Agence France Presse

London, February 13:

France’s 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 winning striker Thierry Henry said he would like to remain with English Premiership champions Arsenal for the rest of his career.

The 27-year-old former Monaco and Juventus marksman said he would like to stay on after his present contract ends in 2007.

“I would like to stay here, but it’s up to the people involved. If it was only up to me, no problem, but we all know how it is in football. If you stop scoring goals, someone young can come along and kick you out,” said Henry, who has scored 16 times in 23 Premiership appearances this term.

Henry said he knew that Arsenal had a history of having great strikers but who were always replaced effectively when their days at the top ended.

“No one would have thought that when Ian Wright stopped, someone else would come in and do something. Nicolas Anelka came for two or three years and when he stopped everyone said ‘who are we going to have?’ Then suddenly I arrived,” he said.

“It’s going to be the same with me and that’s the way it is. I’m just realistic. When I stop, Arsenal will always be Arsenal, whether I’m in the team or not.”

Henry gets a chance to add to his tally on Monday against relegation candidates Crystal Palace as Arsenal seek to get back in touch with leaders Chelsea.