During Black History Month, we are celebrating the contribution players of African and Caribbean descent have made to the Premier League in each of the last 30 seasons.
2003/04 - Thierry Henry
Heading into their Premier League match with Liverpool on 9 April 2004, Arsenal's near-faultless season was on the verge of unravelling.
Talk of a treble had ended after an FA Cup semi-final defeat to Manchester United was followed by a UEFA Champions League quarter-final exit to Chelsea, all within six days.
For the Good Friday match against Liverpool at Highbury, their leading scorer Thierry Henry was able to play only after passing a late fitness test on a back injury.
Then Liverpool stunned the home team, with an early goal from Sami Hyypia. It was cancelled out by Henry but another from Michael Owen just before half-time threatened to end Arsenal's 30-match unbeaten run since the start of the season.
Cue an inspired second-half display from Henry and the league leaders.
Robert Pires equalised on 49 minutes, and within 60 seconds Henry had put Arsenal ahead with a wonderful solo goal.
The Frenchman collected a pass from Gilberto Silva, glided past several Liverpool players, some toppling like skittles, before slotting beyond Jerzy Dudek.
"When I watch my goals, I never really get goosebumps, but with that one, even watching it now, I do," Henry later said.
With 13 minutes remaining, Henry completed his first and only Premier League hat-trick of the season as Arsenal triumphed 4-2 to extend their lead at the top to seven points.
Henry's intervention was crucial as Arsenal claimed the title and became the only side to go an entire Premier League season unbeaten.
He got 30 goals that campaign to secure his second Golden Boot, while also being named Player of the Season.
Henry left Arsenal in 2007 as their record-scorer to join Barcelona. He returned for a brief loan spell in 2012, scoring twice.
After spells as coach at Monaco and Montreal Impact, Henry is enjoying his second stint as assistant head coach of Belgium.
In May 2021, Henry became one of the inaugural inductees of the Premier League Hall of Fame.
See: Black History Month: Honouring Premier League icons
