Arsenal defender William Gallas reportedly told Gunners boss and fellow Frenchman Arsene Wenger that Henry’s handball actually ‘hit his chest’!

The French international scored the controversial goal in the World Cup play-off second leg against the Republic of Ireland to send his country through to the finals in South Africa courtesy of a 2-1 aggregate victory.

Gallas’ finish followed the now infamous ‘hand of Henry’ which broke the hearts of millions of Irish football fans and sparked worldwide outcry.

Arsene Wenger was speaking in a press conference ahead of the Gunners’ game with Sunderland on Saturday but he rarely discussed the fixture with conversations over his French compatriots dominating proceedings.

Wenger joked that Gallas claimed to him on Friday the ball ‘hit his [Henry’s] chest’, when referring to the incident in a training session.

It seems the former Arsenal captain himself has already began to see the humorous side of the dramatic on-goings at the Stade de France.

The centre back will travel to the Stadium of Light with the rest of the Emirates squad but he would do well to keep his humour to himself against Sunderland's Republic of Ireland international Andy Reid. Rumours abound that Sunderland's Dublin-born chairman Niall Quinn is preparing a special welcome for Gallas and co. this afternoon remain unfounded also.