Henry: T-shirt tribute (TonyMarshall/Empics)

New FIFA regulations have outlawed players from revealing slogans beneath their jerseys, but Henry's congratulatory message to a friend who has just given birth has been thankfully overlooked.

The FA today said they would be contacting the France striker - who scored as the Gunners returned to the top of the Premiership with a 2-1 win over Manchester City - to clarify the new rules.

Spokesman Adrian Bevington said: 'We will be writing to Thierry Henry to remind him of the regulation.

'Clearly, this was intended as a goodwill gesture towards the new-born baby and we accept that. However, it is a breach of the international board regulations and we therefore feel the need to remind him of those regulations.'

FIFA imposed the ludicrous ban following the Brazil squad's celebrations after their victory over Germany in the World Cup in Yokohama in June.

Last night Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger pleaded with football's authorities to see sense after learning that Henry could face a dressing-down.

'Everything is forbidden now,' he said. 'To show emotions is forbidden.'

Wenger urged that spontaneity should be catered for in the game, although he admitted that daubing a message on a shirt could hardly be described as being spontaneous.

He added: 'It is nice. It is a moment when people look to see what he has put on the T-shirt.

'I don't know why you should be punished unless you have bad things on the T-shirt.'

On more serious playing matters, Wenger was delighted that his side had equalled City's record of scoring in 44 consecutive top-flight matches, which has stood since 1937.

Wenger added: 'The records just witness the consistency, great ambition and mental strength of this team because they go every time for the win. It highlights that we play to score goals. Now we want to win the next game as well and score again.'

On another brighter note, Freddie Ljungberg is set to make his comeback from injury for Arsenal reserves this afternoon.

'Freddie looks very sharp in training, very fit, and we'll see how he plays,' said Wenger.

Meanwhile, City manager Kevin Keegan could face a disrepute charge from the FA after describing the performance of one of last night's referee's assistants as: 'So biased it was frightening'.

The former England coach had watched midfielder Ali Bernarbia being sent off in the 85th minute after receiving a second yellow card for his angry reaction to the linesman's decision.