Thierry Henry admits David Dein's departure from Arsenal has "destabilised" both the club and manager Arsene Wenger.

In an interview with L'Equipe, Barcelona's new £16 million signing said: "David Dein leaving has destabilised the club and the manager. Mr Dein was the link between players and boardroom. That triggered the whole process and set me thinking. I don't think people realise the importance of David Dein for Arsenal. The fact that Arsene Wenger has not extended his contract was another important point. They were the two people who I had at my side when I signed a new contract last summer.

"I respect what has happened but I would never have thought that this would be the result. But I took my time, thought very carefully and asked myself some questions. I'm going to be 30. If I was 23 or 24 it would be different. I looked at the possibility of moving on. It wasn't that the club wanted to sell me. It was me saying I was ready to go, after all the recent events."

Henry added: "A year ago, it was a different story. I still believed in the future, and thought we could do great things. I've had eight incredible years, some disappointments, but huge happiness."