Half-fit Henry will play today

LONDON - TO SAVE Arsenal's season, a half-fit Thierry Henry will be risked against PSV Eindhoven today.

He has not played since the first leg of the last-16 Champions League tie, which Arsenal lost 0-1 in Eindhoven.

The captain had a painkilling injection in his foot to get through that match. Manager Arsene Wenger has admitted it only made the injury worse.

'Henry is 50-50 and really not more,' Wenger told Sky Sports.

'But if he can run and play, of course, I will put him in the squad. I do not think we will give him another injection because that did not work the last time.

Failure to overturn PSV's lead at the Emirates Stadium would leave Arsenal empty-handed for a second consecutive season. They lost to Chelsea in the League Cup final, and crashed out of the FA Cup at Blackburn.

In contrast, PSV are on course for a third successive domestic league title. They have the experience to shut out opponents and hit them with a sucker-punch.

The Dutch team have conceded a mere 15 goals in 27 Eredivisie games this season.

'I feel 0-1 is a tricky score. It is difficult, psychologically more than in football terms,' Wenger said on the Arsenal website.

'Obviously, we will have to strike the right balance, and try and get one back as quickly as possible.

'I don't expect PSV to attack us. They try to suck you in and counter-attack.'

The longer the game goes without a goal, the more comfortable PSV will be, the greater the pressure will build on Arsenal, and the more desperate their attacks will become.

So, an early goal will be crucial for the Gunners. At least there is a precedent. Gilberto Silva scored the fastest goal in Champions League history against PSV five years ago.

The midfielder netted after just 20.07 seconds. Arsenal went on to win the game 4-0 in Eindhoven, where their players suffered racial abuse by the fans.

Gilberto said: 'At the end, some of the fans started to sing some monkey songs. The players were very upset. That was the only time I've really encountered this particular kind of problem.'

He admitted that Arsenal cannot afford to lose today.

'It is the biggest game of our season because if we lose, the season will be over in terms of trophies,' the Brazilian said.

'We are going to have to be patient.

'They sat back against us, waited for our mistake, and they capitalised when we lost concentration.

'But we have 90 minutes to win the game, so it is important to remain calm. The rest of our season is in our hands.'

More likely, their goalkeeper's hands - if the match goes into a penalty shoot-out.

That is far from ideal for the Gunners. PSV's Heurelho da Silva Gomes is a formidable opponent in penalties, reported The Guardian.

At 1.96m in height, he wears size-10 gloves, can throw the ball out as far as average goalkeepers kick it and, for another party trick, taps the crossbar with his shoulders when he jumps.

Coach Ronald Koeman called him world class, adding: 'You can only score when you aim balls at the top corner with a speed of 130kmh.'

Gomes laid the foundation for his team's first-leg victory with a couple of brilliant saves.

Wenger is worried that the tie may be beyond Arsenal, and is already looking for a silver lining.

He claimed Arsenal will still have had a successful season if they lose today, after getting the chance to blood youngsters like Theo Walcott, Denilson and Abou Diaby.

He said: 'If we lose to PSV, it will be a big blow but it will not stop the club going forward.

'This team is a machine that nothing can stop progressing. I am convinced of that because of what I have seen of the youngsters.

'The average age of the team that played in the League Cup final was 19. The future is very positive. That is why we have to be strong when we don't win.'

But, in reality, getting knocked out of the Champions League will leave Wenger unfulfilled in Europe's top club tournament.

All that will be left for Arsenal is to strive for third place in the Premiership.

Defeat by PSV would also end their unbeaten record at the Emirates Stadium - a depressing prospect.