Henry: Let's raise our game

Thierry Henry knows his Arsenal team must “raise our game” when the Gunners head to Charlton for their “crucial” Barclays Premiership clash on Boxing Day.

Defeat by Chelsea at Highbury last weekend has left Arsene Wenger’s men languishing down in eighth place, and facing stiff competition from the likes of north-London rivals Tottenham and Bolton – not to mention Manchester United and Liverpool – for Champions League qualification.

Arsenal have looked a different side in Europe this season though, remaining unbeaten as they moved into the last 16 of the elite club competition where they will face Real Madrid.

But before that double-header in February and March, however, the Gunners will face many a test of their Premiership credentials – starting at The Valley on Monday lunchtime.

“Things aren’t going our way. It’s not an excuse, but it’s the way it is,” reflected Henry.

“The main thing is that we all have to raise our game. It’s not only down to one or two players, we all now have to raise our game.”

The Arsenal captain added: “It’s going to be crucial as Charlton aren’t doing that well in the league and we’re not either.

“It’s vital now, more than ever, to get the three points.”

Wenger will recall his first-team regulars for the trip to south-east London having continued the tactic of fielding a reserve-strength side for the Carling Cup quarter-final tie at Coca-Cola League One club Doncaster.

By contrast Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has warned his players he is ready to wield the axe again following another lacklustre defensive display in the 3-0 defeat by Wigan.

After finally arresting a run of six straight losses by beating bottom club Sunderland, Curbishley was left “completely and utterly shocked” as his team capitulated at the JJB Stadium.

And the Addicks boss maintained he would once again be asking some tough questions as he prepared for the visit of the Gunners.

“The players, before and after games, are well informed how I feel, but when they cross the white line it’s different,” Curbishley said.

“If one of them can’t be bothered to track his man then he will have to come out of the team now. It’s as simple of that.”

The Charlton manager declared: “In the last four weeks enough talking has been done – it’s a time for action.

“Our first game over Christmas is a local derby and I’m looking for a response. Hopefully I’ll get that.”

Elsewhere on Boxing Day, Middlesbrough will come face to face with Blackburn for the second time in the space of a week following their Carling Cup quarter-final tie on Teesside.

The last time Steve McClaren’s men were in Barclays Premiership action, they recovered from going a goal down to twice lead Tottenham, only to then succumb to Mido’s late equaliser.

The 3-3 draw left the Teessiders sitting 13th in the table, eight points adrift of the top-six finish they had targeted at the start of the campaign.

Boro have already secured a last-32 clash with German side VfB Stuttgart in the UEFA Cup, but captain Gareth Southgate believes the performance against Spurs summed up the domestic campaign to date.

“I actually thought we played quite well, but at the end of the day, we have only got a point to show for it, and that’s disappointing,” the 35-year-old said.

“The gaffer said we defended pretty well, but individual mistakes are costing us.

“It’s one person one week and a different one the next.”

Southgate continued: “We are very confident of scoring goals against anyone home or away, but we shouldn’t be scoring three at home and only getting a point - that’s criminal.

“It basically sums up why our league position is so disappointing.”

Rovers – a point and a place above Boro in the table – will go into the Premiership encounter looking to improve on a run of three defeats from their last four league matches.

“We just need to take that final step, have a little bit more belief in certain situations to kill teams off and then we will go to the next level,” said manager Mark Hughes. “But until we do, then that will hold us back.”