Henry will be sidelined until 2007

The striker has recovered from a neck problem but now has a hamstring injury.

"He has started his rehab," said Wenger, who will be without Henry for at least five Premiership matches and the Carling Cup tie against Liverpool.

"He's still not completely free with his hamstring but he's started to work. The neck problem is sorted, but the hamstring is the most troubling."

Asked if Henry would be out until the new year, Wenger said: "Realistically, certainly yes.

"I wouldn't set a precise timescale as it's difficult to predict but Christmas certainly we will miss him."

However, chairman Peter Hill-Wood has insisted the Gunners do not rely too heavily on Henry.

"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.