Thierry Henry: I'll be back

Thierry Henry has vouched to bounce back next season for the Gunners after being ruled out for the rest of the season. The Arsenal captain damaged stomach and groin muscles after appearing as a substitute in Wednesday night Champions League exit to PSV Eindhoven.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper, the 29-year-old said: "I am obviously devastated. I will miss the rest of the season. It is a tough end to what has been a difficult season for me. It has been very frustrating.

"But I hope to get back to full fitness soon and will then look forward to having a great season with Arsenal next year."

Henry's comments will momentarily end speculation that the Frenchman has played his last game for the North London club.

It will help convince manager Arsene Wenger that his side's talismanic striker will continue providing his much-needed experience to Arsenal's young side.

Henry has suffered his worst season in six years with the Gunners, after being ruled out for much of the campaign with niggling injuries following a demanding year on the pitch.

His appearance from the bench on during Wednesday's 1-1 draw at the Emirates, which saw Arsenal crash out 2-1 on aggregate to Ronald Koeman's Dutch side, came after recovering from a foot injury.

A previous problem with his neck had sidelined the skipper for almost two months - his longest period out of an Arsenal shirt.

But Henry remains confident of returning stronger for the Gunners next term, and hopes his young side will continue to grown in his absence.

Her said: "This setback will make me even more determined, yet it has certainly been one thing after another.

"Last season was a very long one for me, right up to the Champions League final and then the World Cup final with France.

"I only had a few weeks' break and then the Premiership started.

"First of all, there was the sciatic nerve problem, which kept me out for a while. Then, most recently of all, the foot injury. Now these injuries against PSV.

"Any player will tell you it is not nice sitting in the stands watching our team play. You would always rather be out there on the pitch.

"But, hopefully, our young team can enjoy a good end to the season.

"People must remember, most of them are still young and they have to be given time."

UEFA Champions league, PSV 1-0 Arsenal

Harsh lesson for Arsenal

Edison Mendez punished wasteful Arsenal with a stunning strike to clinch a 1-0 win for PSV Eindhoven in the first leg of their Champions League first knockout round tie. Arsene Wenger's side enjoyed total control at the Phillips Stadium for an hour, but Ecuador midfielder Mendez's moment of magic gave PSV the edge going into the return at the Emirates Stadium on March 7.

"From tonight we're in a tricky situation because we'll have to score two goals without conceding," Wenger admitted, "but I feel from the game we have seen tonight we have enough confidence and belief that we can achieve that."

PSV were depleted by the loss of their top scorer, Jefferson Farfán, because of a swollen left foot but his presence would have provided little assistance to a PSV side who spent almost the entire first half defending. Wenger had criticised the PSV manager, Ronald Koeman, for employing "negative" tactics when Arsenal twice drew with his Ajax side in the 2002-03 competition and the Frenchman was frustrated again last night.
"I felt that they started the game to play a nil-nil. It was important to score the first goal and afterwards they defended even more," he said. Koeman rejected Wenger's claim and said: "It was a deserved result and we are in a fantastic position."

Match Analysis:
Tomas Rosicky almost gave Arsenal the perfect start when he squeezed in a shot from a tight angle that Gomes got a hand on before Carlos Salcido scrambled the ball off the line as Henry prepared to pounce. Jens Lehmann was only called into action once in the first 25 minutes and even then he easily dealt with a speculative drive from Mendez.

Henry should have broken the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Rosicky and Aleksandr Hleb combined to set him up, but Henry's shot from 12 yards was too close to Gomes. Henry's frustration at that miss was evident as he fought to win possession moments later and sent a curling shot just past the far post.

PSV striker Arouna Kone had been well policed by his Ivory Coast compatriot Kolo Toure for long spells, but he escaped early in the second half to meet Salcido's cross with a volley that went narrowly wide of the far post. That near-miss sparked PSV into life and they took the lead in the 61st minute thanks to a moment of pure class. Kone's lay-off gave Mendez the chance to drive in a raking 30 yard strike that skimmed off the turf past Lehmann, who will feel he should have done better after getting a hand to the ball.

Arsenal had been punished for failing to turn their dominance into goals, but they responded well and Cesc Fabregas' fierce effort forced Gomes into a superb tip-over. But Wenger's side were left to rue those early misses as PSV held on for their first win over Arsenal in five attempt.

Arsenal's lost chance and PSV's goal:

Thierry Henry and David Beckham on call for 2018 as World Cup bid gathers pace

Thierry Henry and David Beckham may be approached to act as ambassadors for England's 2018 World Cup bid if the FA decides to proceed with plans to bring the tournament to England for the first time since 1966.

England is well placed because most of the infrastructure is in place and public support is strong. Six stadiums already meet the Fifa requirements and a further five have been identified as possible venues.

Report also stresses that unlike the Olympics the bulk of the expense would be borne by football clubs. It is a mark of the concerns raised by the Olympic experience that the study repeatedly warns that the FA will have to provide "robust and realistic assessments of costs" to secure government support.

The bid, which gathered impetus yesterday with the publication of a feasibility study backed by Gordon Brown, would seek to enlist footballing "ambassadors" and Henry and Beckham are at the top of the list. Seb Coe, chairman of London 2012 and Fifa's ethics committee, could also expect to be approached.

Wenger eager to overcome Emirates problem.

Arsene Wenger accepts Arsenal continue to be slow starters at the Emirates Stadium - but backed the 'character and resilience' of his side to see them through.
Not for the first time this season, the Gunners found themselves trailing at their new 60,000-seater home when Denny Landzaat fired struggling Wigan into a first-half lead with a brilliant strike. But Arsenal regrouped following the interval and hit back to level through an own goal from Fitz Hall before Tomas Rosicky's late winner consolidated their position in fourth place in the Premiership - now just one point behind Liverpool with a match in hand.

Wenger understands the need to avoid constantly making life difficult for themselves at home. 'It is down to us to show more consistency,' said the Arsenal manager. 'They were on top of us - but we never decide to put ourselves in that position. 'Everybody comes here and starts very well, whereas we find it difficult. But usually other teams drop in the final part of the game and that is where our character and resilience comes through.'

Henry admitted the Gunners had been somewhat fortunate. Henry said: 'Mathieu Flamini was offside so sometimes you have to put your hands up when you score goals like that. 'You cannot be too proud about it. Sometimes it goes against you and sometimes it goes for you. You have to be honest when it goes for you to say it out loud.'

Arsenal 2-1 Manchester united

Late goals from Robin van Persie and Thierry Henry saw Arsenal come from behind to earn a dramatic win over Premiership leaders Manchester United.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side looked to be taking full advantage of Chelsea's Saturday slip-up as Wayne Rooney diving header seemed set to separate the two sides. However, Robin van Persie came off the bench to equalise and deep into stoppage time Thierry Henry headed a winner to spark scenes of celebration.

Blackburn 0-2 Arsenal;

Arsenal made light of the 12th-minute dismissal of Gilberto to deservedly beat Blackburn, thanks to goals from Kolo Toure and Thierry Henry.

Kolo Toure nodded them ahead nine minutes before the break and Thierry Henry secured the points with a vicious strike 19 minutes from time. Rovers had their chances but they could hardly complain about the result. Arsenal were up against it all day but conjured their third win in eight days in this part of the country and their fifth victory in seven North-West trips this season.


Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger:

"We were under pressure and we showed we can resist that and still play good football. "We showed solidarity, good technique and some wonderful movement. "The sending off looked harsh, although Gilberto reacted when he shouldn't.

Liverpool 1-3 Arsenal

Arsenal produced three stylish goals as they dumped FA Cup holders Liverpool out of the competition with a stubborn and resilient third round performance.
Tomas Rosicky curled a sublime strike and squeezed in a shot from the edge of the box to put the visitors 2-0 ahead. Liverpool hit back when Dirk Kuyt glanced in from point-blank range.
But Thierry Henry ended hopes of a Reds comeback when he robbed Jamie Carragher and slotted home to book Arsenal's place in Monday's fourth round draw.

Resurgent Henry triggers victory;
Arsenal 4 Charlton 0, Arsenal started 2007 with Thierry Henry back in the team, back in the goals and back in the groove. Henry looked invigorated after a break to recharge his batteries. He scored the first goal from the penalty spot, hit a post and had another ruled out for offside. Justin Hoyte added a second and two second-half goals from Robin van Persie sealed a comfortable victory.