PARIS (AP)

Thierry Henry has hinted he could leave Barcelona if he continues to be kept on the left wing, instead of his favoured centre forward role.

Sports daily L'Equipe asked Henry if he would leave during the winter transfer window if the situation didn't change. Henry said it wasn't an issue now, adding "we will have to discuss it" if the situation continues. The interview was published yesterday.

complaint

Henry has complained in the past about being used as a winger after becoming Arsenal's all-time leading scorer as centre forward.

Barca coach Pep Guardiola had planned this season to use Henry as centre forward. Henry suggested to L'Equipe that Guardiola gave him his word and said this persuaded him to stay at the Spanish club.

club record

Henry was unhappy playing on the wing for Juventus before Arsenal signed him in August 1999 and used him in the centre of the attack. The result was a club record 226 goals and a major contribution to two Premier League titles and three FA Cups.

He left the Gunners for Barcelona in June 2007 after a season when he was plagued by long-term injuries.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was convinced Henry would be far happier playing in the centre of attack.

"I want him to be happy first of all because he made us happy for years. The least you want for him is to be happy and at the moment he is not," Wenger said yesterday at his weekly prematch news conference.

"But that unfortunately is part of the career of a player. He has gone through these kinds of times at the start of his career and at the end of his career."

no quitting

Wenger doesn't see Henry quitting yet, however.

"I feel at the moment that he is too young for the end of his career," he said. "I found him quite sharp playing for France in the World Cup qualifiers against Austria and Serbia. But there is tough competition up there.

"I believe he should play through the centre where he feels more comfortable. It is more difficult to be a winger when you are over 30."