It has been over 22 years since the Highbury grass was adorned with a fresh Thierry Henry, who proudly raised his shirt number 14 and wore a smile as wide as Clock End.
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The Frenchman enjoyed eight trophy-laden years at Arsenal (plus a seven-matcher came in 2012 while on loan from the New York Red Bulls), and the legacy he left behind is still as lovingly remembered by Gunners fans as it was the day he left for Barcelona.
Henry signed for Arsenal over 22 years ago / SINEAD LYNCH / Getty Images
Henry arrived at Arsenal from Juventus just a year after being crowned World Cup winner in France’s home tournament.
After spending most of his exciting career as a left winger, the 21-year-old was placed as a striker by Arsène Wenger, a man who knew all about the incredible talent of young people who worked together in Monaco.
12 games in Henry’s Gunners’ career and questions have already begun to be asked by Highbury loyalists, with the former Juve man only hacking once in his initial Premier League outings.
But 16 goals in his next 19 league games laid the groundwork for a famous spell in north London, where Henry continued to be the club’s leading scorer of all time after his 226 goals in 369 games exceeded the record set by Ian Wright.
Make it look easy since ’99? @ThierryHenry | # TH14? pic.twitter.com/7R0TJcsiJS
– Arsenal (@Arsenal) 3 August 2020
Undoubtedly the best moment of the Frenchman’s time in England came during his fifth season at Arsenal, as the club were crowned “Invincibles” after going unbeaten in the entire 38-match league season.
While sluggish Arsenal fans will regularly recall the 2003/04 side – with Patrick Vieira’s drive, Sol Campbell’s steel and Robert Pire’s wing trolling high on the list of things to rush into the pub – the club’s undisputed splendor Spearhead will forever be at the top on the agenda.
From time to time, a team is characterized by outstanding brilliance, and those who have the task of following in the footsteps of brilliance are constantly weighed down by the expectation of reaching similar heights (take for example which Newcastle striker wears jersey number nine for example).
Henry’s departure from Arsenal weighed on a number of strikers who were tasked with carrying the burden of becoming Gunners’ captain, with a whole host on the way.
The Frenchman became the club’s leading goal scorer through the ages in his time in north London / ODD ANDERSEN / Getty Images
The Frenchman’s signature finish of opening up the body and easily curling the ball out of the goalkeeper’s reach and into the bottom corner will forever be synonymous with his time in the capital.
Such was the legacy of the front man. A poll on Arsenal’s official club website in 2008 showed Henry as their best player ever and beat Dennis Bergkamp and Tony Adams to the top spot.
The rogue status that has been imposed on the likes of Robin van Persie and Cesc Fàbregas since their Arsenal departures is further proof of the impact Henry had on the Gunners’ faithful.
There was no bad feeling towards the Frenchman – a feeling that even Wenger did not get from certain parts of their fan base – and he was welcomed back with open arms in January 2012 during the MLS low season, before he again got a hero’s farewell.
The statue outside the Emirates Stadium will forever be a constant reminder of how influential Henry’s time at the club was. However, no Gunners fan needs to recall the Frenchman’s time on these beaches.
He is Arsenal’s greatest player ever and without a doubt the Premier League’s best player ever.
