Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers
The FA Cup, Semi-Final
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
16 April 2005, 12.15pm



Thierry Henry is out of Arsenal's FA Cup Semi-Final clash against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday with a groin injury.

Henry has had to pull out of the Gunners squad after being sent for a scan on the injury that could potentially keep him out for several weeks.

It is a big blow to Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who will now play Spanish international Jose Reyes instead.

Wenger said: "Thierry is out. He still hoped that he could play but he has a groin problem. We had a scan today and we don't know yet how long he will be out. He could be out for a few days or a few weeks.

"He has felt the injury come on slowly, every day a little bit more. It could be a fatigue factor because of the number of games he has played over the years. But I don't really know.

"It's a blow because ideally we would have wanted him to play tomorrow. He's disappointed. He's down because he is not used to being injured. If you take the number of games he's played over the last five years he's not used to it, and that makes it even more difficult."

Arsenal will also be without England defender Sol Campbell, who will not be risked despite playing two reserve games recently on his return from injury.

Wenger said: "Sol is not involved because he's still a fraction short of fitness, but he' s very close. I prefer him to have a good training session rather than sit on the bench in Cardiff."

Despite the injuries, Wenger says Arsenal will be going all out for victory and are determined to win The FA Cup.

"I feel Reyes will do well and it is a big game for us. We have played now five times in The FA Cup Semi-Finals and so we have always done well. But for our fans and for us this is a very serious game. We want to win it."