During the course of any given sporting event there's always the possibility of something magical happening. That one special moment that lives on in our memories forever and gets talked about amongst friends and fellow supporters with great affection years after it actually takes place. Part of the appeal of sports is being able to say you were there or you witnessed it on tv, and how great it was. Escaping reality and getting away from life's hassles and problems for a few short hours at a time to live vicariously through superhuman men who represent our colors, a shared sense of brotherhood, and what we wish we could be and live on a competitive field of play, whatever the sport may be. Some games without a doubt provide the atmosphere for such moments more so than others. Last night I was lucky enough to experience one of the few moments that will live on forever during Arsenals FA cup match against Leeds United. One chance was all Arsenal legend Thierry Henry needed to spark magic with his right foot on his second "debut" for his beloved club.
I won't hesitate to admit I wasn't so sure bringing Thierry Henry back on a two month loan from the New York Red Bulls was exactly what we needed to cure my Gunners offensive woes. I mean the man is now 34 years old and hasn't exactly been setting the world on fire in the lowly MLS. Not to say he's been playing poorly but the MLS is easily a few steps below European football as far as quality of play and at Henry's age nobody can argue he has lost a step on his pace. We definitely need help up front and with Chamakh and Gervinho out for a few weeks for the African Cup of Nations; I don't think anyone would argue a move needed to be made. Especially given Chamakh's current form which is miserable at best and our serious lack of a quality backup to van Persie. Will Henry be able to provide the needed goals is the question?
I kind of felt like bringing him back might have been a move by Wenger to appease the fans. I mean who doesn't want to see a legend from whatever team you support return years later? How much conversation has been spent debating the impact players of old would have today or how they stack up against current squads? Was this simply a move for nostalgic purposes? With all the noise about needing a striker would the man who can do no wrong at this club be the answer or just a way to get people off Arsene's back til our others return from national duty and make us forget about our goal scoring woes this season? While hoping for the best and an immediate impact I couldn't help but wonder if he was truly impressing on the training ground or just brought on for the wrong reasons. I mean signing a permanent striker who can do the job consistently and take pressure off of van Persie seems the better move honestly.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not doubting Titi's credentials here just his current form and time available. After all this is Arsenals all time leading goal scorer and a legend. He has a statue outside the Grove for a reason. 226 goals on 369 appearances for the club as well as 92 assists. Only a handful of players anywhere in the world can boast numbers like this. Two league titles to go along with three FA cups as well as being a major part of the only unbeaten season in Premiership history. No one can doubt him as an all time great in our sport and he did it all with a touch of class and a sense of pride and determination the likes of which are rarely ever seen on the pitch. As well it is great for our youngsters to train alongside someone with the talent and experience of a Thierry Henry.
Yet even with the doubts and questions begging to be answered I would guess there wasn't a Gooner in the world who wasn't on the edge of their seat during yesterdays cup match, anticipating the return of our hero. Be honest with yourself, you know youve dreamed of seeing heroes of the past come back, if only for one match and yet there he was at the start of the match, on the bench in the colors of the Arsenal once again. The sight alone was enough to stir excitement and create a feeling that something special was upon us.
The first half went by rather uneventful. We controlled the flow of the game and held possession but were unable to find the finishing touch that has eluded us a majority of the season with the exception of van Persie. The second half started a little more promising and saw Henry off the bench and warming up shortly after kickoff. Then to a thunderous roar from the 60,000 at the Emirates Stadium, with around 20 minutes left in a scoreless draw that looked like it would end as such the legendary Thierry Henry entered the game alongside a man who looked up to him and proudly wears his old number 14, Theo Walcott.
Eight minutes. Eight minutes is all it took for the legend to create more history and add to his lore. I don't think anyone would've been disappointed had he merely gotten in a few good touches and looked like he still had some of the skill which made him so great over his years in the red and white of the Arsenal but the script had been written differently on this day. Alex Song, a man who has shown a knack for putting the ball exactly where it needs to be started something great. Other passing options were available but Song eyed an opportunity to get the ball to Henry who was hugging the back line tightly to stay onside by the thinnest of margins. Pass from Song to Henry, perfect. Henry's first touch to create a shot, brilliant as ever. Henry's curling shot from the inside of his foot, around the keeper, and into the side netting, magical. Titi celebrated like a man possessed, running around the stadium pounding the beloved crest with the cannon on his chest before embracing Wenger who had a major part in making him the player he is.
At home on my couch I couldn't help but share his excitement and feel the sense of pride in such a great club that Henry and the rest of the team were feeling at that moment and after the final whistle as that proved to be the game winner. Shortly before the goal I joked that Leeds were gonna piss him off as one of their defenders appeared to be attempting a full nelson on Titi during a throw in and that they wanted no part of that. I almost jumped clean off my cushion as the net rippled about a minute later. I realize Leeds is far from the quality side they once were and we probably should've won this game by a lot more than we did but the way this story played out is something I don't think anyone would trade for any scoreline. The match itself wasn't of the utmost importance but this cup does represent what is probably Arsenal's best chance at a trophy and a win was fairly important to the club. More importantly was the chance to yet again see a hero in action on our side and bear witness to how great a simple sporting event can be in the eyes of many. The final whistle left us with an unforgettable image of our hero facing the sky, eyes closed, with his arms raised in triumph. Hollywood couldn't have written it better and for one moment we were able to live that magical moment that happens all too rarely.
