Thierry Henry pledges his future to Arsenal

Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has pledged his future to the London club, ending months of speculation that he might be prepared to leave.

The France striker had been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona, who beat Arsenal in the Champions League final Wednesday in Paris, but Henry said his heart was with the Gunners.

"I think you all know, it's not a surprise but I'm staying here to play even longer for the club I love," Henry told a news conference Friday.

"It's been amazing since I joined, there had been so much speculation about me leaving - I won't lie, it crossed my mind. But I think with my heart and it told me to stay."

Henry said David Dein, the Arsenal vice-chairman and manager Arsene Wenger, had been massive influences on his decision.

"Without them I wouldn't be talking to you. I just want to carry on writing the story of Arsenal with them," he said.

Henry's existing contract was due to expire at the end of next season but the way Arsenal battled with 10 men in Paris Wednesday before eventually losing 2-1 to Barca helped to convince the Frenchman to stay.