Arsenal trio up for UEFA awards

Arsenal stars Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Eboue and Jens Lehmann have all received nominations for the UEFA club football awards.

Arsenal stars Thierry Henry, Emmanuel Eboue and Jens Lehmann have all received nominations for the UEFA club football awards.

The Emirates Stadium trio have each been nominated for awards in their respective positions and are also automatically shortlisted for title of UEFA club footballer of the year 2006.

Jens Lehmann faces competition from Juventus stopper Gianluigi Buffon and Lyon's Gregory Coupet for the goalkeeping honours, whilst Eboue is shortlisted alongside Juve's Fabio Cannavaro and Barcelona's Carles Puyol in the defender of the year category.

Henry meanwhile faces stiff competition in the forward of the year group, in the form of Barcelona's Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto'o.

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Nominees for club midfielder are Juan Roman Riquelme of Villarreal, Juninho of Lyon and Barcelona's Deco.

A new voting procedure gives the coaches of all 16 teams that reached the knockout stage of last year's competition the chance to cast their verdicts, alongside members of the UEFA technical study Group.

The title of club footballer of the year is decided upon solely by the 16 coaches.

The awards are to be presented during the draw for the UEFA Champions League group stage, on 24 August in Monaco.

The most valuable player of the UEFA Cup 2005-06 award will be presented the following day during the draw for the UEFA Cup.

Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka is shortlisted alongside Sevilla trio Daniel Alves, Enzo Maresca and Javier Saviola.