Dein urges Henry to sign new deal

Dein believes Arsenal can match Henry's ambitions

Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein has urged Thierry Henry to stay at Highbury - but says his fate will not be decided by the Champions League final result.

Henry says he will make an announcement on his future before the World Cup.

Dein told BBC London: "I can't tell you what goes on in the background, but you have to assume we have done everything we can to make him stay."

He added: "I would hope his decision will not be based on one game, he's far too intelligent for that."

Henry will captain Arsenal in the Champions League final in Paris on 17 May, and Dein hopes he will lead them into their new stadium at Ashburton Grove.

Arsenal opened talks with Henry - who has one year left on his current deal - after he indicated he wanted to stay.

Henry has been consistently linked with Barcelona and Dein said: "He is one of the finest players to have played football generally, and you are now seeing someone at the peak of his profession.

"We want him to stay, the fans want him to stay and we hope he will stay. If he's ambitious he should stay at Arsenal because we have got a new stadium and a young team coming through.

If we can put the lid on the box and win the Champions League final that would be sensational Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein

"We would like him to stay and be captain and take us on to even greater successes."

Dein also paid tribute to boss Arsene Wenger, saying: "We have managed to come through to the Champions League final with 12 games unbeaten and the last 10 without conceding a goal.

"It is a phenomenal achievement and so much credit must go to Arsene Wenger and his coaching staff, all the players, and of course the fans who have played a big part in their own way by supporting the team.

"When Arsene came here in October 1996, everybody said 'Arsene who?'. I call him the miracle worker and the game against Villarreal was another one.

"We managed to get through and we have got a great final to look forward to.

"It is just phenomenal for the club and it is also great to see the youngsters coming through that Arsene has introduced. He's given them a chance and they have been great."

Now Dein is hoping Arsenal can clinch the biggest prize in European club football, saying: "We can do no more than we have done in the past years to win the domestic championships and win cups.

"Now if we can put the lid on the box and win the Champions League final, that would be sensational."