Henry out for rest of the season

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LONDON, England -- French international and Arsenal captain Thierry Henry will miss the rest of the season after suffering groin and stomach injuries during the Gunners' Champions League exit against PSV Eindhoven.

Henry will be out of action for the next three months of domestic and international football after damaging the muscles soon after coming on as a second-half substitute at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday.

The France striker was already struggling with foot and hamstring problems, and Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger now hopes that Henry's time on the sidelines will enable him to make a full recovery in time for the start of the 2007-08 campaign.

Wenger told Arsenal's Web site: "Thierry Henry will be out for a minimum of three months. Unfortunately this means he will now miss the rest of this season both domestically and internationally, but we are confident that he will be ready for the start of next season."

Henry's season has been hit by a succession of injuries.

He missed games in September and the whole of December because of hamstring and sciatic injuries. After being sidelined with a foot problem in February, he returned to action as a substitute against PSV Eindhoven but appeared far from fit.

By the end of the game, which Arsenal drew 1-1 to go out 2-1 on aggregate, he was injured again.

Henry has scored 12 goals this season, 10 in the Premier League. He had 33 goals last season, including 27 in the league, and was voted player of the year in England.

With Arsenal also out of both domestic cup competitions and 20 points behind Manchester United in the Premier League title race, there is little more left this season for the Gunners other than making sure they finish in the top four to secure a place in next season's Champions League,

Henry will miss France's next Euro 2008 qualifier at Lithuania later this month and must be doubtful for the home games against Ukraine and Georgia in June.

Extra ban for Adebayor

Arsenal will also have to do without another striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, for an extra game after he was given an additional one-match ban and fined $14,474 after being found guilty of "reacting aggressively and failing to leave the field of play immediately" when sent off in the Carling Cup final.

Adebayor was dismissed after the brawl near the end of Chelsea's 2-1 win over Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium and was given a three-match ban.

He requested a personal hearing to contest the charge but was found guilty by the FA disciplinary commission.

A statement from the FA read: "In sentencing, the commission stated that it had taken into account Adebayor's playing record and the mitigation offered."

Arsenal have admitted a charge, also relating to the cup final, of failing to control their players and/or officials

Chelsea admitted the same charge on March 2 and both clubs have requested personal hearings which have yet to be scheduled.

Arsenal manager Wenger has also responded to an FA request to explain comments made about one of the assistant referees in the Carling Cup final and about the FA's disciplinary procedures.

Wenger's response will now be considered by the FA.

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