Henry looks for Premiership century

Thierry Henry is looking for his 100th Premiership goal as Arsenal take on Southampton tonight amid speculation over the potential return of Glenn Hoddle to the south coast club.

Henry has scored 99 league goals from 144 starts and 15 substitute appearances but is looking to become the 11th player – and the second foreigner after Dwight Yorke – to reach his league century.

In the absence of Dennis Bergkamp, Sylvain Wiltord, Kanu and Jeremie Aliadiere, he is partnered by new signing Jose Reyes, who is making his full Highbury debut.

The game is rumoured to be Southampton boss Gordon Strachan’s last in charge of the club, with Hoddle having been lined up as a possible successor after the Scot’s decision to take a sabbatical.

Strachan, who had intended staying until the end of the season, resists recalling leading scorer James Beattie, with Brett Ormerod and Kevin Phillips selected up front.

David Prutton is banned and Claus Lundekvam, Neil McCann and Matthew Oakley are injured as the visitors look to avoid a repeat of last season’s 6-1 thrashing at Highbury.

Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Campbell, Toure, Cole, Parlour, Vieira, Silva, Pires, Henry, Reyes. Subs: Edu, Cygan, Clichy, Stack, Bentley.

Southampton: Niemi, Kenton, Michael Svensson, Higginbotham, Crainey, Telfer, Anders Svensson, Delap, Le Saux, Ormerod, Phillips. Subs: Beattie, Smith, Hall, Pahars, Baird.

Referee: N Barry (N Lincolnshire)