Written by Ben Harrington Thursday, 12 January 2012 14:14

GunnerTalk Blog

By Ben Harrington

Last week I had a slight doubt about Thierry Henry returning, nothing to do with his ability, influence or the lift he would give every single Gooner. I was concerned his legacy would be tarnished if he didn’t produce the goods, being as the average Arsenal fan would throw the slightest hissy-fit if he missed a chance or didn’t run for a ball.

I was concerned that his legacy and hero status could be replaced by the fickle few if he had a bad 6 week spell with us. But in the pub and in the ground on Monday the buzz about him returning was what I hoped it would be, the sheer iconic status of this one person made for a cracking second half atmosphere.

I haven’t really got much of a report to write about as the match itself was quite poor for the first 68 minutes. Song, Ramsey and Arteta were running the show from central midfield, The Ox looks threatening each and every time he got the ball and ran at the Leeds back four. Even Arshavin, despite having zero final product put in quite a shift.

But all the good work from midfield was seemingly wasted due to Chamakh's ruined confidence and the fact he left his early Arsenal career somewhere in the world never to be found again.

It may seem I am placing the blame on poor old Marouane, but I couldn’t see the point in playing a player who the very next day was off for 6 weeks at the annoyingly timed African Cup of Nations when we had Park (remember him?) on the bench who will be around for the rest of the season.

Anyway, lets not dwell on that as the night belonged to one man, rumours were circulating that Thierry had romped the ESPN man of the match vote before even coming on and that for me was a reward well deserved after he received a beautiful through ball from Alex Song, controlled it with one touch and stroked it in the far corner with the next to avoid the unwanted replay.

Any lingering doubts that a year in the MLS would have stripped him of all his natural genius was gone, it was like the Henry of old and I for one hope we see a few more flashes before his inevitable departure back across the pond.

Until next time

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