Wenger shrugs off Henry absence

Arsene Wenger has every confidence his young Gunners can rise to the challenge without captain Thierry Henry in Hamburg on Wednesday night.

The Arsenal skipper has been left behind after aggravating a foot injury he sustained while away on international duty with France.

However Wenger said: "We have a big squad, a strong squad and in the short term it should be no problem. We will deal with it."

Robin van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor are again likely to lead the attack, with England Under-21 forward Theo Walcott and new signing Julio Baptista other options from the bench.

Wenger added: "He [Henry] had a foot injury which he got against Italy.

"We injected him on Saturday, but he has had a reaction on it.

"We tried it again this morning [Tuesday], but he was not ready.

"It is a short-term thing. He should be okay for Manchester United on Sunday, but the doctor said he was not fit enough to play.

"We have already played without him and won in the Champions League this season."