Thierry boost for Gunners

Thierry Henry is fighting to be fit for Arsenal's two crunch Premiership matches this weekend.

The France striker had been ruled out of the games against Liverpool tomorrow and the trip to Newcastle on Sunday after being substituted in the Champions League defeat by Chelsea. Arsene Wenger was certain a hamstring problem would mean his star player missing the key clashes as Arsenal attempt to put their season back on track.

But a scan has shown that Henry had a back problem rather than any hamstring damage and he has been under intensive massage treatment in a bid to be fit.

Henry told French newspaper L'Equipe: "I want to play so much. The games are very important to us and I want to be out there.

"The plan is for me to have more treatment and a test of my fitness a few hours before the match against Liverpool."

Freddie Ljungberg is also battling to play having faced Chelsea after four painkilling injections and with a light cast to protect two broken bones in his right hand.

An examination yesterday revealed no further displacement of the broken bones. There will be a further check on Monday, after the Liverpool and Newcastle games.

Depending on the result of that check, he will either continue to play with the light cast or have a pin inserted next week.