As I walked in I bought my fifth program this season, one for the 125 th Anniversary, one to mark RvP’s 100^th goal for Arsenal, and the other two to play spot the difference with the squad after the transfer deadline had passed. I suspect I was not the only one buying it because it marked Henry’s return. Just like the board I find it very hard to part with my money these days, but this was a “must have I was there” program.

I took my seat ten minutes late having missed nothing, Leeds were very defensive, and Arsenal were playing 4-5-0. The invisible man had his back to goal to make sure he didn’t score by mistake. The crowd kept behind the team, but did not sing the name of any of the understudies on the pitch. I began to lapse into reverie, surely this second eleven is even worse than last years. It’s not fair why couldn’t Chamakh go to the African Cup straight away and Gervinho stay a few more days?

Is van Persie on the bench I asked a neighbour in desperation, no he is in Dubai he replied. See Chamakh that’s the reward you get if you score goals. Arsenal were industrious but uninspired in front of goal, with a very weak defence, a better team might have scored, but Leeds are not a better team.

Fairy Tales do Come True

Increasingly the fans began to chant Thierry Henry, well aware that none of the players on the pitch would ever score. With 22 minutes to go the great man came on, the stadium became a mass of twinkling lights as Arsenal, and even Leeds, fans photographed the historic moment. He got a standing ovation with a thunderous roar for just coming on, at the same time as Theo, but no one seemed to notice that Theo had come on. My neighbour and me started a Theo chant but there were no takers.

Thierry had already won Man of the Match before he came on, every warm up run he performed was greeted with loud cheering, and increasingly the crowd chanted his name, not out of nostalgia but because he was the only player in the squad who could score, well apart from the one in Dubai.

Henry wasn’t able to tackle back, and most of the time he failed to get the ball, but he scores when he wants, and so on 78 minutes when Song found him in space he exquisitely passed the ball into the net. He did it with the technique, nonchalance, no panache, that’s it the panache of the Henry of old. Oh it was glorious, it carried me back to the days when Arsenal won trophies, when just seeing those red shirts run out on the field was enough to demoralise the opposition. But there was something different this time, history never just repeats itself.

Beard Power

The difference was beard power, Henry now has a beard, it makes his scowl look even more cross, and his thumping of his chest and roaring even more ferocious. Perhaps Chamakh could learn from him, get rid of that Mohawk and start growing a beard Marouane, it’s your only chance.

 Arshavin Takes One For The Team

Meanwhile the lesser mortals had to get on with defending the lead the great man had created. As Leeds looked to break away Arshavin decided to take one for the team, breaking up the attack with a gentle trip. It was a straight yellow, but it was worth it, don’t tell me he doesn’t care.

Don’t get carried away it was only Leeds

It was a great goal, a great moment, but up until then it had been tedious, it was only because we knew what was coming that the evening was tolerable. However, it’s unlikely that Manchester United, or even Swansea, will give him that much room.

Meanwhile in 10 years time Theo will be as good as Henry, but then Thierry will be 44.

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