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I'm dedicated to Arsenal, says Henry
LONDON: New Arsenal skipper Thierry Henry insisted on Thursday that he is committed to the Gunners and wants to stay with the club for as long as he is wanted. The 27-year-old has two years left on his existing contract at Highbury and has been handed the captain's armband in the wake of Patrick Vieira's departure to Juventus. "I am really happy here, things are going well for me and I've just been named skipper. Like I've said so many times - as long as they want me, I will stay here," said the French star. "I've seen so many things written in the past two days and, all the time, people question my desire and commitment for the club. "But all the time I step on the pitch, I try to do my best. The only thing I can say is the talks are on and I just hope we can find an agreement." Henry may already be one of the highest-paid players at Arsenal, but he insists he has never been solely motivated by money. "I always say that I do something that I love. Even if I wasn't playing for Arsenal and I had to play in the back garden of my friend's house, I'd play the same way," he added. "I'd still argue the same way and still be trying some stuff. I'd still be unhappy or happy because I lost or won. I'm not demanding anything except to play and try to lead the team to some silverware. "I didn't come into football to win money. I came into football first of all to make my Dad proud because he was the most important influence on me at the time and I just wanted to make him happy. "Once I saw that I could do something with my feet, I just wanted to make sure people remember the sort of player I was. Wenger won't waste transfer kitty Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is adamant that he will not be tempted into wasting his remaining transfer kitty in an effort to keep up with Chelsea's multi-million pound spending. This summer, Chelsea have paid 21 million pounds for Shaun Wright-Phillips and have also recruited Asier del Horno while Michael Essien could still be on his way to Stamford Bridge from Lyon. In contrast, Arsenal have bought only Alexander Hleb in a deal that could be worth up to 10 million pounds, while Patrick Vieira was sold to Juventus for 13.7 million. "It is not Chelsea's fault or my fault, it is just like it is," said Wenger. "But everyone knows that they have plenty of money and, when they come in, they will buy for 20 million what otherwise costs 10 million. "Do you really think Wright-Phillips would have cost 21 million had Chelsea not come in for him? Frankly, we have to be honest. What would be his price?" When a figure of 10 million to 12 million was suggested, the Arsenal boss responded: "Exactly. There are two markets, one when Chelsea is in, which is quite lively and high, and one when Chelsea is not in, which is morose - all over Europe." "What do you want me to do, go to the casino with the money?" asked Wenger, who faces Chelsea in Sunday's Community Shield tie. "I could understand that the fans would be frustrated if we played bad football and didn't win our games but not because we haven't spent money. That's not a reason to be frustrated. "I am not envious of Chelsea. There is a way to be successful and beat Chelsea despite the fact that they have more money than anybody else. "There are enough good players in the world that you can always get good players. Real Madrid have spent more than Valencia, but they haven't won any trophies for two years."
(China Daily 08/06/2005 page11)
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