Arsenal 'do not depend on Henry'

Chelsea 1-1 Arsenal
Stamford Bridge
Sunday, December 10, 2006 , 4pm


Henry will be sidelined until the new year as he recovers from a sciatic nerve problem but Hill-Wood insists there is no panic at Ashburton Grove.


"Thierry has not played all that much this season and the boys have proved that they can play whether he is with them or not," he told the club website.

"You miss a player of Thierry Henry's talent but the others have done well."

Arsenal trail Premiership leaders Manchester United by 18 points.

Hill-Wood added: "We've had one or two disappointing results this season when we have drawn but we should have won. That would have put us up the table.

"However, they are a very young side and I am delighted at the way we have played our football, which has been hugely entertaining."

The Gunners were boosted by the 1-1 draw at Chelsea on Sunday but keeper Jens Lehmann was left seething about the behaviour of Blues midfielder Frank Lampard.

Lehmann clashed with Didier Drogba during the game but said he respected the Ivory Coast striker.

"I like Drogba. I think the handshake between us says it all," said the 37-year-old German international.

"You can have passion in the game but, as long as you get on with people nicely, it's OK.

"He didn't insult me in comparison to his team-mates and I can't complain with him.

"Some of his team-mates insulted me terribly but Drogba never does that so I have no problem with him.

"Lampard is a specialist in insulting people very badly but Drogba is a nice guy - he doesn't insult people."

[ Source : news.bbc.co.uk ]