Harmony the key for Wenger

Arsene Wenger believes it is vital for Arsenal to prepare for a pivotal week in their season without doubt surrounding the future of captain Thierry Henry.

Wenger and Henry insist their relationship as manager and skipper remains strong, despite suggestions of a rift when the France striker was ruled out of the clash against Tottenham.

"I just feel that it's important to reiterate that there is no problem between myself and Thierry, in fact, we have always had a strong relationship and that remains the case," said Wenger on www.arsenal.com.

Henry wants to remain at the club for the rest of his career - ruling out a move to Barcelona - but will face up to six weeks on the sidelines with a sciatic nerve problem.

Arsenal will be without Henry on Wednesday when they face Porto looking for a point to progress to the knockout stages of the Champions League.

They will then face Chelsea on Sunday looking to revive their Barclays Premiership title hopes.

Wenger added: "I wanted to clear this up and end any further speculation as it is a pivotal week in our season and we now need to focus on the upcoming Porto game, where we need to get a result to qualify for the next stage of Champions League."

Henry and Wenger have differing views on what the club should do in the January transfer window.

While Henry stated in his newspaper column that Arsenal's squad should be bolstered, Wenger insists there will be no signings next month when the window re-opens.

But Henry, 29, said: "The club have the same ambitions as me. "Regarding the recruitment in the summer, my confidence was not betrayed. I am at Arsenal for life. I will not go to Barcelona."