The London club face a tense scramble to qualify for the second round of the competition after they were held to a 0-0 draw by CSKA Moscow on Wednesday.

Henry and his team-mates were guilty of wasting a series of chances to win the match and they must now beat Hamburg later this month and avoid defeat in their last Group G match in Porto to be sure of reaching the knockout stages.

But Arsenal captain Henry is convinced his young side's attacking play against the Russians proves they are close to fulfilling their undoubted potential.

Henry said: "In a game like that you are closer to exploding into a great team than not heading in the right direction.

"We did not play at our best against Everton (at the weekend) and did not show our class, but the commitment was there from the start against Moscow and we had opportunities to score a goal from every angle of the pitch.

"We have won games in Europe during my time when I did not know how we won. Against Moscow, I do not know how we did not.

"As the skipper, when I walked back into the dressing room I could not say anything to the team. We had the right aggressiveness, the right attitude and played good football.

"We created chances once again and did not put the ball in the back of the net... Cesc had one, Robin (van Persie) had three. We had so many opportunities.

"How the shot from Tomas (Rosicky) did not go in, I still ask myself -- but sometimes football is a bit weird."

Arsenal reached the Champions League final last season after an impressive run that included victories against Real Madrid and Juventus, so to be eliminated at this stage is unthinkable for France star Henry.

"It is difficult to have a go at the team with the way we played against Moscow. Although I know there is frustration that the result was not there, we are still in a good position to qualify," he said.

"If we now have to go to Porto needing a win, that is the way we are going to have to do it.

"We would rather not go there needing a win or draw but if it goes down to that, so be it."