Arsenal chairman Peter Hill-Wood reckons Thierry Henry
used Arsene Wenger's uncertain future as "an excuse" to join
Barcelona.
Henry completed a £16million switch to the Nou Camp on Monday, 12
months after spurning the Catalan club in favour of remaining with
the Gunners.
The France striker decided to move on this week, though, and
revealed the situation at the club following vice-chairman David
Dein's departure last season, and the apparent uncertainty over
Wenger's future as manager, were reasons behind his decision.
Hill-Wood, however, told the Daily Telegraph: "I am not
particularly worried about what Thierry said but whether it really
influenced his decision or not we will have to wait and see.
"We certainly don't think Thierry Henry going and Arsene Wenger's
contract situation are in any way linked. That was just an
excuse."
Wenger, who has a year remaining on his contract, continues to be
linked with a move away from the Emirates Stadium - with Barcelona
the club most regularly linked - but Hill-Wood hopes the French
coach will remain in north London, even if he does not sign a new
deal this summer.
"I am really hopeful he will extend but at this moment I am only in
a position of hoping," said Hill-Wood. "I've no reason to think
that he won't but at the same time I have no reason to believe he
will say yes. Certainly we would like to see him sign a new
contract - we have made no secret about that.
"But we have not talked any details about anything with him or the
board. We will wait and see what he wants to do. Then we can sit
down and discuss things if he is positive about it. I am very
relaxed. We are in good shape."
Hill-Wood, who also said Arsenal "would like to find another player
or two" in the transfer market, revealed he has not met with
American tycoon Stan Kroenke since their meeting in New York
recently.
Kroenke has a 12.19% stake in the club and is expected to mount a
full takeover bid but that prospect is another area of
uncertainty.
"I have not heard anything further from him [Kroenke] since we
met," said Hill-Wood.
