Henry hopes to overcome slow start

Story Highlights
Thierry Henry reveals that he is still adjusting to the Spanish style of football
The former Arsenal striker has had a slow start to his career with Barcelona
The France international signed for Barca for US$32 million in June 2007
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LONDON, England -- Thierry Henry has pleaded for patience as he continues to adapt to life in Spain with Barcelona.

Thierry Henry has struggled to make the same impact at Barcelona as he did at Arsenal.

The France striker has taken time to adjust to the different demands of La Liga following his $32 million transfer from Arsenal during the summer.

The 30-year-old was a legendary figure at the English Premier League club, where he was captain in his final season and often led the forward line by himself.

However, he has joined a star-studded squad at the Nou Camp alongside fellow high-profile names such as Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi and Samuel Eto'o.

Henry has been ruled out of Thursday's Spanish league trip to Real Valladolid due to an Achilles problem, while defender Eric Abidal is sidelined with an ankle injury.

Henry said: "I am not at Arsenal any more. It's a different type of game and most of the time here I play with my back to the net, but I have four goals and three assists.

"It's not just about me -- I look at how I can help the team. Stop looking for the player who was at Arsenal.

"The game is much quicker in England and there are other differences. Whenever you touch somebody here it is a foul.

"I never thought it would be easy to play for Barcelona, but it took me nine games to score my first goal in England. I play in the way you saw at Arsenal, a more direct way.

"Here, we pass the ball more from right to left and the approach is different. I have to adapt to that. At Arsenal, when we counter-attacked, the ball came to me straight away."

Henry, who this season has overtaken Michel Platini as France's all-time international goal scorer, added that he would have preferred more time to adjust to coach Frank Rijkaard's style following his arrival.

"It would have been better to go into the team step by step, but then Samuel Eto'o got injured and other players were not ready after the Copa America," he said.

"I had to come back to fitness and play at the same time. I don't have any excuses though, I just have to get on with it." E-mail to a friend