1. Henry is fit and makes the starting eleven
2. Henry is not fit enough to start and starts the match on the bench
3. Henry is unfit and doesn't make the squad
My concerns before the match with regards the inclusion of an unfit player were obvious but Wenger decided to go with Baptista and Adebayor up front and left the Frenchman on the bench.
I have serious reservations about playing an injured player, or even using a player as a substitute when he is not fully fit. On 66 minutes Henry replaced the largely ineffective Baptista and he looked under the weather from his first touch. His best chance was a free kick that he whipped over the wall, which was saved well by the commanding Gomes.
The game ended 1-1 and Arsenal's unbeaten home streak continued but they slipped out of the Champions League, whilst the three other English clubs made it through.
It was a far cry from the impressive run Arsenal had in last year's Champions League, where they were only minutes from snatching a deserved victory. This season the Gunners didn't have that same spark or the same belief that they could go all the way.
To make matters worse, Wenger's decision to use Henry despite his lack of fitness backfired. The Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said:
| “Thierry has torn his groin and a stomach muscle and he will be scanned tomorrow (Thursday). It’s sad for him. It has been a difficult season for Thierry.” |
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Henry could be out for up to six weeks depending on the severity and location of the injuries and that could keep him out until the middle of April. Henry's season has been blighted with injury and he has already missed ten Premiership and three Champions League games. These absences represent approximately one third of games played in each competition.
It's sad to hear that he has picked up another injury, which could rule him out for the Premiership run in. Henry admits that he's been playing through the pain barrier this season and said:
| “This season I have often been on the pitch when I haven't felt at my best, but I always want to be out there helping the team. Sometimes it works - against Manchester United for example. I scored right at the end of the game, and everyone went ballistic, but if I didn't score that goal, then I was rubbish to be honest. I can count on the fingers of one hand the times I've played this season without feeling pain.” |
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Talking in the matchday programme Henry was aware of the risk he could take by playing on an injury and he was eerily accurate.
| “There is no doubt that it's an important game tonight, a massive game, and, if possible I will be there if I'm needed. It might set me back but I don't care - I want to be there."th> |
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The return to fitness of van Persie is a top priority for Arsenal, who now have their top two goal scorers out injured. And in a time where Arsenal have been struggling to score it's not obvious where the goals will come from especially when you look at the scoring stats for the Premiership this season.
Gilberto: 8
Adebayor: 6
Flamini: 3
Gallas: 2
Toure: 2
Rosicky: 1
Hoyte: 1
Baptista: 1
With Henry and van Persie sidelined and a midfield that has only scored 12 goals all season it's hard to see where the goals will come from. Let's just hope Arsene knows...
