Wenger: Henry class when not scoring

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger insists he is not worried by Thierry Henry’s current goal drought.

The French striker has failed to find the net in the past four Gunners games, a relatively barren run during a superb 31-goal campaign.

Henry’s apparent dip in form has had no noticeable effect on the Highbury club’s title charge, and if he finds his goal touch against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium tonight, Arsenal will have one hand wrapped firmly around the Premiership trophy.

In any case, according to Wenger, scoring goals or not, Henry is a vital member of his team.

‘‘There will always be a period when he doesn’t score,’’ said the Frenchman.

‘‘But in a successful team, the most important thing is that he does his job as a team player.

‘‘What is outstanding about Thierry is that he provides goals for other people.

‘‘He didn’t score against West Ham the other night but his overall performance was superb. That is why I like strikers who are not only goalscorers.’’

Wenger admits there is one part of Henry’s game which is still weak. The striker’s lack of appetite for heading the ball has seen him handed the role of corner-kick expert this term.

And, although happy with Henry’s set-piece delivery, Wenger is working hard to try and improve the French international’s heading skills.

‘‘Thierry is not especially keen to go for the headers, so he takes the corners because we don’t have anyone on the right who can provide the same delivery.

‘‘But I would like to develop his heading. He is tall and very strong and could be a really good header of the ball.’’

Manchester United’s controversial win at Ipswich on Saturday prevents the Gunners wrapping up the title tonight.

However, three points would mean they could afford to lose the crunch clash at Old Trafford on May 8 and still seal their first championship since 1998 by beating Everton at Highbury on the final day of the season.

Any slip-up at Bolton though and United’s superior goal difference gives them a vital edge leading up to what Sir Alex Ferguson claimed would be ‘‘the biggest game in a decade’’.

Sol Campbell is likely to return for the Gunners after recovering from the hamstring strain which had threatened his participation in next weekend’s FA Cup final clash with Chelsea.

Arsenal have hardly been convincing in recent weeks, grinding out home wins against Tottenham, Ipswich and West Ham all with the aid of second-half goals.

With Henry on temporary ceasefire, midfielder Freddie Ljungberg has taken on the role of sharp-shooter, netting in all three wins.

The Swedish international, who sports a trademark red streak through his hair, admits that having arrived in England from Halmstad as an attacking player, he adopted his role on the right with some reluctance.

‘‘It was a massive surprise when the manager put me there because I felt I wouldn’t do myself justice,’’ he said.

‘‘In Sweden I had been used to playing just behind the strikers and when you come to a new country you want to make a positive impression and show the fans what you can do.

‘‘But in some senses, it is easier to score goals when you are coming from midfield. I have worked hard and am enjoying myself now.’’

Ljungberg arrived at Highbury in the wake of the 1998 Double triumph and has since had to be content with second best.

After three successive title runners-up spots, he thought his goal had given the Gunners the FA Cup last season, only for Michael Owen’s late double to snatch victory for Liverpool.

Over the next two weeks, he should finally get his hands on a winner’s medal, probably two.

‘‘I found it hard to settle when I first moved to London, particularly off the pitch because I didn’t know anyone,’’ he said.

‘‘But now I have some friends away from football and that makes it a lot easier to relax.

‘‘People have been saying some nice things about me and some big teams are reported to be asking about me.

‘‘That’s an honour in itself, although I am very happy at Arsenal and am not looking to leave.

‘‘I moved here because I thought Arsenal were a great club and I want to win trophies with them.

‘‘I won the league and the cup in Sweden and I want to do the same here.’’