Henry dismisses Barca 'speculation'

Thierry Henry today hit out at constant speculation surrounding his future - and insisted “nothing has changed” as he continues talks with Arsenal over a new contract.

The 28-year-old French World Cup winner has declared his desire to remain in north London, but as yet no new deal has been formally agreed.

Barcelona president Joan Laporta is a keen admirer of Henry, although the club themselves have officially refuse to comment on the possibility of the striker moving to the Nou Camp.

That stance, however, has not stopped the issue being debated in the press, both here and in Spain.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger yesterday played down the reports as nothing more than unsubstantiated speculation, a stance which was echoed by Henry in his programme notes ahead of this afternoon’s Barclays Premiership clash with Charlton at Highbury.

“There have been some more stories about my future in the papers this week,” Henry wrote.

“The papers write what they want to write and I would just say this – there are no quotes from me in the story, no quotes from Barcelona, no quotes from anyone.

“If the papers want to speculate, they will speculate like they have done all season, but my position remains exactly the same.”

Henry insisted: “Nothing has changed in the past couple of weeks.”

A key issue is reported to be whether the Gunners can show Henry they are willing to match his own sporting ambition, and a move to the new 60,000-seat Emirates Stadium is certainly a step in the right direction.

The Gunners, though, are currently facing a real battle to secure Champions League football again next season.

Victory over Charlton today would, temporarily at least, take them back into the top four of the Premiership, while Serie A leaders Juventus await in the quarter-finals of Europe’s top competition later this month.