THE BEST 'FRENCH C***' I EVER SAW
BY SAMUEL RUBACK
As a person who spends most of their spare time thinking, watching, arguing and tweeting about Arsenal, conjuring a specific thought or memory to write about has been surprisingly hard. In the end, my topic of choice would hardly rank as the most original but I make no excuses for writing about the man who most significantly shaped my formative years of Arsenaldom.
The great man's influence is unparalleled, to the extent that i sometimes wonder if he was the first player to try the open body, curled right foot shot to the far corner. Despite the years of sheer excellence he provided one goal in particular which sticks out in my mind-that equaliser vs Spurs at Highbury in the 2005/6 season.
Starting on the bench, we'd been treated to a particularly unenjoyable game prior to his entry, with Diaby and Adebayor at their frustrating worst and Spurs leading through a goal owing to a combination from hell of Keane and Davids.
The prospect of Spurs winning that game and extending their lead over us in the table began to dawn on the crowd and Henry's timely intervention was needed. The goal itself was one of the last great moments of joy at Highbury (other than that wonderful final day) and epitomised the genius of the man. Receiving the ball on the turn and jabbing it in to the corner all in one movement was truly breathtaking and demonstrated that Henry had always been quicker in mind and in body than any defender.
The celebrations were wild and I had the pleasure of being next to that small pocket of away fans in the West Stand. A particular Spurs fan who'd had the pleasure of winding us up for most of the game, turned to me after our celebrations had calmed down, paused and shouted 'French C***.' I think it was meant as some tribal way of him saying 'he's bloody good.'
Anyway, I'm sure every Arsenal fan has a library of Henry highlights in their head and he certainly scored better goals than this one. Though, for whatever reason this one will always shine brightly for me. Here's to you Thierry, the best French C*** I ever saw.
