Henry out but Wenger's on the attack

Arsene Wenger last night hit back at former Arsenal chief George Graham as he prepared for the most critical week of his career at the club without his star striker Thierry Henry.

Graham accused Arsenal of lacking leadership after the sale of seven world-class players, but Wenger responded before today's north London derby with Tottenham by claiming he is their most successful boss of the modern era.

Graham blames Wenger for Arsenal's decline

Wenger, who will be without Henry against Tottenham because of a sciatic nerve injury and against Porto in the Champions League on Wednesday through suspension, said: "If I look at the number of titles Arsenal have won in their history, not many have done better.

"I am not a beginner. Sol Campbell wanted to go abroad, Ashley Cole wanted to go to Chelsea, Pires was 33 and, frankly, it's very difficult to say Dennis Bergkamp was in his prime at 37.

"I believe we have replaced them with world-class players."