I need lengthy break, says Henry

PARIS, Dec 4 (Reuters) Arsenal captain Thierry Henry says he needs to rest for at least a month as he bids to recover from nagging injuries.

''I have to say stop for a month, maybe a month and a half, the time for the pain to disappear,'' the France striker, who said he was suffering from a sore left thigh muscle, told today's issue of French sports daily L'Equipe.

''After 60 matches in 2006, comes a time when your body tells you to stop and you have to listen.'' Henry, who has struggled for fitness all season, missed his side's 3-0 home league win over rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday because of a neck injury.

The prolific forward is suspended for the crucial Champions League tie away at Porto on Wednesday and could now sit out Sunday's league clash with champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal are third in the standings, 16 points behind leaders Manchester United with a game in hand.

Henry also dismissed British media reports he had argued with Arsenal manager Wenger during training.

''Yes, I did get angry about it because I can not help out my team on the pitch. It's something I find hard to accept. But I did not squabble with Arsene Wenger.'' REUTERS PDS BD1631