Wenger: Henry out for six weeks

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has revealed Thierry Henry’s groin injury could now keep the French international out of action for up to six weeks.

However, Wenger played down the training ground tackle by defender Emmanuel Eboue, which left winger Robin van Persie angry and requiring treatment ahead of tomorrow’s Champions League group tie against FC Thun.

While van Persie should recover to face the Swiss side, Henry could miss up to eight Premiership and Champions League ties, as well as the Carling Cup third round and France’s final two World Cup qualifying ties.

Wenger, who has now extended his initial predictions for Henry’s absence due to an inflammation of the groin, revealed: “I consider that he’s out for six weeks.

“Any other news will then be good news. It could still be four weeks, but I am counting six and then I can only have a good surprise.

“Ideally, we’d like Thierry to be with us as he’s a world-class player. But I feel it’s a good opportunity for the younger players, such as Robin van Persie, Jose Antonio Reyes and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie to show how good they are.”

Henry, who missed the weekend defeat at Middlesbrough, could now be ruled out of Premiership games against Everton, West Ham and Birmingham, as well as possibly West Brom and Manchester City.

He could also miss the Champions League trips to Ajax and Sparta Prague, as well as tomorrow’s opener against FC Thun at Highbury, adding to Wenger’s problems as Jens Lehmann is suspended.

The Arsenal boss is at least confident Van Persie will have recovered from a painful knock to his right shin, which was sustained in the final stages of training when he was caught by Ivory Coast international right-back Eboue.

The Dutch winger’s furious reaction was caught by television cameras, but Wenger insisted: “He’s okay. He got a kick but I don’t think he miss tomorrow’s game.

“I’ve never seen someone happy when they’ve been kicked but it was a minor incident. There is no problem between them.”

Wenger was rather circumspect about Sol Campbell’s chances of starting tomorrow’s game, having missed the start of the season with a calf injury.

“Sol is back to normal fitness. He’s working hard, focused and motivated, but come to the game and you will see whether he plays,” said Wenger.