Wenger eager for quick Henry deal

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger will push for Thierry Henry to sign his new contract as soon as possible after opening talks with the French superstar.

Henry confirmed yesterday that negotiations were finally underway about a new deal and then celebrated with a glorious hat-trick in the 7-0 demolition of Middlesbrough.

The striker’s current deal expires next year and Arsenal will be even more determined to get their influential captain to commit himself after Saturday’s wonder show against Steve McClaren’s struggling Boro.

Arsenal demonstrated their future ambitions last week with the signing of French Under-19 international Vasiriki Abou Diaby and Togo international striker Emmanuel Adebayor from Monaco.

Wenger is still hopeful that Arsenal will also win the race to land Southampton’s teenage sensation Theo Walcott but admits he also keen to get Henry’s future sorted out as soon as possible.

Henry has refused to put a time limit on when he will finally put pen to paper, adding that there is much to talk about yet, but Wenger has other ideas.

Wenger confirmed: “We are already in talks with him. It is still early but we hope we will get to a happy conclusion with him.

“I feel he trusts us as a club and trusts the direction in which we want to go. The fact he has said his desire is to stay here is a huge mark of trust towards the directors and staff and he knows how ambitious we are.

“He knows we want to be the best and have the best players here – and obviously the quicker we can sign the deal the better for everyone. I would say it should be a matter of weeks rather than months.”

Henry was exceptional against Middlesbrough and on his day it is doubtful there is a player who can match him for sheer pace, power, guile and trickery.

His hat-trick strike in the 68th minute, Arsenal’s sixth of the day, not only capped a glorious performance but equalled Highbury legend Cliff Bastin’s record of 150 league goals for the club.

But Henry was more focused on Arsenal catching rivals Spurs and finishing in the top four to secure a Champions League place next season.

Henry said: “It is vital for everyone, for me, the club, and the fans, to be in the Champions League next season.

“We are not that far away but it is really important and crucial for us. If we can carry on doing what we did against Middlesbrough then we can consider the top four positions.”

Arsenal’s drubbing of miserable Middlesbrough equalled their previous best Premiership haul against Everton last May but Henry had little impact in that success.

However, nobody could deny he was the inspiration behind their scintillating performance on Saturday although he made light of equalling Bastin’s haul of 150 league strikes.

“It was fantastic to play in,” said Henry. “I was on the bench when we won 7-0 against Everton last year and was not really involved in any of the goals.

“I knew I wasn’t far away from the league record of Cliff Bastin but I didn’t know how many goals I needed to score. I didn’t go on the pitch thinking I needed to equal his record.”

Boro boss McClaren admitted his side had taken a beating but was desperately hoping they could pick themselves up in time to overcome Nuneaton in the FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday night.

McClaren’s team finished the game down to 10 men after Doriva was sent off for two bookable offences and with six teenagers on the pitch.

Arsenal were 4-0 up at the break with two from Henry plus goals from Philippe Senderos and Robert Pires. Gilberto made it five in the second half before Henry completed his treble and Alex Hleb rounded off the scoring with five minutes to go.

McClaren said: “We have to bounce back from this on Tuesday. We’ve got to make our response then. The next game is always going to be difficult because you have always got this wound to heal. It is going to be a difficult game against them (Nuneaton).

“People will say we could have lingering effects from this but we will soon find out. I’ve told them there will be better days ahead but let’s make sure we start on Tuesday.”