Thierry Henry aonyesha ushujaa katika mchezo wake wa kwanza baada ya kurejea Arsenal katika mechi zake saba anazotarajiwa kucheza, ambapo leo kafanikiwa kuifunga timu ya Leeds katika Kombe la FA raundi ya tatu kwenye Uwanja wa Emirates 1-0
Thierry Henry made the perfect return to Arsenal
when he emerged as a substitute to score a late winner in the FA Cup
third-round tie against Leeds United.
Henry, back in Arsenal colours for the first time since he
left for Barcelona in 2007, scored his 227th goal for the club with 12
minutes remaining amid emotional scenes at the Emirates.
The 34-year-old - back at the club where he was recently
honoured with a statue on a two-month loan from New York Red Bulls - had
only been on 10 minutes when the magical moment arrived.
Henry took a pass from Alex Song in his stride in the area
before steering a composed, angled, right-footed finished tantalisingly
out of the reach of Leeds United keeper Andy Lonergan.
It finally broke the stubborn resistance of Leeds and was the
signal for an outpouring of emotion as Henry pumped his chest in
celebration after racing to hug his mentor Arsene Wenger on the
touchline.
Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny raced the length of the
field to join the celebrations while Henry later indulged in a spot of
impromptu cheerleading as he urged the supporters who worship him to
even greater backing for Arsenal in the closing stages.
It was the perfectly scripted finale to a contest that needed
Henry's Midas touch against a Leeds side who battled in a manner that
did manager Simon Grayson and their magnificent travelling support great
credit.
At the final whistle, with the first task of his temporary
return to the club completed, Henry raised his arms to the heavens
before falling into the arms of his Arsenal colleagues and taking the
acclaim of an elated crowd.
Henry's presence, even on the bench, enlivened the stadium
when he came out to warm up and later when his name was announced to
rapturous applause.
And the 45 minutes that followed only increased the appetite
and anticipation for his return as Arsenal dominated but failed to
breach a resilient and well-organised Leeds defence.
With leading scorer and captain Robin van Persie rested,
attacking duties fell to Andrey Arshavin and Marouane Chamakh, the pair
combining in the opening moments only for the Russian to fire wildly
over the top.
Sebastien Squillaci then headed narrowly wide and Aaron
Ramsey was unable to navigate a way around Lonergan after he was played
into the area by Arshavin.
Leeds United's big chance, in a half they spent mainly on the
retreat, came when Luciano Becchio found space in the box but shot
wastefully off target.
Arsenal's defensive resources have thinned out in the face of
mounting injuries - and they were depleted further before the interval
when Francis Coquelin pulled up with a hamstring problem and was
replaced by Nico Yennaris.
The momentum remained with Arsenal after the break as
Lonergan saved well low to his left from Mikel Arteta after the Spaniard
was set up by Chamakh, and Arshavin fired across the face of goal after
picking up Zac Thompson's misplaced pass.
Henry's increasingly energetic sprinting along the touchline
drew a loud reaction from Arsenal's fans and he was finally introduced
with 22 minutes left, replacing Chamakh. Theo Walcott also came on for
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Henry was given a hero's welcome as he set about the business
of attempting to break down a Leeds side proving as stubborn as they
had been here at the same stage of the FA Cup last season.
And the moment Arsenal had been waiting for came with 12
minutes left as Henry gathered Song's pass in his stride before sparking
scenes of ecstasy on and off the pitch with a perfect finish.
Leeds refused to be distracted by the euphoria and almost
snatched a replay in the closing stages as Szczesny saved well from
substitute Mikael Forssell.
This, however, was Henry's night and Henry's story. Now
Arsenal fans will hope he can write fresh chapters before returning to
the United States.
Mashabiki wa Manchester United katika kusherehekea ushindi wakati wa kufuta majeraha ya kufungwa na Manchester City. Picha: PA
Mchezaji Scholes aliyeingia dakika za kipindi cha pili, alitajwa kwenye benchi kwa ajili ya mchezo dhidi ya City.
SUNDAY'S FA CUP REPORTS
Taarifa za Kombe la FA siku ya jumapili
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