Shock return for Henry

Thierry Henry made a shock return from his long-term absence as he was included in Arsenal’s squad for their Champions League trip to Sparta Prague to help ease an injury crisis.

Henry has not played for Arsenal since facing Fulham on August 24 after suffering a worsening of his groin inflammation during France’s World Cup qualifier against the Republic of Ireland on September 7.

However, with Freddie Ljungberg now added to an injury list already including Ashley Cole, Sol Campbell and Alexander Hleb, Wenger has made the surprise move to recall his captain ahead of schedule.

Robin van Persie was also back in the squad after missing the weekend defeat at West Bromwich Albion with a thigh problem, while Gilberto returned after suffering jetlag following international duty with Brazil.

However, Ljungberg’s hamstring injury, which was suffered at the Hawthorns, has ruled him out, while Dennis Bergkamp, who does not fly, was also unavailable as Arsenal looked to recover immediately from their weekend defeat.

Arsenal (probable squad): Lehmann, Almunia, Lauren, Eboue, Clichy, Senderos, Toure, Cygan, Gilberto, Fabregas, Flamini, Song, Pires, Reyes, Van Persie, Henry, Owusu-Abeyie, Larsson.