Arsene Wenger hailed Thierry Henry as a role model of loyalty after rejecting the potential of a money-spinning move abroad - but warned him he would have earned bigger wages elsewhere.

Wenger, who intends to start contract talks as soon as possible after the Frenchman's declaration of his desire to stay at Arsenal, accepts Henry could have earned far more at a club like Barcelona.

Initial reports have claimed Henry is looking for up to £130,000 a week - far more than Frank Lampard earns as Chelsea's highest wage-earner - but that is way beyond Arsenal's wage structure.

It is therefore now up to Wenger and vice-chairman David Dein to negotiate a compromise with Henry, which will still reward his loyalty and keep him at the club.

Wenger declared: "It's not about money with Thierry. He knows that financially the best deal was certainly not here.  But you cannot question his commitment and his attitude. He's a straight guy and I was 100 per cent sure he was not talking behind our back to anyone.

"It says a lot about the man. I knew he was deeply attached to a club but you don't know for certain how someone will respond, especially when we are not used to being fifth in the Premiership."

Wenger accepts Arsenal need to strengthen their squad if they wish to catch up with Chelsea, admitting "I feel we need one or two more players".

However, he believes the club's rich pool of young talent will underpin their future, with Kerrea Gilbert and Johan Djourou playing in the FA Cup third round win against Cardiff.

That was due to the Ivory Coast barring Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue from the game due to the 14-day release rule ahead of the African Nations Cup.

The defensive duo will therefore again be ruled out of the Carling Cup semi-final first leg tie at Wigan, with Arsenal set to field a slightly stronger line-up than normal in the competition.