New York Red Bulls 1-0 Arsenal: Wright-Phillips lifts Red Bulls past Arsenal

In what may well have been Thierry Henry’s final game against his former club, the legendary striker helped make the difference.

Arsenal fell to defeat against the New York Red Bulls in their second game of pre-season.

Bradley Wright-Phillips scored the only goal of the game netting from Thierry Henry's corner shortly after the half hour mark in the Big Apple.

Boss Arsene Wenger named a strong-looking starting line-up with Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Santi Cazorla all included.

But it was the Frenchman on the other side who was the star attraction, Henry catching the eye in pulling the strings against his former team.

And it was the 36-year-old who, after fluffing his lines earlier when clear, conjured the opening goal with a well-flighted corner which was nodded down by Ambrose Oyongo before Wright-Phillips stabbed home.

Wilshere, getting his first minutes under his belt since the World Cup, had two chances to level before the break but was denied by Luis Robles and Tim Cahill blocks.

Wenger made a raft of changes at the interval with Mathieu Flamini and Abou Diaby amongst seven interchanges.

And the oft-injured Frenchman had the ball in the net almost immediately, only to be denied by the linesman's flag.

Henry departed to a standing ovation after 50 minutes but the Gunners couldn't capitalise, half-time replacement Chuba Akpom going closest.

Wenger and Co. will continue their pre-season preparations against Benfica next weekend, where the hope is new £27m man Alexis Sanchez will get his first run-out in an Arsenal shirt.