Henry: Don't sell me boss

Henry witnessed Wenger's ruthless streak when his close friend Patrick Vieira was sold to Juventus in 2005 and there is a growing sense that the same fate may befall the striker this summer.

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Big foreign clubs are watching developments closely as stories circulate Europe that Henry could be made available at the end of his injury-hit season, despite signing a four-year contract last summer.

The 29-year-old Frenchman visited Wenger's office yesterday in bid to clear the air.

Wenger said: "I had a chat with him. It is clear he wants to stay and am clear, I want him to stay. I was not concerned because I know the day Thierry Henry wanted to leave he would knock at my door and say: 'I want to go somewhere'."

Asked if the club are ready to listen to offers, Wenger replied: "No. We extended him last year, that is not to sell him this year.

"He still has the same level of enthusiasm. He still motivates his players. He has had a bad season, he would be the first to say that, but if you look at the games he played and the goals he scored it is not as bad as everybody thinks."

Henry scored 12 goals before his season came to a premature end when he tore a groin muscle against PSV Eindhoven after rushing back from a foot injury.

Wenger said: "Thierry has had 50 games per year, eight years on the trot, and that is exceptional. You know that one year he will not be capable of that and it was after a World Cup final and a Champions League final. It was too much.

"I tried to protect him more this season than ever before but he always wants to play and when he has a little problem he doesn't talk about it. He thinks he can manage it. But you can see this season that he was never as free in his movement."

Ahead of today's game against West Ham, Wenger also refused to rule out the idea of buying Carlos Tevez in the summer.

"I don't know yet," he said. "I always liked Tevez. He is mobile, he goes forward. He commits people and he's very positive. He is doing well now.

"He has what it takes to play in England because he is not scared. He's ready for a physical challenge. That's one quality you need when you go to Sheffield or Newcastle. Up north you have to be ready for a fight."

American sports tycoon Stan Kroenke spent £65million for a 9.9 per cent chunk of Arsenal, fuelling speculation that another of English football's most famous clubs is poised to fall into foreign hands. "I don't think the club has been bought by somebody," said Wenger.

"It's just that somebody has bought shares. We have to wait to see what his intentions are. He has said that he doesn't want to buy the club."

More than 50 per cent of Arsenal shares remain in the hands of three shareholders but Kroenke's interest is unlikely to end here.

Wenger has warned about foreign ownership threatening the traditions which make English football unique. Several swipes have been aimed at Roman Abramovich and Chelsea but he is certain Arsenal will not lose their values'.

"Arsenal do things with a bit of class and distinction, with respect for people," he said. "That's what I felt when I came inside this club. There was an atmosphere of fair play and a desire to do things well. That's what has kept me here for so long."

He also claims the club do not need a wealthy investor to challenge for the big trophies.

"We can compete without that," said Wenger. "I'm more concerned to develop our young players. I would not be bothered if we went into next season with the same squad.

"In the longer term, it's always better to produce your own resources. I'm not sure the Americans will say to Liverpool: We have lost £50m, here is £30m more to buy some players. Only Abramovich has done that but it looks like he wants to calm down as well."

Wenger, unlike Henry, will not seek guarantees about future plans. He accepts everyone has their price and if the major shareholders are tempted to sell, nothing he can say will stop them.

"You can never have a complete assurance," he said. "It is always a question of money."