Sparta Prague v Arsenal: Thierry Henry is set to provide Arsenal's ailing season with the boost the club craves by returning to action in the Champions League Group B encounter against Sparta Prague.

As a Frenchman he might not like reminding of it but, for Arsenal fans, the feeling will be akin to seeing the Prussians come over the hill at Waterloo.

In the weeks since September 7th, when Arsenal were shorn of their captain as he picked up a groin injury while playing for his country, they have failed to muster anything approaching a title challenge.

Arsenal's worst start to a Premiership season since 1994 continued with a 2-1 defeat at The Hawthorns on Saturday. Wenger hopes that will prove to be the nadir. "Thierry wants to play; he won't start but ideally he will play half an hour."

Wenger's relief will also centre on the return of Gilberto Silva to the first team, who was absent on Saturday due to his late return from Brazil's World Cup qualifier against Chile. "In Europe experience is important," he said. "We lack Sol Campbell, Gilberto and Thierry altogether from the spine of the team. It is too much. Ashley (Cole) as well has a lot of experience. We have been hit very hard with the internationals. We have lost Sol, Ashley, Alexander Hleb, Freddie Ljungberg in the next game. What team can afford to lose six or seven players, all of international calibre?"

Arsenal are at risk of losing two captains in as many summers, since Henry has deferred talks over a new contract and Barcelona consider him their prime transfer target. Perhaps a first appearance in the European Cup final for Arsenal would help persuade Henry to remain. However, Wenger will not make the Champions League a particular priority. "I hate to put the chances of the team on a cup competition because the real quality of the team is in the championship and we cannot give that up," he said.

Wenger's preparations for tonight's match were upset when he was told of comments of Graham Stack, in which the former Arsenal goalkeeper claimed the club is riddled with cliques based around disparate nationalities. "The spirit in this squad is as strong, if not stronger than any other year," Wenger hit back. "I feel you can come from different countries and share the same values or can come from the same country and not share the same values. In this club shared values are important and that is very, very strong."

Arsenal have won their two European matches and Sparta's threat will be limited by the crowd reduction imposed on the club for previous racist incidents.

There has been further flux at the Czech club, with the former Manchester United winger Karel Poborsky having been sacked along with the manager. The new coach Stanislav Griga returned to the club where he was a crowd favourite from a meditation holiday in India. If things proceed as they have so far for Arsenal this season, next summer Wenger might join him. Guardian Service