Former Arsenal captain Thierry Henry has backed Gunners boss Arsene Wenger to construct a strong team this season, even if some faces will be unfamiliar.

Matthieu Flamini, Alexander Hleb and Gilberto Silva have left, while only Premier League newcomers Samir Nasri and Aaron Ramsey have been signed.

But Henry remains confident Wenger will be able to get a new-look side to gel.

He told BBC Radio 5 Live: “Arsene always does it somehow. And hopefully they will win silverware next season.”

The Gunners will have to do it with considerably less experience in their squad.

Brazil midfielder Gilberto, 31, left for Panathinaikos, Hleb, 27, joined Barcelona and Flamini, 24, sealed a switch to AC Milan.

And so far this season, Wenger has only brought in 21-year-old winger Nasri from Marseille and Ramsey, 17, who played in the Championship last season with Cardiff.

But Henry pointed to Wenger’s knack of unearthing little-known players and making them stars - the French striker was himself transformed under his compatriot after a torrid time in Italy with Juventus.

Henry added: “I don’t know how Arsene does it when he brings in some players who make people think ‘I don’t know if they are going to be ok’.

“People wonder if Arsenal are going to do anything.

“But suddenly, like last year, everyone starts raving about how Arsenal are playing and what a great team they are.

“Unfortunately for them they were really close but did not win anything last season.

“Hopefully this time they can bring some silverware back to the Emirates.”

Wenger has stated that he will definitely make one more signing in the close season.

And it could be that he will need to buy a striker to replace Emmanuel Adebayor, who still refuses to commit his future to the club amid speculation he will join AC Milan or Barcelona.

Ref From BBC

Arsenal have completed the signing of Marseille midfielder Samir Nasri for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old, who made two appearances as a substitute for France during Euro 2008, has signed a “long-term” contract with the Gunners.

He said: “This is a very important step in my life as a footballer because Arsenal is a massive club.”

Manager Arsene Wenger told the club’s website: “He is young, quick and technically an outstanding player.”

Although no details of the fee were announced by the Gunners, Nasri is reported to have cost £12m.

Nasri, who has been dubbed the new Zinedine Zidane, joined Marseille as a nine-year-old and made his league debut during the 2004-2005 season.

He can play on either wing or through the centre and won the French First Division’s Young Player of the Year award at the end of the 2006/2007 campaign, as well as being voted Marseille’s Player of the Year by supporters.

He added: “Arsene has a great reputation and he is one of the best managers in the world. He has proved that he puts a lot of confidence in the young players and he gives them a chance.

“It was very important for me to have such a great manager to work with and I’m really looking forward to working with both Arsene Wenger and all my new team-mates.

“I can play in the centre or on the wing. During my career, I have played behind one or two strikers or on the left, or the right hand side.”

Last season he scored six goals in 30 games for the French outfit, his final strike in a 4-3 win over Strasbourg helping secure their place in next season’s Champions League.

Nasri appeared at various youth international levels for France before winning the first of seven senior caps in 2007.

And he could fill the gap created if Alexander Hleb, whose future remains uncertain after he held talks over a possible move to Barcelona, leaves the club.

Wenger has already lost midfielder Mathieu Flamini, who joined AC Milan on a free transfer, while striker Emmanuel Adebayor remains a target for the Italian giants.

Ref from BBC SPORT