Gilberto eager for Henry to stay

Thierry Henry will decide his future in the summer

Gilberto Silva has urged Arsenal team-mate Thierry Henry to commit his future to the north London club.

And the Brazilian believes if the Gunners triumph in the Champions League it may ward off the 28-year-old striker's admirers at Barcelona.

Gilberto said: "It would be nice to see Thierry stay here forever. He has seen the progress the team is making and has seen us growing together.

"If we won the Champions League, I'm sure it would work in our favour."

The Gunners go into the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final with Juventus on Wednesday with a two-goal advantage.

Speculation over Henry's future has been intense for weeks and, even though his contract does not run out until next summer, he will make a decision on his future before the World Cup.

Gilberto hopes the development of Arsene Wenger's young Arsenal team will persuade the French star to resist the lure of the Nou Camp.

He added: "Even off the pitch, the atmosphere at Arsenal is like a family. These are things that you have to think about.

"He likes the club, the fans love him and he is very friendly with all the other players.

"But we all appreciate it is a very difficult decision for Thierry."