The boys in blue stop angry Thierry Henry getting at referee Graham Poll (PhilCole/Allsport)

The France striker, preparing for tonight's friendly against Scotland in Paris, cited his three-match ban for an outburst at referee Graham Poll following the home defeat against Newcastle in December as evidence.

He said: 'When you see players like Manchester United captain Roy Keane screaming at referees and never being sanctioned, you have to ask yourself why. I have the impression that everyone wants to throw spikes in Arsenal's wheels.

'I have the feeling we are in the way and people want to stop us beating Manchester United. I didn't appeal because that could have made me miss the match at Manchester United and that would have pleased a certain person.'

As for media criticism of Arsenal players, Henry added: 'Sol Campbell never had problems when he was playing at Tottenham. Now he's at Arsenal he even has trouble when he's playing for England.'

The French training camp was still a gloomy place yesterday following the news that Robert Pires is almost certain to miss the World Cup with a knee injury.