Arsenal

Thierry Henry's top five Arsenal goals

By Liam Apicella, Features Editor | 18 October 2014

Thierry Henry scored 228 goals for Arsenal. Here, Sports Mole picks out five of his most memorable strikes for the Gunners.

Today marks nine years to the day that Thierry Henry became Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer.

When the Frenchman departed for Barcelona in 2007, he did so having scored 226 goals for the Gunners - a total that was extended by a further two following a brief loan return to the Emirates Stadium in 2012.

Here, Sports Mole has picked out five of the most memorable goals that Henry scored during his time in England.

5. vs. Charlton Athletic (2004)
Of all of Henry's 228 goals in Arsenal colours, this one was truly unique. When the Frenchman collected Jose Antonio Reyes's cross inside the area, he had his back to goal, with Charlton defender Jonathan Fortune marking him tightly. It seemed that Fortune had the Arsenal frontman in a position of little danger, but Henry audaciously back-heeled the ball through his marker's legs and into the bottom corner of the net.

4. vs. Blackburn Rovers (2007)
When Henry advanced down the left flank at Ewood Park, he only had Cesc Fabregas for support. However, up against five Blackburn defenders, he picked out the Spaniard, who returned the favour almost instantly. Then, from the edge of the area, Henry curled a right-footed effort that started outside of Brad Friedel's far post, but bent inside at the final moment.

3. vs. Liverpool (2004)
This is the goal that will no doubt still give Jamie Carragher nightmares. Henry had already skipped away from Dietmar Hamann when he approached Carragher on the edge of the Liverpool area. As the Arsenal striker dropped his shoulder, Carragher did his best Bambi on ice impression as he completely lost his balance, which allowed Henry a run on goal. After that, he showed good composure to beat Jerzy Dudek.

2. vs. Tottenham Hotspur (2002)
Arsenal under Arsene Wenger's management in the late 1990s and early 2000s were famed for their devastating counter-attacks, which usually involved a number of players. On this occasion, though, Henry went solo. He collected Patrick Vieira's headed clearance midway inside the Arsenal half and proceeded to sprint forward. Having sped away from Matthew Etherington, he then sidestepped Stephen Carr on the edge of the Spurs area, before firing a low shot into the bottom corner of the net.

1. vs. Manchester United (2000)
Geographically, Spurs may be Arsenal's rivals, but where the fight for major trophies was concerned a few years ago, the battle with Man United was intense. So, when the Red Devils visited Highbury in the year 2000, the encounter was a big one, which was worthy of a winning goal of this quality. Gilles Grimandi played the ball into Henry's feet 20 yards from goal and despite having United full-back Denis Irwin for company, he flicked the ball up and volleyed his effort over a helpless Fabien Barthez.