Portsmouth 1 - 1 Arsenal

Portsmouth v Arsenal: Preview

Updated: April 11, 2006, 6:09 PM UK

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp believes Thierry Henry is the best player in the world and admits he does not know how his team will cope with the striker's genius.

Pompey face the Gunners at Fratton Park after the original fixture last month was called off because of a waterlogged pitch, which allowed Redknapp's side to continue their unbeaten run.

After 10 points from four matches Pompey have given themselves a chance of survival, although they will be underdogs against Arsenal, who Redknapp has an emotional attachment to after watching them as he grew up.

Redknapp said: "For me, Henry is the best player in the world - in a side in fantastic form. I think they have a real chance of winning the Champions League.

"If he plays like he's played here before they could murder us. Don't ask me what we'll do to stop him. How do you deal with a genius?

"But I've been studying the videos of their games and if you stand off them and don't get the tackle they will slaughter you.

"Some people were surprised they left out Henry at Manchester United on Sunday but he's played a lot of games and Arsene (Wenger) has usually picked his best side this season for the games he thinks he can win.

"And they certainly want that fourth Champions League place next season.''

Despite his links to West Ham, where he managed for seven years until his departure in 2001, Redknapp watched Arsenal growing up.

"I used to go to Arsenal every week. My dad used to take me,'' said Redknapp.

"We used to get on the North Bank about a quarter to one and there was a big manhole that stood you up about a foot higher than normal. Just right for a little lad like me.

"People think that because of where we lived in London's east end I was a West Ham fan, like most of the family.

"But my dad was a big Arsenal man and brought me up to support them. I still remember their players when I was a kid - Jack Kelsey, Dennis Evans, Derek Tapscott, Bill Dodgin, Len Wills, David Herd.

"Then there was Jimmy Bloomfield - a great player who later went to Leicester, Leyton Orient and West Ham - where I was a youngster at the time and actually played with him. He died too young, a fantastic man.

"When my dad died a couple of months ago, Arsenal sent a wreath to his funeral. I'll never forget that and could hardly believe that. I didn't tell anyone at Arsenal. Somebody must have picked up on it. Fantastic.''

Noe Pamarot and Salif Diao have hamstring injuries but Redknapp does not have any other injury concerns.

Meanwhile, Sol Campbell is set to make his first Arsenal appearance in two-and-a-half months - with manager Wenger predicting the England centre-back still has a big part to play for club and country this season.

The 31-year-old has not featured for the Gunners since his half-time departure in the home defeat by West Ham - when the normally reliable defender was substituted after the last in a series of sub-standard displays.

Injury problems, the latest of which was a bruised toe, have since prevented Campbell making a comeback after the player was granted an extended leave of absence by Wenger.

Campbell was not included in the squad for the trip to Manchester United on Sunday, Wenger keen for the defender to get more training under his belt rather than just travel and "sit on the bench''.

Now, however, the Arsenal boss feels the experienced England man is more than ready to make his long-awaited return - and he will start at the heart of the Arsenal back-line in place of Philippe Senderos, rested as the squad embark on a hectic run-in.

The Arsenal manager said: "Sol will start because I will rest Senderos, who finished tired against Manchester United - so it gives him a good opportunity to show that he is ready for us and as well for you [England].

"We have eight games now on the trot - game after game - and I will have to rotate in every game now without destroying the balance of the team and the belief of the team.''

Wenger hopes he has found the ideal opportunity for Campbell to return.

"It is a good way for Sol to come back,'' he said.

"I play him because I feel he is ready for us; but on the other hand, indirectly, he knows he needs to play before the World Cup if he wants to be selected.''