Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has backed manager Arsene Wenger over the club's failure to sign Karim Benzema during the transfer window.

The Real Madrid frontman was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium throughout the summer, but the France international opted to stay at Santiago Bernabeu, which has led to some criticism of Arsenal's transfer policy.

However, Henry has conceded that his compatriot had little reason to leave the La Liga outfit.

"I do not know if the boss wanted Benzema or not, but the player must also want to come," he told Sky Sports News.

"What are you going to offer to the guy who is playing for one of the best teams in the world, knowing that he is playing there week in, week out, and performing well?

"So I do not think that Arsene did not want to bring any other players - that would have been another story if he had really said: 'I do not want to bring in any other players.' But he said that if it can be done, then I will try to bring someone."

Arsenal's only signing of the summer was goalkeeper Petr Cech, who joined from Chelsea.