Wenger unsure of Henry return date
The striker, 29, is currently sidelined because of a foot problem, having endured his fair share of fitness issues this season following a gruelling campaign which ended with defeat in the World Cup final.
Henry will definitely miss today’s Premiership visit of Reading, and is also rated at only 50-50 for the crucial Champions League clash with PSV Eindhoven on Wednesday night.
Wenger revealed initially it had been hoped a pain-killing injection would solve the problem, but now accepts his talisman will need more treatment.
The Arsenal manager explained: “Thierry has a problem with his foot. We injected him at Eindhoven and it made it worse. They said there was no danger. It was just like a bad kick and it was to stop the pain, so he could get through the game. Thierry has had injury problems the whole season.
“The fact he played maybe a lot last year — the Champions League final and also the World Cup final — has contributed.
“We have played 46 games this season, while Wigan have played 30 — plus there are the international games as well. Some of our players have played 50 games.”
The Arsenal manager will continue to fight Arsenal’s corner with the FA when he believes the cause to be just.
The Gunners boss has been asked to explain his claim “the whole system is not honest”, in reference to the disciplinary procedures of the FA, and suggestions the assistant referee “lied” in his report over the brawl which marred the end of the Carling Cup.
The Arsenal manager said: “I am not subtle enough maybe to master it completely, but when the truth does not come out you call it as you want. A mistake, a lie, I do not know.
“It is not the truth. The FA have one responsibility, it is to respect football. If you tomorrow are manager of Arsenal and you can prove Adebayor intended not to punch Frank Lampard would you say ‘yes he intended that, thank you very much, the FA are so big, three games, no six? Okay.’
“I can say what I think. They can put me up on the wall and shoot me down, but it still does not make that decision right. If they do not like my words, then they do not like it. I will never change.
“Would you like to see me with a dictionary after the game and think ‘oh no, that is a little bit too strong, what is the synonym of that word because I could be punished by the FA?’”
Adebayor was sent off on Sunday following a consultation between referee Howard Webb and his assistant. A subsequent appeal for wrongful dismissal failed, and the Togo striker could yet face further sanctions for “reacting aggressively and failing to leave the pitch immediately” after being sent off at a personal hearing on March 6.
Wenger, however, maintains Arsenal have video evidence to support their case.
“The report says he aimed to punch Lampard. I say today not only did he not punch Lampard, he also did not aim to punch Lampard. I am capable of proving it in front of the whole press and the FA,” he insisted.
“With professional editors we can show that Adebayor never intended the throw any punch.
“Image by image we can prove he did not intend or aim to punch Lampard. It is as simple as that.
“Not only did he not intend to throw any punch, he tried to separate people who were around Lampard.”
Wenger added: “I say the club has in this case been treated with disrespect and deserves much better than that — and I do not accept it.
Wenger, however, rejected the notion Arsenal were the victims of a witch-hunt.
“We over-reacted against Chelsea. I came out and apologised. All which happened after for me is not right, and as the manager responsible for the club I am entitled to say that when it is not right. If I am punished, I do not mind.
“But I feel strongly enough for Arsenal to say when the club are punished not in the right way, that I have the right to come out and say it.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
