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Thierry Henry is set to miss Arsenal ’s legends game this weekend.

A team of Gunners old boys face their AC Milan counterparts at the Emirates on Saturday, and it had been hoped legendary former striker Henry would be among the big names taking part.

But he has swerved a potential showdown with boss Arsene Wenger, who vetoed his offer to coach the club’s kids for free while working in his £5.3million-a-year role as a Sky Sports pundit.

It is unclear whether Henry - who has no issues with his former club - was asked to take part in Saturday’s game before being confirmed as an assistant to new Belgium boss Roberto Martinez last week.

In pictures — Thierry Henry in his new job on Belgium's coaching staff:

But plans to get the 39-year-old to record a special video message to be played at the star-studded occasion have been shelved.

Henry is listed alongside the likes of Robert Pires, Freddie Ljungberg, David Seaman, Marc Overmars, Sylvain Wiltord and Emmanuel Petit set to take part on Saturday.

Teasers promoting the match make clear that appearances are subject to player availability.

But it had been hoped that Henry could still be involved, despite his commitments with Belgium.

(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty)

The Martinez era begins with a home friendly against Spain on Thursday. They are then scheduled to train on Saturday morning before travelling for their World Cup qualifier in Cyprus next Tuesday.

Henry joins a number of former Arsenal stars frustrated at not being allowed to give something back to the club he served with distinction in a coaching capacity.

Although he has a statue outside the Emirates Stadium, the Frenchman will now follow the likes of Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and Mikel Arteta in continuing his coaching career elsewhere.

(Image: AMA SPORTS PHOTO)

Henry had been offered a coaching role with Arsenal’s Under-18s by head of the academy Andries Jonker, only the move to be vetoed by Wenger.

Having achieved his A licence qualification working with Arsenal’s youngsters, the former striker had been seeking the opportunity to get UEFA pro licence with the Under-18s.

But he was stunned to be told the position was a full-time one and could not be combined with his Sky work.

Even though Henry had been prepared to work with Under-18 coach Kwame Ampadu for free - or to coach the club’s strikers on a similar basis - Wenger still rejected the offer.