Arsenal power rankings: The 10 greatest players under Arsene Wenger
By Kian Long
1. Thierry Henry (1999-2007 & 2012)
“He may be cast in bronze, but he’s still capable of producing truly golden moments.”
That’s the commentary which sent shivers down the spines of Arsenal fans. However, that quotation alone perfectly summarises Thierry Henry. Where words just can’t do justice, that is the closest thing which does.
Henry is the best striker to play in the Premier League. Period. His graceful approach and the way he took control of the pitch were simply sublime. He had it all, the pace, the flair, the finishing and the footballing intelligence.
Arriving from Monaco before the millennium, Arsene Wenger set his plans for Henry straight. He converted Henry from his natural position on the wing to a striker, and the rest is history. He went on to score 228 goals in 377 appearances for the Gunners, becoming their leading scorer by quite some distance.
He scored against many teams during his reign. His most notorious goals came against the likes of Real Madrid, Tottenham and Manchester United. He was by no means a flat-track bully because no game fazed him.
Whenever he played well, Arsenal played well. He had the ability to flick the on-switch at any given moment, which is why the Arsenal fans admired him so much. Whenever the cameraman would zoom in on him, his hands on his hips, wearing his iconic Nike gloves, then you knew it would be a good night.
It will be hard for anyone to leave behind the legacy that Henry left. As he now embarks on his managerial career, football fans can hope to see glimpses of his time under Arsene Wenger. That’s what we all want.
Next. Arsene Wenger's top 10 Arsenal moments. dark
Which changes would you make to this list?