Henry hat-trick a perfect farewell
Henry hat-trick a perfect farewell
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Sunday, 07, May 2006 05:33
Thierry Henry said the perfect goodbye to Highbury with a hat-trick as Arsenal overcame a battling Wigan Athletic side 4-2 to gain the crucial fourth spot in the Premiership.
With Spurs losing 2-1 at West Ham, Arsenal took their chance to secure a place in Europe's top competition next season, whatever happens in this month’s Champions League final.
Henry is a living Arsenal legend and it was fitting that he was the star on that last day at one of English football’s great stadiums.
The Frenchman slotted his first and Arsenal's second after a Robert Pires through-ball split the Wigan defence.
But the Latics refused to roll over and threatened to ruin Arsenal’s party.
Paul Scharner poked in and David Thompson curled home a free kick to frighten the Gunners, who were starting to look nervy.
With the game poised at 2-2 and Wigan looking confident, Henry latched onto a misplaced back pass from Thompson to round the goalkeeper and knock home his second.
The icing on the cake came when Andreas Johansson was dismissed for bringing down Freddie Ljungberg in the box and Henry coolly converted the penalty.
With the Arsenal fans sticking around to claim any mementoes of the 93-year-old ground they could find, they were also hoping that they were not saying goodbye to Henry.
The Frenchman has been linked with Barcelona all season, but the certainty of Champions League football next season could be a factor in him staying.
Another Arsenal legend, Dennis Bergkamp, came on in the second half to say his own goodbye to Arsenal’s fans before he retires.