Doubts persist over Henry fitness

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is still unsure whether Thierry Henry will win his battle to be fit for the FA Cup final later this month.

The striker has not featured since the win at Middlesbrough on April 9 because of a groin injury, and along with midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, who has a hip problem, was last night ruled out of contention for the Gunners’ next two Barclays Premiership games.

While Wenger did not declare whether he would consider the pair for the clash with Manchester United at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff on May 21 if they had not featured against Birmingham a week on Sunday, the Frenchman admitted giving them a run-out before then would be preferable.

“Thierry Henry and Freddie Ljungberg will both be out for the next two games,” Wenger told ArsenalPLUS on the club’s official website, www.arsenal.com.

“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.”

Wenger added: “Ideally you would want them to be available before and at least play a game, but we have to be cautious. It just depends who is available on the day.”

Although Arsenal have missed out on this season’s Barclays Premiership title to Chelsea, Wenger knows the importance of finishing second ahead of United to avoid the final qualifying round of the Champions League.

Newcastle discovered the potential perils of the qualifying round last season in being defeated by Partizan Belgrade and ending up in the UEFA Cup.

The Arsenal squad would also have to report for pre-season training a few weeks earlier to ensure they were ready for action.

“It’s very important for us to finish second,” stressed Wenger.

“The qualifying round of the Champions League becomes more and more difficult every year. If you finish second you can say that you are definitely in the Champions League next year. If you finish third, you cannot say that. You are only in the qualifying round.”

Arsenal have at least established a four-point advantage over third-placed United, who must still face West Brom, Chelsea and Southampton.

The Gunners, meanwhile, take on Liverpool at Highbury on Sunday, followed by Everton and Birmingham City.

As well as being without Henry and Ljungberg against Liverpool, England defender Sol Campbell still faces a battle to regain his first-team place, with the form of Philippe Senderos and Kolo Toure having barred his return to the side.

Gael Clichy (foot) is out for the season, but Mathieu Flamini is pushing for a place once more after completing another match for the reserves this week following his thigh injury.

Striker Dennis Bergkamp, meanwhile, will be hoping for a recall to the side, although Robin van Persie impressed again at West Brom last Monday night.