Henry frustrated at impending title loss

Arsenal striker Thierry Henry, freshly named the English Professional Football Association's player of the year ahead of Ruud van Nistelrooy of Manchester United, admitted the Dutchman is the more likely to pocket a Premiership title medal this season.

Having joined the France squad for Wednesday's home friendly against Egypt, Henry said Tuesday: "Winning a championship or a cup is more important than this kind of distinction. It's great to be recognised by your peers - especially in England when it's not always so easy to be accepted when you're not English.

"But my pleasure is mitigated. Now the title is in Manchester United's hands as if they win their final two games that's it.

"The match at Bolton (Arsenal let slip a 2-0 lead to draw last Saturday) summed up the season. We had the match in our hands and I am still asking myself how we conceded two goals in the last ten minutes.

"We just have to hope that Manchester lose a few points. But we have to recognise that if they win the title we will have given it to them as a gift."

France coach Jacques Santini meanwhile said the team would seek to do better than their last home friendly - a 2-0 home reverse against the Czech Republic in February.

"We have to succeed in this match and produce more of a spectacle than we did last time out."

However, since then France have beaten Israel away and swamped Malta at home.

Against Egypt, Santini's side will have to turn on the style without Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane, who is being rested ahead of his club's Champions League semi final against Juventus.