It's up to Henry, says Wenger

Arsene Wenger admits he cannot banish fears over Thierry Henry's Arsenal future amid the striker's reluctance to hold contract talks until next summer.

However, Wenger has stressed he still believes Henry, who has revealed his debt of gratitude to the Gunners boss, can be persuaded his long-term future lies with the north London club.

Henry's achievement in setting a new club scoring mark with his two goals against Sparta Prague will be celebrated when former record-holder Ian Wright congratulates him on the Highbury pitch before Saturday's Premiership game against Manchester City.

However, many fans are still worried about Henry's future, with the Frenchman unwilling to discuss a new contract until next summer - even though his current deal runs out in 2007 - as he wants to concentrate on this season.

Wenger remains philosophical about the growing danger Henry could walk away from Highbury with his transfer price vastly reduced or even wait until he is available on a free transfer.

He admitted: "I'm not negative about it but, of course, you can say we're scared that we could lose him. I can't say that we're not."If he signs a contract extension tomorrow, he could still leave at the end of the season. If he says he wants to leave, who can stop him?"I don't deny there is danger in any situation, but if Thierry says he doesn't want to talk about it until the end of the season, you have to respect it.

"What should I do - hang him up and tell him he has to talk? What can you ask of a player who is under contract and comes on for you after injury and scores two goals to win the game?"Henry, who insisted at the start of this season he would stay at Arsenal "for as long as they want me", side-stepped questions over his future when he appeared in public on Friday to discuss his historic scoring record.

But he did pay a fulsome tribute to Wenger's integral role in his development, bringing him through the youth ranks at Monaco and then transforming him from a winger into a world-class striker at Arsenal.

"Arsene started my career and also restarted it. He started me in the first team at Monaco when I was just 17, even when there were guys much older than me in the reserves who were waiting to play," he revealed.

"Then, even after France had won the World Cup, he restarted my career on another level. The guy is great, he has been tremendous for me."

Henry's debt of gratitude to Wenger could be Arsenal's trump card in any contract talks, although the 28-year-old striker must presumably remain convinced about the club's trophy potential to stay put.

Only a few weeks ago, Wenger expressed his desire to resolve Henry's contract situation by the New Year, but he can now only respect his striker's stated wishes.

"It's not down to the fans or journalists to decide when he wants to sign an extension to his contract. There is no urgency. He finishes in 2007 and does not have to talk in October 2005," he said.

"We are not in a position where we have to make any profit with anybody. We want a strong side and to keep our strong players. Therefore we want to keep Thierry."Of course I understand the desire of the fans and I agree completely with them because I am a fan too. But I cannot decide when Thierry signs his contract and you support the club, not the player.

"I have to respect that he has a contract until 2007 and is not ready to sign a new one. I feel the fans know that. I think he will stay and that is it. He doesn't owe me anything and we are relaxed about it.

"He is very positive. He is focused on the team and wants to do well for us. He's not stupid, you cannot say he is not committed to the club and will let this spoil his season."

Asked whether Henry was waiting to evaluate Arsenal's progress this season before making his final decision, Wenger replied: "You will have to ask him about that."Faced with exactly that question, Henry was as elusive as he has proved to countless defenders. He replied with a smile: My answer is that you should ask Arsene!"