Henry laid low by hamstring woe

Sciatic problem
Henry missed the London club's recent Premiership matches against Bolton Wanderers FC, Tottenham Hotspur FC and Chelsea FC in addition to last week's 0-0 UEFA Champions League draw at FC Porto, because of a sciatic nerve problem affecting his neck, back and hamstring. And according to Wenger, the 29-year-old's hamstring requires further treatment.

'Time needed'
"Thierry has started his rehabilitation," said Wenger. "But he is still not completely free from his hamstring injury. We hope we can slowly build him up and make him competitive again. The neck problem is sorted out. He had a sciatic nerve problem and a hamstring problem. And the hamstring is the most troubling for him now."

Long season
It is thought Henry's fitness problems have been brought on by playing as many as 60 matches this calendar year. Last season Henry guided Arsenal to the UEFA Champions League final and also appeared in France's seven games at the FIFA World Cup. "I have to rest," he said. "I have been saying since the start of the season, I'm nowhere near fully fit. I played a lot of games and, emotionally, losing two finals is not easy. You have to listen to your body. What I need to do is get fit and injury-free and then I will be out there helping the team the best way I can." The forward has scored six goals in 12 league outings for sixth-placed Arsenal this term.