Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he tried to extend Thierry Henry's loan spell at the club beyond the current deadline.

Henry is due to return to New York Red Bulls next week, but signed off with a 92nd-minute winner against Sunderland on Saturday.

Henry himself has refused to rule out another return to the Gunners, and Wenger's revelations seem to suggest that the Arsenal boss would be open to the idea too.

When asked whether he tried to extend the loan, Wenger told Sky Sports News: "I tried. I will not try again because we accept the agreement from the start and we will respect it."

He went on to praise Arsenal's record goalscorer, saying: "When I saw him in the box getting that cross from Arshavin I thought 'now that looks good' and he didn't miss it.

"He's an exceptional talent, he has a good partnership with Robin [van Persie] up front very, very dangerous, but today he got us three points and we are very grateful for that."

The win moves Arsenal into the top four in the Premier League, level on points with fifth place Chelsea.