The Return Of The King [Redux]

Dumping Carragher on his ass. Thierry Henry.

As 2011 came to a close there were more than whispers that Thierry Henry would return to the club on loan, in a period when Arsenal definitely needed freshening up. Just how much impact he might have was a source of great speculation, with factions both for and against the move. To pay homage to his second spell at the club I wanted to select a trademark moment from our French master, perhaps optimistically wishing for a revival of Henry’s vintage form.

Which to choose from so many? The volley versus United? The Charlton backheel? The 227^th goal [even if the 226^th was way nicer, and by the way how fitting that he would tie Ian Wright’s record then surpass it in the very same match?], the full length pitch run versus Tottenham? I decided on this goal, that played such a crucial role in Arsenal’s crowning achievement.

The Gunners entered April in 2004 faced with a daunting week of fixtures that could potentially signal unprecedented glory for the club. We were still unbeaten in the league and  faced two semi-final matches in the space of three days, with a crunch league clash against Liverpool another three days later. The last minute draw with United at the end of March left the Arsenal 7 points clear of second-placed Chelsea, the opponent on April 6^th in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final which was gut-wrenchingly lost to a last gasp Wayne Bridge winner.

Three days prior we played the FA Cup semi against United at Aston Villa, our second match against the reigning League Champions in the space of five days. A rotated side was unable to overcome an early Scholes effort and we lost for the first time in 19 FA Cup contests. A team that previously looked invincible was rattled.

A notably shaken Arsenal hosted Liverpool the following weekend, and by half-time were trailing 2-1 with commentators and Gooners wondering out-loud if the unbeaten run had come to an end. Perhaps stung by the week’s losses, maybe even more so by his exclusion from the starting XI against United and the failure to turn around the result after coming on late, Henry emerged from the dressing room with the bit well and truly between his teeth.

Having equalized Sami Hyypia’s opening goal, Henry was involved in the set-up for Pires to level for a second time, only minutes after the second half began. Seconds later, our talisman picked up the ball just outside the center circle and burst through the Liverpool midfield, bearing down on a backpedaling rearguard. He showed inside then swiveled his hips in typical fashion, flooring the hapless Jamie Carragher and parting the scouse defense to finish with consummate ease.

The comeback was complete and with it the relief that our unbeaten run remained intact. The resilience that had taken us this deep into the season without losing a single match was back, and as Thierry himself recalled, the response inside Highbury was the loudest he had ever heard. The place was literally rocking  as Henry galloped away scowling triumphantly.

He would complete his hat-trick with a dozen minutes left, and our seven point lead over Chelsea in the title race was restored. It is difficult to pin our Invincible season on any single moment, but if pressed Henry’s second goal in this match would take some contesting.

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