Arsene Wenger last night hit back at claims of a schism with the Arsenal captain, Thierry Henry, fearing that the speculation might derail the most important week in his club's season so far.

Arsenal travel to Portugal this afternoon for tomorrow's Champions League Group G decider against Porto, where they require a point to guarantee progress to the knock-out phase of the competition.

But there was a danger of that match, along with Sunday's Premiership trip to the champions Chelsea, being overshadowed by talk of a rift between the Arsenal team's two most senior figures.

Wenger confirmed he had been involved in discussions with Henry on Friday, a meeting in which the captain's absence from Saturday's north London derby was confirmed.

But Wenger disputed reports in that the conversation had soured their relationship. "Of course I am aware of stories circulating in the media about our meeting last Friday," said Wenger.

"I just feel that it's important to reiterate that there is no problem between myself and Thierry; in fact, we have always had a strong relationship and that remains the case.

"I wanted to clear this up and end any further speculation as it is a pivotal week in our season and we now need to focus on the upcoming Porto game where we need to get a result to qualify for the next stage of Champions League."

Henry had responded to the reports by asking Emmanuel Adebayor, his replacement in the 3-0 win over Tottenham, to celebrate with him by the bench in an ostentatious show of unity if the Togolese striker scored.

Adebayor duly did so after his 20th-minute opener and Henry went a step further on Sunday by telling the French press that he would be "at Arsenal for life".

The 29-year-old must, however, endure a spell on the sidelines as he seeks to overcome the sciatic nerve problem that kept him out of Saturday's match. "I sat down with Thierry this morning to discuss his fitness," said the Arsenal manager.

"As you know he keeps picking up niggling injuries which are down to fatigue. It's very frustrating for him, you know, because this series of injuries has kept him out of a few important games this season.

"The medical team has now assessed the situation and although it's difficult to predict exactly, Thierry will be out for at least a few weeks, as we need to give him time to fully recover."

Henry also denied his reaction was linked to a rift with Wenger, although the pair have differing views on what the club should do in the January transfer window.

While Henry stated in his newspaper column that Arsenal's squad should be bolstered, Wenger insists there will be no signings next month when the window re-opens.

Henry, who was linked with a move to Barcelona last season before signing a new four-year deal at the club, has also ruled out ever joining the Spanish giants. Henry said: "The club have the same ambitions as me.

"Regarding the recruitment in the summer, my confidence was not betrayed. I am at Arsenal for life. I will not go to Barcelona."

Regarding the reported bust-up with compatriot Wenger, Henry told French newspaper L'Equipe: "Quite simply, it is true that I can be a pig. It is not a lie to say that. Sometimes, I feel that I am in the right even when I am wrong.

"But to claim that I wanted the power - no. To say that I wanted to play in a 4-5-1 - no. Everyone that knows me knows that I prefer to play alongside a team-mate (in attack)."

"After having 60 matches in 2006, there comes a point when your body says stop. And it is necessary to listen to it.

"I am frustrated by that, because I cannot help my team on the pitch. It is something that I find difficult to accept. But I did not argue with Arsene Wenger."