Henry's battle up front

Henry had his scoring boots on against the Scots

In-form French frontman Thierry Henry has revealed how close he came six months ago to conceding defeat in his attempts to convert from being a winger to an out-and-out striker.

After scoring 10 goals in his last 10 starts for Arsenal and 26 in total this season, he has forced himself into contention for a leading role in attack for France this summer.

Struggling

Things were not looking so rosy last November when the 22-year-old was struggling to make an impact at Highbury, following his multi-million pound summer move from Juventus.

Henry admits with just two goals in his first nine appearances he had severe doubts about his move from Serie A.

"One day I wanted to ask to be put back on the wing and I thought I had to speak to the boss. I didn't do it because I still had a lot of confidence in Arsene (Wenger).

I didn't have that feeling of how to beat the goalkeeper any more

Thierry Henry

"I just said to myself that I'd have to keep on going and that we'd see at the end of the season." he said.

Henry felt he was known in the French squad at the World Cup and across Europe as a winger and was rapidly losing confidence in front of goal.

"I didn't have that feeling of how to beat the goalkeeper any more," he claimed.

Turning point

"At the start of this season I missed so many chances. All of the time Patrick Vieira used to tease me and at the beginning it was funny but after a bit it was true as well."

Anelka may partner Henry up front

But he scored two goals against Derby on November 28 to claim three points for the Gunners and his situation changed dramatically after that.

Not only was this good news for Arsenal but France also benefited from Henry's dazzling form with a late goal in a friendly against Scotland in March.

Another striker who had similar problems adapting to life in the Premiership was his close friend Nicolas Anelka.

Despite his well documented problems at Real Madrid Anelka too seems to have turned the corner.

French coach Roger Lemerre will be hoping their partnership will blossom on the field as well as off.