Henry leaves on a high, no matter what

As Thierry Henry put the icing on the cake to Arsenal’s 7-1 desolation of Blackburn with the final goal on Saturday, a sense of relief was felt all around the Emirates. A feeling that the goal will help to paper over the cracks of the deficiencies in Arsene Wenger's flagship January signing.

After his (second) debut heroics against Leeds last month started things off for the Frenchman so perfectly, that fully-charged momentum hasn’t exactly kept up the same pace since. 

Mark Lawrenson’s prediction that he would struggle to score again in his two month spell seemed to be bearing some sort of fruit after the fairly ineffectual performances against the likes of Swansea and Bolton. 

While his footballing brain, which could teach Theo Walcott a thing or two, still works as well as it ever did, it is safe to say his pace, fitness and, at times, his first touch are not quite what they used to be. 

After five minutes of being on the pitch the heavy puffing begins and his arms form a position on his hips that Tony Adams in his prime would have been proud of.

With Gervinho and Marouane Chamakh leaving for the African Cup of Nations last month, Andrey Arshavin’s lack of form and complete disinterest, and Arsene Wenger’s total lack of mistrust for Chu Young Park, Henry was the man brought in to help ease the load. It seemed like the perfect answer. In hindsight maybe it was a touch of the head up in the clouds syndrome. 

If Henry has not been the exact remedy needed then thank God for the emergence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, as his introduction at just the right time has meant it has not really mattered. He looks an immense talent and with his rise to prominence, Wenger can now keep Henry safe on the bench ready for the odd cameo.

His goal on Saturday may have looked a little different had it fallen to the Henry of old - the space he found himself in would have been utilised to perfection by his pace. 

However Saturday’s goal was the Henry of new, a nice bit of link-up play whilst still having the huge slice of luck from a big deflection to drop into the back of the net. 

But it doesn’t matter anyhow as he is Thierry Henry. His goal against Leeds will forever stay in Arsenal hearts and for many that alone has justified the move. He can do no wrong and Arsenal fans love him all the same whatever he does. 

228 and counting...