UNITED KINGDOM: SOCCER / FOOTBALL - Press conference by PSV Eindhoven as team prepare to meet Arsenal in the second leg of their Champion League match at the Emirates Stadium

Koeman told reporters at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday (March 6) that Afellay was fit and available for selection. The 19-year-old midfielder trained alongside his team-mates minutes later, despite telling a Dutch television reporter on Monday (March 5) that he was not 100 per cent fit. Koeman told reporters: "I only heard yesterday that he said he was not 100 per cent so I will ask him later because if you're not 100 per cent fit you won't play." He added: "We know that after the last game on Saturday he had a few complaints but on Monday he did train with us so I will speak to him later about it." The manager acknowledged that the possible inclusion of Arsenal forward Thierry Henry, who has been suffering from injury, would be a massive boost for his English hosts because his presence inspires his team-mates to perform better. Koeman said he felt confident of reaching the quarter finals having beaten Arsenal 1-0 at home, avoiding the conceding of an all-important away goal. He said that an early PSV goal in the second leg would make it difficult for Arsenal to win, as they would need three goals to go through. He said: "I believe that if we score tomorrow that it's not impossible, but it will be very difficult for them, not impossible, difficult, but Arsenal is a team that is able to play good football, creative football and create their chances from that. It's also very possible that they will score three times because the team has that kind of quality." French forward Henry had been considered unlikely to play due to lingering back and foot injuries, but he joined in a full practice game on Tuesday morning. PSV midfielder Timmy Simons said Henry would be a danger, even if he wasn't fully fit. He told reporters: "He's not 100 per cent fit, that's what I've read, that's what I've understood, but even if he's not 100 per cent I think Henry as a player can make a difference. He is a world class player." Arsenal trail PSV 1-0 following Ecuadorian midfielder Edison Mendez's low drive in the opening leg in Eindhoven two weeks ago. That win was PSV's first in five attempts against the London club. Henry, scorer of 10 goals in 17 Premier League appearances this season, has scored 42 goals in 84 Champions League games. Arsenal are unbeaten in 14 Champions League home games since losing to Chelsea in a quarter-final second leg three years ago. They have not lost any of their 21 competitive games at their new Emirates Stadium this season, but have had to fight back after falling behind 11 times.

ITN Source | March 7, 2007

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