Desperate Wenger Could Bring Back Henry Against Charlton

Arsène Wenger is considering reinstating Thierry Henry to the Arsenal line-up for the first time in more than a month against Charlton today after Arsenal were struck by a forwards injury crisis.

The Gunners' 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on Saturday caused Arsenal to suffer more than missed points, with Julio Baptista and Robin van Persie both likely to join Emmanuel Adebayor on the injury list. The Bramall Lane defeat has left Arsenal outside the Champions League positions and Wenger searching for options up front, with Jérémie Aliadière the only match-fit striker.

Theo Walcott is still nursing a back problem and the paucity of available players could cause the Arsenal manager to accelerate Henry's return. The Arsenal captain has been absent since November 29 after sciatica reduced his mobility with hamstring and neck damage.

Without him Arsenal recorded victories over Tottenham, Wigan, Blackburn and Watford but Saturday's reverse makes victory in this afternoon's encounter with Charlton a necessity.

Henry had been targeting the FA Cup third-round tie against Liverpool for his comeback but Arsenal's need appears more pressing. "We have to assess the situation as late as possible," said Wenger. "At the moment it is difficult to say. It looks like Emmanuel Eboué will not be back. [Alexander] Hleb, [Johan] Djourou and Henry I don't know.

"Adebayor will still be out. We have a few uncertainties from Sheffield United. Van Persie got a knock on his ankle. Baptista will be out definitely. He had a kick and has a bad ankle. Hleb certainly has a chance, Henry I will see."

Wenger conceded that his team lacks the consistency required for a title challenge but, with Bolton and Portsmouth mounting credible campaigns for Champions League qualification, the stakes for a top-four finish have also risen. "It looks like the other teams have broken into it," he said. "We need far more consistency to achieve it."