Henry reveals injury impact

Thierry Henry has admitted that injury restricted his performance last season.

Henry again proved to be a crucial cog of The Gunners' side as he claimed 25 goals and 14 assists to help the London side to second place behind rivals Chelsea.

However, after claiming the double awards of Footballer of the Year and PFA Player of the Year in both 2002 and 2003, Henry's consistent excellence was overshadowed by the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard who enjoyed stellar seasons for The Blues.

It is a testament to the ability of the new Gunners skipper that he was still able to dominate the top division's scoring charts despite being restricted in his movement, and Henry has explained that the troublesome Achilles injury he suffered proved detrimental to his trademark style of play.

"Since June 2004 I had a difficult season on a physical level," Henry told L'Equipe.

"It often handicapped me, notably my Achilles tendon trouble.

"I could only sprint at 80 percent of my ability without being able to run again and again, and when you know me, that is my major asset.

"I usually try to wear out defences, only work pays off.

"I wanted to work but my body didn't allow me any more."

After his haul last season, and three in three games already this term, the 28-year-old is now just two goals shy of surpassing Ian Wright's all-time goalscoring record for The Gunners.

Henry has never claimed less than 17 goals in a Premiership season since arriving at Highbury in 1999, although the talismanic attacker refuted suggestions that the English league is an easy hunting ground for the continental forward.

"People have that English football cliche, to them it is easy," Henry continued.

"But ask any player who has come to The Premier League if it is easy to make a name for himself.

"I have seen a lot of players leave, they came here great and they leave small."

Henry's immediate concern however will be with France as they prepare to face Ireland in a crucial World Cup qualifier at Lansdowne Road on Wednesday.

Les Bleus are in need of a victory if they are to kick on and secure automatic qualification for the finals in Germany next summer, and Henry is expecting the game to be a physical encounter in the mould of a Premiership tie.

"It won't be a great change to me, compared to the English league.

"I just hope we won't have any rain or wind.

"It will all be a fight matter, and nothing else. It can be our reference match."