History

GGG41: Thierry Henry v Sparta Prague, 2005

It's time to reveal the Gunners' Greatest 50 Goals - as voted for by Arsenal's fans.

The circumstances in which this goal was scored makes it memorable but it’s the sheer beauty of the finish that puts it at No 41 in our countdown.

When Arsenal travelled to Prague, top of Champions League Group B, it was unlikely that Thierry Henry would even make the squad. A niggling groin injury had kept the striker out for six weeks and Arsène Wenger would surely not rush him back for this clash against Sparta.

But surprisingly Henry’s name was among the substitutes and, when Jose Antonio Reyes was hurt after only 15 minutes, the boss gave him the nod.

The mercurial Frenchman had been hurtling towards Ian Wright’s all-time goalscoring record before his injury but he made up for lost time after only six minutes of entering the fray.

Kolo Toure’s long pass was expertly controlled with his right outstep, facing away from goal. With space around the ball, the striker shimmied into a shooting position and released a magnificent curling half-volley into the far corner with the outside of his right boot.

There could be no better way to equal Wrighty’s record. It was achingly sumptuous.

Fitting too that he’d break the record on the same night with his second goal in the 2-0 win.