Henry won't rush decision on future

Thierry Henry admits he feels a “special relationship” with the Arsenal supporters, but will not be rushed into a decision over his future.

The Gunners captain has one more year left to run on his contract, but so far has resisted all the offers to commit himself to the club on a long-term basis.

Henry, 28, insisted his commitment on the pitch was enough to prove to the fans how much he loves Arsenal.

And the Frenchman used his programme notes ahead of last night’s Champions League semi-final first leg with Villarreal to reiterate that stance.

“My position regarding my future remains the same. I will make a decision before the World Cup,” Henry wrote.

“I would like to say that I have always loved the Highbury crowd and feel there is a special relationship between us, but I still do not take your support for granted, none of us do.”

The Arsenal captain helped his side take a 1-0 lead from last night’s game, during which he had an effort ruled out for what looked to be a poor offside decision.

Henry, though, was content enough with Arsenal’s narrow victory, secured by a late first-half goal from defender Kolo Toure.

“It is a big result because we did not concede a goal,” Henry said on Sky Sports.

“One-nil is better than 2-1, so we have shown we can keep a clean sheet. I would like to see them having a go at us and then we can play a bit of the counter attack because even at 1-0 they did not try anything or come at us.

“They are going to have a go at us and then we can play a bit.”

Henry expressed surprise at Villarreal’s reaction to Arsenal’s goal, expecting them to have posed more questions.

He did, however, admit they are only halfway through the tie and must come through what will be a tough challenge next week in Spain if they are to reach the Champions League final for the first time.

“I thought we got the luck we deserved – but we are not in the final. We are halfway through and 1-0 up,” the French World Cup winner said.

“They made it really difficult for us after we went 1-0 up, they did not really come at us. They were trying to get free-kicks around the box.

“We have shown we can do a job away from home, but it is going to be very difficult.”

Henry also insisted his disallowed goal had been legal. “I thought I was not offside,” he declared. “It was a goal, and thankfully Kolo scored for us.

“It is a bit unlucky. I was 100% sure I was onside – but what goes around comes around and hopefully we can get something over there.”