Arsenal striker Thierry Henry has signed a three-year extension to his contract to keep him at the Premier League club until 2007.

The 25-year-old French international, who had a year of his current deal at Highbury left, told The Sun: "I am delighted to pledge my future to this great club."

Teammate and midfielder Robert Pires, also a Frenchman, said he too hopes to sign a new deal with Arsenal soon. Both players are set to line up against Southampton in Saturday's FA Cup final at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.

Henry, who won two player of the year awards this season, joined Arsenal from the Italian club Juventus in August 1999 for £10.5 million ($17 million).

"I want to make it clear I am very happy to stay, which has always been the case," Henry said. "I will stay at Arsenal as long as they want to keep me.

"I had heard one or two stories about me, so I thought this was the time to sign. This club is so important to me."

Henry scored 24 league goals this season in Arsenal's bid to hold on to their Premier League title, eventually won by Manchester United. He said his decision to stay at Arsenal was not about money. "I want to do well for this club both domestically and, hopefully, in Europe," he said. "People are keen to say that foreign players are only here in England for the money. Of course, in some cases, this may be true.

"But I have enjoyed some good years at Arsenal and I want to give something back. Hopefully I will have a long stay here as I am so comfortable. I did not feel at home in Italy. To come to Arsenal was the best thing I ever did."

Pires, 29, who joined Arsenal from Olympique Marseille for £6 million in July 2000, said: "I believe my future lies at Arsenal and I want to stay.

"I have two years of my current contract to run and I expect everything will be ok. I am waiting until after the Cup final to start talking about a deal and hopefully something can be agreed."

Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira, the team's third Frenchman, is also set to complete talks over a new contract with Arsenal in the close season.