Arsenal Dream Team: 9. Thierry Henry

Let’s be honest: Thierry Henry’s place in our Dream Team was never in doubt.

The Frenchman had everything: exquisite technique, searing pace, surprising strength, awareness of others and a lethal touch in front of goal. In his prime, he was unstoppable.

"He was always there for me if I wanted to talk to him. I was quite scared at first but as I got older and played with him a bit more he was fantastic. [When he was here before] it was great being around him and learning from the best."

THEO WALCOTT

And like the typical superstar, of which there are many in our all-time XI, he did pretty much everything for his team. Henry was the captain, the talisman, the dead-ball expert, the penalty-taker and the assist-maker.

Arsène Wenger transformed Thierry from erratic winger into striker extraordinaire. Within a year of his move from Juventus and his change of position, he was considered a leading European striker. Before long he was regarded as the world’s finest.

During his time at Arsenal, Thierry became the Club's all-time top scorer with 226 goals from 370 appearances. Thumping drives, delicate chips, jinking runs, audacious backheels, even the odd header - Thierry had a multitude of ways to find the net.

He was also an integral part of the 2003/04 ‘Invincibles’, won the Premier League twice, the FA Cup twice, the Premier League 'Golden Boot' four times, was voted the PFA Player of the Year twice and the FWA Player of the Year on three occasions.

He could always be relied on for moments of individual brilliance but Thierry was on the same wavelength as his team-mates too. He and Robert Pires were verging on telepathic while his understanding with Dennis Bergkamp could cut even the meanest of defences to ribbons.

Put simply, Henry was a manager’s dream.

NO 9 THIERRY HENRY

Striker

Appearances: 377

Goals: 228

Selected in 98 per cent of teams

"Arsenal will be in my blood as well as my heart. I will always, always, always remember you guys [the fans]. I said I was going to be a Gunner for life and I did not lie because when you are a Gunner you will always be a Gunner. The Club is in my heart and will remain in my heart forever."

Thierry Henry