FanPost

A Thierry Henry Rememberance

For the past five days, I've been contemplating the fact that Thierry Henry may have played in the final match of his professional career. My thoughts are probably no different from any other gooner. There is pride, joy and celebration. There is also melancholy. But most of all, there is reminiscing.

It was a 2005-06 match away to Wigan. I can say the year with absolute certainty because we were wearing the maroon uniforms. A free kick was won in the middle of the field, about 27 or so yards out, just slightly to the right of the keeper. At that time, free kick duties were reserved for one Thierry Henry. You might have heard of him. So, Mr. Henry stepped up to the position, placed the ball and stepped back for his run-up. But as we know quite well, the trouble was that Mr. Henry worked at his own pace, which was usually faster than most. He took off and coolly stroked a lovely free kick into the back of the net... However, just as celebrations began to commence, the referee intervened and brought it back to the dead ball. This mere mortal had the nerve to claim he hadn't yet blown the whistle for the free kick to be taken?!!

So, Henry, in all of his Henryishness, looking quite disdained with the situation, lines up the dead ball again on the edge of shooting range. For the second time, he took flight into a four step run-up and struck the ball viciously with the laces on his right boot. The ball flew majestically, curling up and over the jumping wall, taking a slight kiss off of the nearest upright before settling into the net for the second time in minutes.

He stands in the place where he struck the ball, turns his head to the official and says in clear sight of television cameras: "Is that enough?" Presumably receiving an affirmative response, he nods back approvingly and waits for his gleeful teammates to mob him.

Typical Henry, always showing off.