Arsenal have called a media conference for 1400 BST - where it is expected they will announce that Thierry Henry has signed a new four-year deal.

Henry, 28, had one year left on his existing deal and had been strongly tipped to move to Barcelona.

 

However, on Friday he told The Sun: "I hope to stay as long as I can keep running. I couldn't leave the fans."

 

Then the Press Association quoted a club source as saying: "There are just one or two things left to finalise."

 

Henry, who replaced Patrick Vieira as Arsenal captain last summer, had been widely expected to move on following the Champions League final, to join the club that beat the Gunners at the Stade de France.

 

Thierry's decision is just incredibly wonderful news

 

Arsenal great Bob Wilson

 

But he cast the first doubt on that theory when he blasted Barca immediately after the game - accusing some of their players of kicking him and others of diving.

 

Then on Friday he said: "I love Barcelona, but on Wednesday Arsenal showed they had heart. I hope to finalise details today (Friday)."

 

Henry joined from Juventus in August 1999 and has gone on to become the club's record goalscorer.

 

He was recently voted Football Writers' Association player of the year for the third time, and in his acceptance speech, he said that he now considered London his home.

 

On the flight back from Arsenal's Champions League final defeat in Paris, he is reported to have told passengers "we will come back next year."

 

His decision to stay is a huge boost to the club ahead of their move to their new Emirates Stadium next season.

 

It will also help cushion the loss of striker Dennis Bergkamp, who is retiring after 11 years' service to the club.

 

Former Arsenal goalkeeper Bob Wilson told BBC Radio Five Live: "I was very confident he would stay and just thrilled, as all fans will be.

 

"We are still a bit edgy and miserable but it's a fantastic boost for the fans."

 

Wilson added: "Thierry's decision is just incredibly wonderful news."

 

 

 

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:cheer: :dance: :cheer: :cheer: :dance: :cheer:

Hope he does his cruciates in :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

 

Edgar Davids do your duty ;)

That's good and good to keep good players in England imo. :)

Hope he does his cruciates in :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:

 

Edgar Davids do your duty ;)

Dabids wont be in the EPL next season.

He has a 2 year contract ;)

 

Only way he will leave is if we sell him

He has a 2 year contract ;)

 

Only way he will leave is if we sell him

I know. I think it'll happen. Go back to Holland.He's beenin bad form since December and hasn't exactly been in the first XI all the time.

Fantastic! Great to see him in the Premiership still!

He had a broken bone in his leg and carried on playing, it affected him for a period but then last 3 games of the season he was great :)

 

I am condident he will stay

Fairplay to "Terry Henry".

 

I honestly thought he was going to do a Steve McManaman or a Michael Owen & run down his cotract so he could sign on the cheap elsewhere.

 

I still don't think he is a big game player (Wednesday's Champions League Final was yet another example of that) unlike fellow strikers Michael Owen or Ruud Van Nisterooy, but overall he has been the best centre-forward plying his trade in the Premiership in the last five years.

 

So from a British Football point of view I'm pleased for Arsenal.

I thought Henry was a gonna and TBH I think he would have gone if Arsenal won the CL, but that didn't happen and I think he wants another shot at it with Arsenal but I don't think Arsenal will do as well next year.