. So of course it is important to win it," he declared.

"That's why I'm playing football. Otherwise I would stay at home, watch television and have a pizza in front of the game."