The 29-year-old talismanic striker has experienced consistent injury problems this season as well as a significant decline in his overall performance since returning from the World Cup finals in Germany.

"He is paying the price of success," Wenger told a press conference.

"I feel he has been badly managed after the World Cup by the French football team.

"I take responsibility for all the rest, but not for what I have not done. After the World Cup final on July 9th, I gave him a holiday until August 4."

The Arsenal boss pointed out France's friendly game against Bosnia on August 16th as an example of rushing Henry into action after a short comeback from holiday.

"He came back, we prepared him, I left him out of the Champions League qualifier in Zagreb, they called him up for the game on August 16 - less than 14 days after he came back - and they played him in the whole game against Bosnia. It was a friendly.

"After he had played in the World Cup final - why do they need to play him in the whole game?"

Henry played seven times for Les Bleus between August 16th and February 7th, staying on the pitch for the full 90 minutes in six of these games.

The season is over though for the French hit man after the groin and stomach injuries he sustained in the UEFA Champions League match against PSV last week.