Thierry Henry insists age is not a
factor behind his injury troubles, merely the amount of games he
has been playing.
The Arsenal captain expects to be out of action for up to five
months after picking up groin and stomach injuries.
There have been suggestions that age is catching up with the France
international, but the 29-year-old has dismissed such a
notion.
Instead, citing the example of other players who have suffered with
form and fitness after last summer's World Cup, Henry believes the
number of matches he has played has contributed significantly to
his injury travails.
"The doc has told me I am out for four or five months," Henry told
The Sun. "But this injury is not very surprising.
"Players are not robots. Since last autumn, I have had a back
problem that even gets to my leg. I have had to make physical
efforts to play with that problem and my body has finally said no.
You can't do anything about it.
"The injury is not a relief. But at least I know I will have time
to get myself ready for the new season. This will be something new
for me.
"During the winter, I had a thigh injury. I was already close to
breaking down.
"This injury isn't down to age. It's the number of games played
that causes the injury. Look at Ribery, Makelele, Gallas, Vieira,
they are also injured. Even Ronaldinho is dead.
"Same for Deco. Or Gerrard. This is not the great and the real
Gerrard. The players doing well now are those who played less last
season.
"Drogba's Chelsea were out of the Champions League at the last 16
stage then. Ronaldo and Scholes with Manchester United didn't even
get past the group stage.
"There is no mystery, but I am already missing
football."
