The match had impeccable manners. This FA Cup tie did little to distract a crowd from its thoughts of Thierry Henry while he was still on the bench. The long stalemate was just scene-setting. The forward decided this FA Cup tie after a five-year absence from Arsenal and sent the side on to a meeting with Aston Villa in the fourth round.
It was a goal perfectly reminiscent of his great days with the club. Alex Song slipped the ball through in the 78th minute and Henry, on loan from New York Red Bulls, came in from the left to slant a right-footed shot across the Leeds United goalkeeper, Andy Lonergan. The movement and finish were so typical of the scorer that the episode would have been a cliché had it not felt so exhilarating.
There are plenty of cautionary words to be uttered since Leeds are only eighth in the Championship but no one else in Arsenal's ranks had come up with the technique and poise to settle the outcome. The impact of a 34-year-old Henry cannot be taken for granted in, say, the Premier League but adrenaline flooded through this club after Arsène Wenger released him from the bench in the 68th minute.
Henry, too, will be elated after notching a 227th goal for Arsenal. Circumstances will not always be as suitable as they were here, with an admirable Leeds starting to toil after being so composed and efficient for much of the occasion. This evening, however, was a fillip for a club currently outside the top four in the Premier League and keen to ready themselves for the resumption of the Champions League.
It could be that Henry's influence will be short-lived but his presence galvanised Arsenal here. Stern judges could think it an indictment of Wenger that he had to dip into the club's past but the immediate benefit was well worth having, no matter how the forward fares in the weeks to come. The spectators had more to discuss than, for instance, their usual disappointment with, say, Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh.
This match also had a ring to it even before Henry took the field. While the true aspirations of Leeds are for an eventual re-emergence in the Premier League, the FA Cup came as a break from all that earnestness. Here was an occasion that would excite a team that also understood there was scant risk of recriminations or disgrace.
Arsenal had trouble making a breakthrough, since the visitors were obdurate in their 4-1-4-1 system. Wenger's players attacked but early in the night there was little precision in front of goal. Chamakh was in action prior to joining Morocco at the Africa Cup of Nations but did not make his presence felt when collecting Aaron Ramsey's pass and sending his finish soaring over the bar in the second minute.
Though the Arsenal centre-half Sébastien Squillaci had been wasteful when heading off target from a Mikel Arteta free-kick in the second minute, Simon Grayson's team were generally composed. Their opponents had to cope with exasperation and an injured Francis Coquelin had to make way for Nico Yennaris after half an hour.
It would still have been a distortion to pretend that frustration had seeped into the Emirates, though there may have been a little wistfulness about one absentee. Robin van Persie was excused the game so that he could enjoy a family holiday in Dubai, even though the club often appears dependent on the Dutchman for goals. His name would have begun to be more prominent still in the thoughts of the Arsenal fans when there was a protracted deadlock.
There ought also to have been regard for the opposition among those in a sportsmanlike mood. Leeds were composed and there was also a wish to go on the attack, despite the fact that they had not inconvenienced the Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny at that juncture. A bid for promotion can be a treacherous task but Leeds, by the interval, would often have had the impression that, if Arsenal were any guide, the Premier League might not be so intimidating after all.
It was not for sentimental reasons that chants for Henry broke out in the opening moments of the second half. The Arsenal winger Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain did show urgency when cutting in from the right before shooting off-target in the 47th minute. Even so, it would have been unjust to write off this fixture as a non-event.
Whatever else happens, this scene, before a crowd of 59,615, should motivate Leeds all the more to persevere in the quest for Premier League status. The focus here was largely on containing the hosts.
That was being done only with difficulty as the second half developed. When Chamakh laid the ball off to Arteta in the 54th minute, the drive was saved by Lonergan. With the win achieved, there is a danger that Arsenal will forget just how they toiled. The night belonged to Henry but, if his team is to prosper, others will have to strive for the standards he has set.
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9 January 2012 9:50PM
He's still got it!
9 January 2012 9:50PM
God I love him. I love him more than anyone could imagine.
THIERRY HENRY!
9 January 2012 9:51PM
What a legend.
9 January 2012 9:51PM
I wish I could be as brilliant coming up with a first post comment as Henry was with scoring his first goal back with Arsenal.
9 January 2012 9:52PM
Childish giggle of the season- Martin Keown being pinged on the side of the head with a football from one of the Leeds players, probably the best thing to have ever happened on ESPN's match coverage
9 January 2012 9:53PM
When you need a goal, you need Thierry Henry.
9 January 2012 9:53PM
Mmmm, definitely tarnished that legend tonight.
9 January 2012 9:53PM
I would officially turn gay if Thierry wanted me to. I love that man.
9 January 2012 9:54PM
You did just fine. Don't try to match up to Thierry. It can't be done.
9 January 2012 9:54PM
Incredible
9 January 2012 9:54PM
What a player, his interview at the end was pure class. Big shout out to Chamberlain and Ramsey. As for Chamakh my god......
9 January 2012 9:55PM
Amazing. Scholes, Henry... who's next?!
9 January 2012 9:55PM
Boss
9 January 2012 9:55PM
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9 January 2012 9:56PM
Alex Song was far and away Arsenal's best player tonight.
Arshavin good god.
9 January 2012 9:56PM
Wow. What a man. Salute
9 January 2012 9:56PM
Can't remember celebrating a non-Liverpool goal as much as that one. I just can't help but love Henry, and that was a terrific moment.
9 January 2012 9:56PM
How long until City offer us £20m for him?
9 January 2012 9:56PM
I would like to apologise to the entire street where i live, my reaction to Henry scoring can only be described as Kong-esque!
Heartbroken that he left, made up to see him in the Arsenal shirt again, and to score..damn..hollywood wouldv'e considered that too much!
Unfit, unshaven and moody as ever, its a delight to have him back. When Ramsey misplaced his shot instead of passing, Henry's reaction reminded me of why we have not won anything in a long time. We simply have accepted mediocrity for too long.
I for one salute the man. Feels good to be a gooner tonight..
9 January 2012 9:57PM
How much do you think City will offer us for him?
9 January 2012 9:57PM
Spine tingling stuff that, really is stuff of legend!
9 January 2012 9:57PM
you can doubt the government, you can doubt your girlfriend, you can doubt Wenger...
but without a doubt henry is the most elegant player to ever grace the PL. The first player that wore his tight football socks above his kneecaps too. va va voom
9 January 2012 9:57PM
What a return for the Arsenal legend. He's making sure that statue looks fitting at Arsenal's stadium.
The the movement, the first touch, the opening up of the body and the finish were all typical Henry. He's still got that va va voom!
9 January 2012 9:57PM
the old man showed Chamakh how it's done. May have lost his speed but the finishing's still sweet as ever.
9 January 2012 9:57PM
One thing we learned from tonight's game.
We're going to need a bigger statue...
9 January 2012 9:57PM
Alex Song, once again a brick wall, and once again providing a great assist for another game winning goal.
Also: Thierry Henry, one man club, crisis, etc...
9 January 2012 9:58PM
I think the Ashburton fans and Arsenal's season (more relevantly) just climaxed.
Value-added box office stuff; you gotta give it to Arsenal PLC.
Lovely finish; the kind of class I guess one doesn't lose. And good to see he's still a world-class pointer. Didn't someone round here say his ego's diminished?
The concept of MOTM just took another beating, however.
I hope Henry can help Arshavin and not stiffle him even further. Or perhaps I'm clueless to even hold out hope for the guy...
Good to see Ramsey looking improved.
9 January 2012 9:58PM
aaron ramsey, motm that is all.
9 January 2012 9:58PM
For once it really did need Andy Gray...
Take a bow, son.
9 January 2012 9:59PM
Darren Anderton?
9 January 2012 9:59PM
Henry.... Scholes.....
if only Cantona would come back too!!!!!
9 January 2012 9:59PM
I have to say that I am one of sceptics when it comes to Henry's return... in fact I still am, but you have to hand it to the man. tonight was his night and he has undoubtedly added to his legend. Great night for Henry and Arsenal.
I am still worried about the psychology of Henry coming back and becoming the man once more in what is Robin's team. It could all go so horribly wrong. Or it might well be as great as tonight. For now it looks a risk well worth taking and i'd love nothing more than to be prove wholly and utterly wrong to doubt Henry coming back.
Great night... great night.
9 January 2012 10:00PM
There is a reason why we call him King at Arsenal...:D
9 January 2012 10:00PM
Non-Arsenal fan just popping in to say that was a heart-warming moment there. I'm about 2 miles from the Emirates and I think I can actually feel the warm glow of good will from here.
9 January 2012 10:00PM
The goal was typical Henry.
Credit to Leeds, defended resolutely I thought.
9 January 2012 10:00PM
Va VA Voom
9 January 2012 10:00PM
Henry is back! and he scores! goosebumps...
9 January 2012 10:00PM
All Hail the King !
9 January 2012 10:01PM
Seeing that name on the scoresheet just makes any gooner feel happy. I think only the return of Bergkamp or Wrighty for me would've come anywhere near to the same feelng, and even then..
Class..Salute!
9 January 2012 10:01PM
That was classic Henry in fairness. The refusal to look at the teammates in the eye, the shrugging away of their hands as they tried to join in during his moment, the hands to the sky at the final whistle - egotistical celebration #227 may well have been the best!
In all seriousness though, great goal - good to have him back & looking sharp for 2 months at least.
9 January 2012 10:01PM
Running for French presidency apparently.
Anything Henry and Scholes can do...
9 January 2012 10:01PM
can u plz plz plz do it against united and spurs
9 January 2012 10:01PM
As the cliché goes form is temporary but class is permanent.
Thierry took his goal brilliantly. It was a chance Chamakh, Arshavin or Gervinho who never have buried. It was vintage Arsenal.
Thierry's loan deal has already paid off for me. The F.A cup is the only trophy we can still win. Even after Arsene's comments yesterday you know he's taking the cup very seriously looking at the lineup tonight.
Aaron was very good so was Arteta. The defence was untroubled.
9 January 2012 10:02PM
I'm Irish and that goal even put a smile on my face, nothing like an Henry finish, calm and composed curled beautifully into the corner, trademark Henry really.
9 January 2012 10:02PM
Trademark Henry finish. Open body, side foot, far post... immaculate, sublime call it whatever.. just how many times have we seen him do that. Even the keeper probably knew that's what he'll do. Still couldn't make a save.. cos he's Theirry Henry, Theirry Henry, Theirry Henry, Theirry Henry..............
Welcome back Thierry. We love you
9 January 2012 10:02PM
anyone see any shot of RVP when henry scored? curious for his reaction, if anything grumbly-like
9 January 2012 10:03PM
Can't say I gave a flying f**k about the game but that was genuinely a fantastic moment.
9 January 2012 10:03PM
Fan-Boy Firmament.
9 January 2012 10:03PM
Legend. Makes Arsenal likeable.
9 January 2012 10:03PM
i just read that RVP wasnt even at the match today (off in dubai for family), so my earlier question (being pre-modded) is dumb...