Henry happy to be a creator

After being crushed 3-0 at home by Internazionale in September, Arsenal's Champions League prospects looked bleak but Thierry Henry kept his customary cool.

He said: "This is not over yet. There are still five games to go and you know football . . . anything can happen."

After three games they had one goal and one point but last night's victory meant they finished as Group B winners and will go into tomorrow's draw as one of the top seeds.

Henry said today: "Sometimes it seems that Arsenal like to make things difficult but I always had hope that we would go through. Look what happened - the two teams who were at the top for a long time are out.

"I saw many teams struggling. Real Madrid could have lost against Partizan Belgrade and Chelsea lost at home to Besiktas but cruised it in the end. Now we are in the knockout stages and it is more enjoyable. You'll see goals because to have to attack if you want to go through.

"We must play like we played against Lokomotiv. We were high up the pitch, like we were in Milan. That's when we are at our best. We can't go out and just try to stay at the back - we must play our game, that's how we can win."

As Henry has grown in stature, so have Arsenal. Individual awards make him feel a touch uneasy but by next Tuesday night he could have the title of the FIFA world player of the year. The following week he may pick up a similar accolade, the Ballon D'Or from the magazine France Football. He is competing against Zinedine Zidane and Ronaldo but he is the favourite to complete the double.

Henry's part last night was significant as he created the goals for Robert Pires and Fredrik Ljungberg.

Henry added: "I always say that a goalscorer shouldn't just be just that. When you don't score, you have to help the team. And not only to assist with goals but also to defend well. You have to try to add things to your game.

"As for my own game over the years, you adapt with the situation around you. On the second goal, I know how Freddie moves. After four years playing with him, it would be a shame for me if I didn't!"

Henry said that setting up a goal gave him as much pleasure as scoring.

He explained: "I don't know if you saw, but it seemed like I did score when I gave the ball to Robert and Freddie. I admire a great passing movement. It is enjoyable to be part of it.

"I have no doubts. I have no fear of anything. When you are on the pitch and you have the ball you want to make sure you do something. Sometimes things happen in a game, but at other times they are difficult and you have to suffer for 20 minutes. That is our approach. If we have to suffer during a spell we will all suffer together."

There is, however, only one person who instills fear into Henry. No, not a menacing Italian defender with strength and pace. "My mum," he said. Why?

"Because it's my mum! Everybody can be a big man on the street. But when they go home, they know who is really in charge. It's true!"