Thierry Henry has credited his manager, Pep Guardiola, for his decision to remain with Barcelona in a season in which the Catalan side has won an historic treble. The former Arsenal striker endured a difficult beginning to his Camp Nou career, but last night collected a Champions League medal to go with the league and cup titles already won by Barcelona this year.

His comments came on the day that former coach, Arsène Wenger, admitted Henry's presence may have helped his team to prevail in the 2007-08 Premier League title race. Arsenal finished third in their first season since allowing Henry to leave for Spain in a £16m deal.

"I didn't arrive at Barcelona just to win the Champions League but to win everything," said Henry. "The coach [Pep Guardiola] wanted me to stay. He was the man that convinced me to stay."

"This is incredible. I had wanted to win the Champions League for a long time. It's something that I was missing. It's a special feeling because to win a treble in modern football is not easy and yet we have done it.

"No Spanish team has achieved what we have, to win a treble, and I think everyone will remember this Barça side. I'm delighted because I always wanted to make history at this club and we've done just that. Now we will celebrate."

Henry played against Barcelona in the Champions League final three years ago with Arsenal but was on the losing side. He was a doubt for this week's showdown with United but recovered from a ligament injury to his right knee that had kept him out since early May.

"For me it's wonderful to have been able to make it to the final and play," he said. "It's not easy to come back after several weeks out of action but just like Andrés Iniesta, [I was] determined to play."

The Spanish champions went into the final without four regular defenders, with Rafael Márquez and Gabriel Milito out injured and Éric Abidal and Daniel Alves both suspended. But the strength of Guardiola's side is such that numerous other players were able to contribute.

"I think this game is a mirror of a season," said Henry. "It doesn't matter which player plays, it is the team as a whole that has done the job. Our strength was doing what we have done all season, which is to keep possession, play touch football and recover balls. We executed our plan of attack, as usual.

"I don't know if we won the tactical battle, but Manchester United also played attacking football. The whole team played well. We had several players injured and suspended but those who came out to play did a great job. I knew before the game that I had never lost in Rome. Rome for me is a great city."

Whilst Henry celebrated his side's Stadio Olimpico triumph, Wenger was left to reflect on how the Frenchman's abilities could have contributed to last season's title race. The Gunners finished four points behind Manchester United, after fading badly in the last months of the campaign.

"Maybe he could have made a difference last year," said Wenger. "We had 83 points and with him we could have gained two or three more that could have won us the championship. But at that time I felt that a guy who has played eight or nine years for you, and has shown that kind of desire, it's difficult to stand in his way.

"If he had done two or three years I would have said 'My friend, you stay here' but when he has given so much [it is different]. He had this opportunity at Barcelona. He had a first very difficult year but I am very happy he made it this year. He has convinced everybody because he is a top-class player and you want them to be successful."

Wenger stressed it was only Henry who received special treatment in being allowed to leave in pursuit of silverware. He also indicated that he would take a more strident approach to holding onto players in the future.

"Thierry played a long time for us, nobody else did that and he was close to the end of his career. All these players [in the current squad] are at the start of their careers so it's completely different. I think the exact opposite now – I don't see why we should educate the players, get some stick and when they're ready we sell them. That would be masochistic."