Thierry Henry scored 226 goals in his career in the Arsenal jersey. Not easy, suddenly, to determine which is his favorite. Between the decisive achievements in meetings against the rivals of Manchester United and Tottenham, those which allowed the Gunners to win the title in 2002 and 2004, the first, the last … For “Titi”, there is ultimately not to think that much.
During an interview with another legendary striker, Gary Lineker, in his program “The Rest Is Football”, Thierry Henry was categorical. The goal in question dates back to January 9, 2012 precisely.
On the verge of tears, him the impassive
The opponent: Leeds United. The frame: the Emirates Stadium, for a 1st round of Cup. The context: the first match of the former Blues star with his former team, five years after his departure for FC Barcelona, then for New York, who has just lent him to the Gunners. The sequence: Henry has just come into play at 0-0, to replace Marouane Chamakh. Ten minutes later, on a service by Alex Song, the legendary number 14 – this time decked out in #12 – control in the area, opens his foot as he has done thousands of times before and opens the scoring.
“It's something that will surprise people, but my favorite career goal is the one against Leeds. They will say that it was just a 1st Tour of the England Cup, Leeds was in Championship … But this is the first time that I have marked for my club as a fan. (…)
It is also the first time that I let myself go during the celebration. We can see on the images that I am almost crying. (…) There were a lot of expectations. People wanted to see me again. And I wanted to see them again too. Everyone had come to the stadium to see that ”.
Two months later, Thierry Henry will return to New York after being able to live this emotion which he still describes as the strongest of his career.
