Henry, Van Persie injury doubts for United game

Injured Arsenal forwards Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie are doubtful for Sunday's Premier League clash at rivals Manchester United.

Captain and club record striker Henry missed Wednesday's Champions League win at Hamburg SV with an injured foot while Van Persie suffered a hip injury during the game, the north London club said on its website yesterday.

The problems up front will compound Arsenal's existing injury woes. Defenders Philippe Senderos (shoulder), Gael Clichy (foot) and Lauren (knee), plus midfielder Abou Diaby (ankle), are all four to six weeks away from being fit, the club said.

The only good news was that defender Kolo Toure, forced off after only 29 minutes of Wednesday's 2-1 win, should be fit.

"Kolo Toure will have no problem to play on Sunday," manager Arsene Wenger told Arsenal TV Online.

"Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie are a bigger problem. We have to wait a little bit but there is a doubt about both of them.

"Robin has a hip problem. His (foot) got stuck in the pitch when he wanted to keep the ball on. There is a major doubt about him."

On their current domestic form, Arsenal face an uphill task at Old Trafford. They have taken only two points from their first three league games, while a buoyant United are top of the table with four wins from four.