henry is ruled out [Archive] - Soccer Gaming Forums

KoreaJjang

06-12-2003, 09:41:AM

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Gunners lose Henry
sportinglife.com

Arsenal have been hit by a significant injury blow ahead of Saturday's game at Leicester, with Thierry Henry being forced to join Patrick Vieira on the sidelines.

Wenger has not included Vieira in the squad for the game at the Walkers Stadium as his captain continues his cautious comeback from a thigh injury.

The French international, who suffered a fresh injury headache on his previous return from injury in October, is being rested for next week's decisive Champions League tie against Lokomotiv Moscow.

However, Wenger's plans for the game at Leicester have also now been affected by a muscle problem sustained by Henry to his leg during training.

The striker will also miss the Leicester game and the Arsenal boss must therefore decide whether to turn to Sylvain Wiltord or Jeremie Aliadiere alongside Dennis Bergkamp or Kanu.

It is not yet clear whether Henry will recover in time for next week's European fixture, although Vieira should be ready for that game after being rested at Leicester as a precaution.

After all, Wenger is fully aware of how his decision to bring Vieira on as a substitute in Kiev in October backfired on him.

The midfielder only made his first-team comeback in the midweek Carling Cup victory against Wolves and Wenger does not wish to risk another setback - despite Vieira's desire to play tomorrow.

"My thinking is that Patrick has been out for two months and to play him for two full games in four days would be too much," he revealed.

"I cannot go into a game like Leicester thinking that I would take him off at half-time or after 60 minutes as it never works like that. After an hour, maybe the game is 0-0 and you cannot take him off.

"So he's not in the squad. I have left him out completely as I want to sharpen him up fitness-wise."

"Patrick is never happy when he doesn't play. He's a very proud boy and he wants to play in every game. But you cannot expect the impossible of a player."

It was later revealed by Arsenal that Henry would also be ruled out of the Leicester game, with a further update expected from Wenger tomorrow.

The Arsenal boss will nevertheless be hoping that both players will be fit for the all-important final group game against Lokomotiv Moscow and beyond.

"The problem in England is that your big players sometimes don't get the needed rest as there is no break in the season," he added.

"Patrick has got an unwanted rest but I'm sure he can take advantage of that for the rest of the season. With a fit Patrick, we can always do better."

Wenger is also still without Ray Parlour, meaning that Gilberto Silva is set to continue in central midfield despite being booed off the pitch by a section of the Highbury crowd in the goalless draw against Fulham last weekend.

"I was disappointed but the people who booed him were not in the majority," Wenger told the Evening Standard.

"It will not affect him. He will respond well."

While Lauren is still banned, Martin Keown is back in the squad after injury and suspension, and Wenger is looking for his side to respond positively to their frustration against Fulham.

"When you got to Leicester, you know that you will get commitment and you will need top-level concentration levels and commitment. Without them, you don't come away with the points," he warned.

"We had a frustrating result against Fulham after playing well and it's important for us to get back and keep our record strong. We expect a difficult game."

Wenger, meanwhile, played down reports of an imminent bid by Arsenal for 20-year-old Seville striker Jose Reyes.

He insisted: "Someone asked me whether I'd offered ?1 million! It's not Christmas yet - only the start of December. I know him, yes, but we're not after anyone at the moment."