Thierry: We must start spending

Thierry Henry today blamed the financial limitations imposed by Arsenal's move to their new stadium at Ashburton Grove for their latest Champions League heartbreak.

Despite scoring a brilliant winner in Arsenal's 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich at Highbury last night, Henry was unable to stop Arsene Wenger's side crashing out of the competition 3-2 on aggregate.

It is the club's seventh year of European failure, and the France striker was unable to hide his frustration as he bemoaned the fact Arsenal have spent less on strengthening their squad this season than north London rivals Tottenham and even Birmingham.

He said: "After what we did last year, everyone's expectation was to do better. But if you look at the money the club spent, we are not out there, even with the likes of Tottenham and Birmingham.

"I am not even talking about Manchester United or Chelsea. That is not an excuse - just my answer to the question. That is not my job [spending money] - the one I have out there is difficult enough."

Wenger has been promised a war chest of £40million this summer to rebuild his side as the restrictions imposed by the move to the new £350m Emirates Stadium start to ease.

But Henry added: "We have to squeeze our teeth for the new stadium for a little while. We did something brilliant last year, so no one noticed that no one came into the squad during the summer.

"This season we have been missing some people in the starting line-up - and it showed that we missed them.

"The only people you can ask the question to is the board. I am only trying to do my best on the pitch. Sometimes it is not enough but I am trying at least."

There was a further blow for Henry and Arsenal today when it emerged he will miss the FA Cup sixth-round trip to Bolton on Saturday with a calf strain.