Arsenal 1 - 0 Leeds United: Like old times as Thierry Henry put Gunners through in FA Cup tie

Arsenal’s record goalscorer Thierry Henry enjoyed a fairytale return to the club last night as his goal earned them an FA Cup third-round win over Leeds.

The 34-year-old, back at the Emirates on a two-month loan spell from the New York Red Bulls, came off the bench for his second debut with 23 minutes remaining and needed just 11 of them to rediscover his old touch, beating Andy Lonergan with a finish reminiscent of so many of the 226 goals he scored for the club during his first spell.

The home side had done everything but score until his intervention. Andrey Arshavin wasted two good chances and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was a constant menace against the Championship side.

A delayed departure for the African Nations Cup ensured that Arsenal could call on the services of striker Marouane Chamakh, and he played in Arshavin after four minutes, only for the Russian to skew his effort from the edge of the box high and wide.

Leeds were fortunate to see Sebastien Squillaci head Mikel Arteta’s free-kick wide at the other end, before Aaron Ramsey fizzed a 20-yard drive just over Andy Lonergan’s bar and then had a close-range effort blocked by Danny Pugh. Arteta then went close himself, drilling just wide from the edge of the box, before Leeds fashioned their first chance in the 24th minute.

Mika Vayrynen broke into the box and, after Laurent Koscielny cleared his cross, the ball fell to Luciano Becchio six yards out, but he drilled over when it was easier to score.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger lost Francis Coquelin to a hamstring injury on the half-hour mark, handing 18-year-old Nico Yennaris just a second career appearance. Henry went out to warm up for the first time at the start of the second half and received a standing ovation, while on the field, Oxlade-Chamberlain cut inside Aidy White and dragged a shot wide of the post.

Lonergan made a fine save low to his left with 55 minutes gone, keeping out Arteta’s low shot after Oxlade-Chamberlain’s cross. The latter was mounting a one-man assault on Leeds, having a chip cleared off the line and seeing a shot saved by Lonergan, before he and Chamakh were withdrawn with 22 minutes left, with Walcott and Henry coming on.

Henry’s first involvement was to be flagged offside, but his first legal contribution was far more telling. With 12 minutes left he collected a slide-rule pass from Alex Song down the left-hand side of the area, took one touch and then slotted the ball beyond Lonergan before running down the touchline to celebrate with Wenger and all ten of his team-mates. Leeds’ response consisted of a long-range effort from Michael Brown, a header from substitute Ross McCormack and fizzing effort from Mikael Forssell.

“I will always remember tonight,” said an emotional Henry afterwards. “When it comes to Arsenal something happens with me, I love the club and hope I can do more.

“The feeling I had when I scored was amazing.

“I rejoined the club as a fan; before I wasn’t. Scoring a goal when you support the team, now I know how some of the guys who played for Liverpool or Man United or Chelsea felt when they scored a goal for the club they support. With one opportunity, it’s very important, you don’t know if you’ll have a second.”

Wenger said: “You could see Thierry brought his class but also how much it means to him to come on and make the difference. We’ve seen it so many times, him finishing at the right moment. It looks easy but it’s not.”