Henry pledges to play

PATRICK VIEIRA is still battling to regain fitness in time for Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford as Arsenal hope to stave off an injury crisis ahead of the match which could severely dent Manchester United’s title ambitions.

And Thierry Henry also eased fears as he pledged to recover from an ankle injury to face United, warning his side have added a dogged “fighting spirit” to their natural ability.

Vieira, whose dismissal at Old Trafford sparked last season’s melee, initially only had a 20% chance of playing on Sunday after being ruled out of the midweek Champions League tie in Athens with a twisted ankle.