Pace, power and grace. Henry gave Premier League defenders nightmares for eight seasons.
Converted by Arsene Wenger from a winger to striker, he redefined forward play, starting on the left, but proving just as deadly closer to goal.
He scored over 20 Premier League goals five seasons running, claiming four Golden Boots, with some outrageous strikes.
Not content with just scoring he provided 74 assists, including a record 20 in 2002/03, and he won two Player of the Season awards.
"It was embarrassing for the defenders," reflected Wenger. "He just scored when he wanted."
What amazed me was that he never seemed to get a sweat on. He could run 100 meters past five players and he wouldn’t even be breathing heavily.
He is a strong character. If things go wrong, he bounces straight back.
When he hit top gear and ran past you, it was like trying to chase after someone on a motorbike.
“The boss. It’s a great picture because you just don’t know what can happen and it’s up to you to do whatever it takes to be successful. You can also see in that picture, the connection – the way he looks at me and I look at him. It’s easy to say now at the end of the story but there was a great connection and we understood each other. Like all father figures you have arguments, but he made me better, that’s the most important thing.”
“It’s a great photo. You have two men next to me that suffered a lot that season. Robert got injured in the FA Cup and then Sol Campbell. He went through a lot that season, it wasn’t easy for him – especially playing the game at White Hart Lane. Robert had just had his operation, but what a season he had and we all rightly bowed [when he lifted the trophy] because he was just unplayable.”
“It’s crazy. This is how you know I’m committed because Sol tried to stop me. I must have been possessed because normally when Sol puts his hand on you, you stop! I was just in trance, I guess. Every morning the week before you had Pat Rice [assistant manager] in training screaming, ‘Hey, are you ready?’ and I’m saying, ‘Pat, the game is on Saturday!’ But you get in, you tune in and then after you end in this situation [the celebration] which is now obviously an iconic Arsenal moment.”
“Ah, the Lane! First and foremost you’re a Champion. The whole ‘don’t celebrate type of thing’ – we went to celebrate with the Arsenal fans, we never went round the stadium. Maybe people won’t understand if you’re not an Arsenal man or a Tottenham man, but it is a moment that will stay forever. Edu there, young Gael Clichy at the back, Jose Antonio Reyes, what a player he was by the way. Good memories”
“A special moment. Yes, I cried. I never used to show emotions, but I’ve changed a bit now – I understand that being vulnerable is okay. Showing emotion is okay. I mean, my kids can see that statue forever. The thing I like is that I’m kneeling in front of the stadium, it’s a humbling way of being in front of the club I love most with Highbury behind me. It’s something that I still can’t comprehend but have learned to embrace and accept.”
|
Season
Season
|
Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
|
2011/2012 |
 Arsenal |
4 | 1 |
|
2006/2007 |
Arsenal |
17 | 10 |
|
2005/2006 |
Arsenal |
32 | 27 |
|
2004/2005 |
Arsenal |
32 | 25 |
|
2003/2004 |
Arsenal |
37 | 30 |
|
2002/2003 |
Arsenal |
37 | 24 |
|
2001/2002 |
Arsenal |
33 | 24 |
|
2000/2001 |
Arsenal |
35 | 17 |
|
1999/2000 |
Arsenal |
31 | 17 |
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