5 Most Amazing Thierry Henry's games

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Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry hung up his boots after 20 years of razzle dazzle that saw him wow football fans across the world.

But what were the games the defined him as an Arsenal and France legend?

The following extracts are taken from “Thierry Henry: Fifty Defining Fixtures”. Each of the fifty games chosen for the book in some way played a decisive role in shaping Henry’s career.

AS Monaco 6 RC Lens 0: Ligue 1-28 April 1995

Despite failing to make an impact in his early turnouts on the left wing for Monaco, Henry caught the eye in September scoring a brace for the French Juniors against England. After the game, France’s National Technical Director Gérard Houllier (and later manager of Liverpool) spoke about him in glowing terms:

“He has the capacity to beat defenders. He’s very good with the ball at his feet. He’s also got great potential in terms of power, which he can use to go past opponents. He’s a striker for the future. When he has got his finishing right, he’ll be very close to the top level.”

Italy 0 France 0 (France won on penalties) World Cup Quarter-Finals-3 July 1998

With the shoot-out tied at 2-2, Henry ambled from the half-way line to the penalty spot looking focussed but relaxed, considering the colossal weight on his shoulders. His heart was doubtless racing at a million miles per hour and yet at no point did he appear visibly fazed. He placed the ball on the spot, took several paces back and began his run-up. Reaching the ball, he sidefooted it powerfully to the goalkeeper’s left, evading his flailing hands and finding the net. Henry had held his nerve. Henry’s contribution to the victory amounted to less than 55 minutes, but more than any other game of the tournament it represented the often paper thin line between success and failure

 Southampton 0 Arsenal 1: Premier League-18 September 1999

With eleven minutes left on the clock, Adams played a ball into Henry’s feet on the edge of the penalty area. With his back to goal, he held off a defender before nudging the ball to his left. For a moment it appeared that he had pushed it too far, but in one fluid movement he stretched and unleashed a whipped shot that flew past the goalkeeper’s outstretched hand and into the net. The ball was hit with enough force to knock Henry off balance, but he was soon back on his feet, making his way to the celebrating Arsenal fans by the corner flag with his teammates in hot pursuit. On arrival, Henry placed a nonchalant hand on the flag and made a mock military salute before blowing a kiss to the jubilant supporters. It was a trademark celebration that he and teammate David Trezeguet had adopted at Monaco in honour of Argentine striker Gabriel Batistuta

Arsenal 3 Tottenham Hotspur 0: Premier League-16 November 2002

Spurs were struggling to hold on, and when the goal did eventually arrive in the 13 minute, it was not so much the consequence of Arsenal’s pressure as a display of individual brilliance. He held off Etherington and as he approached the edge of the Tottenham box jinked past Carr and King before driving the ball low into the corner.

Henry celebrated by running back the entire length of the pitch and sliding to his knees just metres in front of the Tottenham fans, his fists clenched by his side and a snarled expression on his face in what would become an iconic image.

France 1 Republic of Ireland 1: (France won 2-1 on aggregate)

World Cup Qualifying Play-Off 2nd Leg: 18 November 2009 With 13 minutes of extra-time gone, a free-kick from inside the French half was lofted into the Ireland penalty area. It broke to Henry who controlled the ball and flicked it across the face of goal for Gallas to head into the net from point-blank range. Gallas wheeled away in celebration and Henry quickly followed. But back in the penalty area, the Ireland players were furious and chased after the referee. Television replays soon confirmed the cause of their protestations. Henry had clearly – and seemingly deliberately – handed the ball twice to bring it under control before passing for Gallas to score