I've still got plenty to learn, but I am finding my automatisms and all the hard work is paying off."Wenger's move was nothing short of brilliant. That it was Wenger who made both decisions is altogether more ironic. Indeed, following Wenger's acrimonious departure from the principality, Henry was played on the right wing by a succession of club, as well as international, managers.Henry marked his return at the heart of the attack in the League match against Derby last month. Those 30 minutes were enough to persuade his manager, Arsene Wenger, to give him his chance in his favoured position - as an out-and- out striker."I was very excited," Henry remembered. "When le coach [as Henry likes to call Wenger] told me I was going to play in the centre of the attack I was determined to prove to everyone that I could be counted on."The fact it has taken Henry five years - since the day he was given his Monaco first-team debut at 17 in that role - to be moved back to the centre- forward position is intriguing. He came on as a second-half substitute and, although he failed to score, he created two or three clear-cut chances for himself. Having started slowly, he has progressed as the season has gone on and is now finding his Premiership feet The settling-in period seems complete.

"I was a little short on confidence when I joined the club in August," he said at Arsenal's training ground "As a forward, if you don't score goals, it affects you. But since I came back from playing with the French Under-21s [in a two-leg play-off match against Italy, for next summer's Under-21 European Championship] I feel reinvigorated."It was on his return, during last month's Uefa Cup match against Nantes, that Henry's Arsenal career took off. But I just stuck at it, because this is where I want to be," said Henry, now in his sixth month in England. "The important thing I keep reminding myself is that it's my responsibility to adapt to this country, not hers to adapt to me."On the pitch, Henry can legitimately claim to have achieved that. He is proof, if proof were needed, that there are large numbers of imported players who are willing to make England home from home. "It's tough, especially when you don't speak the language and stuff. It would be unfair to question the motives of every foreign player, but the Nicolas Anelka transfer saga, the Benito Carbone affair, and the recent Emmanuel Petit spat about "thinking every day about my future at Arsenal", have not exactly endeared the "foreign mercenaries" - who supposedly move to England for a quick franc or lira - to the majority of football fans. Thierry Henry is different.

But this job is like driving a car, isn't it; not just coaching one man or several. You have to control the engine, that is the most important thing, but you also have to make sure all the other parts are working well too It is the same for every team. I am looking for teamwork and everyone will have to play their parts.". SO THEY ARE not all freeloaders after all.

In a year when French imports have been viewed with increasing hostility, it is both refreshing and reassuring to find there are some genuinely happy visitors in the Premiership. Now, next summer, it is another time, another place, from the past."It is a unique situation for us to be at home But it is a good thing I know Bergkamp is a wonderful player I hope he will be outstanding for us. They have been against wonderful opponents, and a row of friendlies is not an easy task I am confident in the boys We have unity in the group, with respect for each other. The old problems have been solved, not by me, but by Guus Hiddink before France.