Written by Eu-Jinn Teh on Monday, February 28, 2005

In another sickening injury blow for Arsenal, Thierry Henry has been ruled out of the FA Cup replay against Sheffield United after sustaining an Achilles tendon injury.

Arsenal are already without the suspended Dennis Bergkamp, José Antonio Reyes and Robin van Persie - and now may have to call on Quincy Owusu-Abeyie or Arturo Lupoli to lead Arsenal's attack alongside Freddie Ljungberg.

Arsène Wenger said to Arsenal.com: "Thierry is out with an Achilles problem. Therefore I have to think about who I play up front."

"Ljungberg is an option but anyway we need a second striker. I have to decide whether it will be Aliádíère, Quincy or Lupoli who starts with him up front. I don't know which yet but those three will be involved."

Jeremie Aliádíère has just returned from injury, and Wenger will not want to rush him back into a starting position.

"I don't know who will start yet," said Wenger, "but I feel Aliádíère is too short. He has only had 60 minutes of Reserve football after six months out. He can come on for 20 minutes but I don't think I will make him start."

Returning from is Cesc Fabregas, who was suspended on Saturday. With Sol Campbell, Robért Píres, Edu, and Gilberto ruled out through injury, Arsenal will have to dig deep if they want to progress through to the next round.

On Píres' injury, Wenger said: "It doesn't look like anything is fractured. But it is a good ankle sprain."

"It does not look like he will be ready for two to three weeks."

Wenger also had something to say about his other injured players: "Sol will be out for two more weeks. It is open for Edu. The earliest is Bayern but even then there is a question mark."

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