Henry: I'm in agony going to shops

14 April 2012

Thierry Henry today revealed that his Achilles tendon problem is so bad that he has problems even walking to the shops.

The Arsenal striker has pulled out of the FA Cup Final against Manchester United on Saturday after aggravating the injury in the 7-0 win over Everton last week, when he returned from a groin problem as a substitute.

"I have had to make some big decisions in my career but this one was easy. I could just not play," said Henry. "I am in too much pain. When I start to run, it hurts. If I go out to the shops, I can also feel it.

"I have played a lot this season and I like to think I've given my all. It is a problem for me, but hopefully I will be fine for the start of next season. I am sure I will be fine."

Henry says he has been troubled by the injury since last summer's European Championships.

He added: "After Euro 2004, I had a few weeks' rest but had only three days' training before my first game, the Community Shield.

"The problem has been with me since then, even though it has been playable. Now it is not. Every morning I have got out of bed and had to see whether I could train.

"Obviously, missing the Cup Final is not what I would have wanted.

"Yes, I could have said to Arsene Wenger to put me on the bench so I could possibly get a medal and earn some glory.

"But that would be unfair on my team-mates. Incredibly selfish, in fact. Maybe, I'd come on at Cardiff but I would have been able to give only 15 per cent. What use is that?"

Jose Reyes missed Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Birmingham with a thigh injury but is expected to lead the Arsenal forward line against United.

The FA Cup holders' main doubt is midfielder Paul Scholes, who has a groin injury which ruled him out of the weekend win at Southampton.

Meanwhile, Patrick Vieira has reignited his rivalry with Roy Keane following their confrontation in the tunnel at Highbury before the Premiership game on 1 February.

The Irishman intervened when he believed Vieria was bullying Gary Neville.

The Arsenal captain said: "I will not say I intimidated Neville, I tried to make a point. Keane reacted the way I would if somebody came to talk to one of the Arsenal players. It did not surprise me. It was a leader's reaction. I have respect for him." After the match, Keane enraged Vieira by questioning his charity work in his birthplace Senegal. He asked if the midfielder loved his birthplace so much, why he didn't play for them?

Vieria responded: "Someone who leaves his team in the World Cup should keep this kind of remark to himself. He does not know my background and he walked away from his country when they needed him. I have nothing to prove to him."

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