Henry confirms injury extent

Thierry Henry has revealed that he will be sidelined until the New Year.

The French star has a sciatic nerve problem, which he admits he has been carrying for around three months.

The Arsenal captain admits he will need to take around six weeks out of the game, but that may be not enough to cure the problem totally.

"I am going to have to once again stop playing, as I did after the [France] match in Dublin last season, when I picked up an Achilles tendon injury, but maybe for even longer this time," Henry told L'Equipe.

"I've been suffering for two or three months now, and the pain is amplified by the sciatic nerve.

"I need to say 'stop' for a month, or even a month and a-half. A lot of time is needed for the pain to go.

"After some 60 matches in 2006, the body says 'stop'. And you need to listen to it."

Henry was left out of the North London derby victory because of the problem, although he has already denied reports he stormed out of the club's training ground after a spat with boss Arsene Wenger on Friday.

"Yes, I'm annoyed, because I can't help my team on the pitch. It's something I have difficulty in accepting. But I have not fallen out with Arsene Wenger," he insisted.

"Is there a divorce between me and Arsene Wenger? No. I completely maintain my last words which I said to L'Equipe before.[November 13 when Henry said he was satisfied with the summer reinforcements and he did not feel betrayed.]

Arsenal are desperate to play down talk of a row between their two biggest icons and they could even take the unusual step of issuing a joint-denial to further underline there is no fall-out at Emirates Stadium.

On Sunday reports in France carried quotes from one of his international team-mates attacking him - even suggesting he was a 'big-head', although the player in question was not named.

Henry cast doubt over the truth of the reports as the name of the player was not mentioned..

"It looks like a set-up," he said. "But if there is anything, it is a shame to be so mean.

"Moreover it is very courageous to talk without giving his name. But it is simple; it is true that I am an awkward so-and-so.

"Sometimes I like to be right even if I am wrong."

However, Henry denied that he was looking to control the French side and that he played a part in getting David Trezeguet dropped. 

"Saying I want to get the power in French team, no," he continued. 

"Saying I wanted to play 4-5-1, no. Everyone who knows me, knows I prefer to play with a team-mate up-front. Saying I pushed my friend David out of the team, no I have always backed David in French team."