Dassakorn's team BEC Tero Sasana trained at Arsenal's grounds in London two weeks ago to gain experience and prepare for the Queen's Cup Tournament and the AFC Champions League.

The team returned home yesterday with reports that Arsenal's star players were impressed by Dassakorn's performance. Whether Dassakorn takes the test depends on Arsenal, but BEC Tero Sasana team owner Brian Macar says he will support his player.

"It depends on team manager Arsene Wenger. However, I will push him to take part in the club's reserve test and also support him to be the first Thai playing in the English Premier League," said Macar. He added that staff from Arsenal would travel to watch the team play every three months, which will be a stepping stone for his team's development.

Henry to miss game

nArsenal believe they have gained greater respect in Europe since reaching last season's European Champions League final. The Gunners want to prove they still deserve it.

Arsenal lost the final 2-1 to Barcelona on May 18 - playing with 10 men from the 18th minute after the ejection of goalkeeper Jens Lehmann.

"We want to show that getting to the final was no accident, that we can come back and win it," Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. "There was such a small difference between winning it and losing it, because we really went close."

Arsenal travel to Germany for their opening group tonight against SV Hamburg after their worst ever start to the Premier League. The winless Gunners are 17th after two draws and a defeat.

"Jens has touched the ball more with his feet than his hands, but that's football," striker Thierry Henry said. "We're not killing the teams we're playing against, and they're taking advantage of that."

Henry will miss the game after suffering a minor foot injury in yesterday's training.

But Theo Walcott returns to the squad after being rested at the weekend.