Henry 'honoured' with top award

Arsenal FC striker and captain Thierry Henry has been voted Footballer of the Year for the third time in four years by the Football Writers' Association. The French international, the Premiership's 23-goal leading scorer and an inspiration in Arsenal's run to the UEFA Champions League final, was a clear winner ahead of runner-up John Terry of Chelsea FC and Manchester United FC's Wayne Rooney.

'Proud'
"As I always say, in football it's all about the team and without my team-mates I would not have won this award," Henry said. "I'm especially proud that I'm the first person to win the Footballer of the Year trophy three times. It's always pleasing to be the first to achieve something. My hope now is that the team go on to create our own piece of history by becoming the first Arsenal side to win the Champions League. It's a real honour and I feel privileged to have won." Henry also collected the award in 2003 and 2004, the first back-to-back winner.

Record scorer
The 28-year-old, who joined the London team from Juventus in 1999, became Arsenal's record goalscorer when he struck twice against AC Sparta Praha last October, taking his tally to 186, one more than Ian Wright. He has subsequently become the first Arsenal player to score more than 200 goals for the club. However, his future remains the subject of speculation. Henry, who is contracted to Arsenal until the end of next season, has been repeatedly linked with a move to Spain, either to FC Barcelona or Real Madrid CF. Arsenal face Barcelona in the UEFA Champions League final on 17 May.