Arsenal star Thierry Henry ... on the sidelines until July. - Reuters

PARIS (Reuters):

ARSENAL CAPTAIN Thierry Henry, out for the season, said his injuries were an inevitable result of last season's punishing schedule.

The France striker damaged stomach and groin muscles in his team's Champions League exit to PSV Eindhoven last week.

Henry has been dogged by a lack of fitness since returning from the World Cup in Germany, notably with a long-standing sciatic nerve problem, along with hamstring and foot injuries.

"I saw it coming and, in a way, I was ready for it. My body was in a permanent state of alert," Henry told France football magazine yesterday.

"It's even comforting: we know we are not robots and these injuries Sremind us of that.

"I will now heal and get ready for next season. I have not had a proper break in the past seasons."

Henry, expected to resume training in July, will miss France's next three Euro 2008 qualifiers, as well as Arsenal's Premier League run-in as they chase a Champions League place.

"I'm not saying France will not have any problems because I respect our opponents but I am not worried," he added.

"As for the Gunners, they are among the best three teams of the league if you look at the last eight matches. We are on a nice streak, without me playing."