Henry fitness battle for Cup

Jim van Wijk

The Frenchman has not featured since the win at Middlesbrough on April 9 because of a groin injury, and along with Freddie Ljungberg, who has a hip problem, aces a race against time to return in time for the Man United clash in Cardiff on May 21.

While Arsene Wenger did not say whether he would consider the pair for the cup final if they had not featured against Birmingham a week on Sunday, the French coach said a warm-up would be "ideal."

Wenger said: "It is difficult to say when they will be back. Freddie has not even started training whereas Thierry has but even then we have to wait a little bit to see how he responds."