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''We're not a one man band' insists Wenger
Gunners chief says youngsters can do well without Henry
ARSENE Wenger has insisted Arsenal are not a one man team - and do not revolve around captain Thierry Henry.
He is facing up to life without the club's highest-ever goal scorer after Henry was told he must take a break from the game to heal a neck injury.
The Gunners chief is hoping the rest of the squad, including 17-year-old Theo Walcott, will make up for the loss in quality and experience.
He is hoping to awaken the same team spirit that saw Arsenal beat Manchester United at Old Trafford without Henry earlier in the season. The Gunners also defeated Spurs on Saturday without the inspirational striker.
Wenger said: "We don't just have one player. We have 20 players and I am convinced that they will do well. They have a good spirit in the team."
Arsenal now have one of the youngest teams in the Premiership with midfielder Gilberto suddenly the old hand.
Wenger said: "Gilberto is the quiet type but a strong leader. In fact he is much stronger than people imagine. He stands up when the pressure is on."
He added: "I believe in the players. In Robin Van Persie, (Emmanuel) Adebayor and Theo Walcott we have players who will score. My squad is big enough. I can make it bigger by playing the young boys and I am confident they can deliver for us when we need them."
Arsenal will travel to Chelsea with a severely weakened team. Already missing Henry, defender Kolo Toure - one of Arsenal's most reliable players over the past three seasons - is suspended and William Gallas is facing a fitness battle.
Walcott could be thrown into action. While the Gunners have slipped up against teams they would have expected to beat like West Ham and Fulham, they have won against the top teams such as Man United and Liverpool.
Wenger said: "I'm not sure Theo is quite ready for the physical demands of playing in the role Thierry occupies but he will be given what is a great opportunity. We have so many games coming up and we are going to need him.
"I knew Thierry at 17 and while I would not say Theo is better because I could see then that Thierry was a huge talent, Theo is more comfortable in the company of senior players."
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