Gunners a fighting force even without Henry, says Wenger

ARSENAL expect Thierry Henry to return for Tuesday’s trip to Fulham but manager Arsene Wenger insists they are anything but a one-man team.

The Gunners had to do without their captain, who had a neck injury, at Bolton on Saturday, where they lost 3-1, despite dominating play for long spells.

Robin van Persie will return from a one-match suspension and there is a chance Tomas Rosicky could feature after being sidelined with a hamstring problem.

While the absence of Henry clearly changes the balance of the side, Arsenal’s best Barclays Premiership result of the campaign came without their talisman, a 1-0 victory at leaders Manchester United back in September. It remains United’s only league defeat to date.

However, Wenger stressed the need not to become overly reliant on Henry, who was left on the bench against Newcastle earlier this month, following a hectic schedule for club and country.

“Thierry has played a lot of games up front on his own this year and that is a lot of work to get through,” Wenger said.

“However, I always think you should not focus on just one footballer.

“Thierry is an immense player, but we have won games without him before.

“We know that Thierry is an essential player for us, but on individual occasions we can win without him.”

Following the 1-1 draw between United and second-placed Chelsea on Sunday, the Gunners, currently sixth, are now 13 points off the pace, albeit with a game in hand.

Wenger admitted his frustration and “sadness” at seeing another chance of victory slip away after three attempts came back off the woodwork.

However, he continues to stress his unwavering belief in the ability of last season’s Champions League finalists to achieve much.

“You can see that the quality and potential is there. The quicker we learn, the quicker we will get satisfaction.”

The size of the task, though, is not lost on midfielder Gilberto: “Now it is time for us to realise every match must be like a final if we are to win the title.

“When you let the other team score first, then it is even more difficult, especially when you have been playing well and they hit you on the break,” said the Brazilian, who scored at the Reebok Stadium.

“We need believe in ourselves, because to give up now is not the Arsenal way,” said 30-year-old Gilberto. “The character of everyone here, the manager and in the team, means no-one will give up.”

Theo Walcott could be handed another run-out at Craven Cottage after starting against Bolton and Gilberto said: “Theo did well and was not scared of playing. He will improve the more he plays. He will get experience behind him, which will give him a lot more confidence.”