• Arsenal v Leeds United, FA Cup

Henry bags winner on Arsenal return

Thierry Henry wrote his own script by netting the winning goal © PA Photos

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Thierry Henry netted a dream goal on his return for Arsenal to fire the Gunners to a 1-0 win over Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup.

Henry was the talk of North London after being named on the bench, just a couple of days after signing a loan deal with the club, and he lived up to his star billing by collecting a pass from Alex Song and slotting home a cool finish with 12 minutes remaining.

Arsenal were lacklustre for long spells, as Marouane Chamakh toiled in front of goal, but within ten minutes of being thrown on, Henry netted goal No. 227 of his Gunners career.

It was tough on Leeds who produced a fine defensive display, but Henry was not to be denied and he celebrated his winning goal with manager Arsene Wenger.

Arsenal made a bright start and Andrei Arshavin had a hat-trick of chances inside three minutes. He was wildly off target with them all, the worst of his finishes being the third as he slashed a shot over the bar from a central position.

The Arsenal midfield crafted chances in the first half, with Aaron Ramsey having a shot blocked and Mikel Arteta firing narrowly wide.

Andy Lonergan required all of his 6ft 4in frame on 54 minutes, as he had to plunge to his left to keep out a low shot from Arteta.

Arshavin could not be faulted for his endeavour, but his wayward finishing continued in the second half. He hit the side netting and dragged a shot across goal, both from presentable positions.

With Arshavin and co fluffing their lines in front of goal, Wenger sent for Henry and the club's record scorer was handed a tremendous ovation when thrown on in the 68th minute.

And it took Henry just 10 minutes to hand out a lesson in finishing. He slipped away from his marker, was found superbly by Song - killed the ball into his path and stroked a shot into the bottom corner.

Leeds struggled to fashion a response, although Wojciech Szczesny had to make a sharp save to deny Mikael Forssell in the last minute, allowing Arsenal to book a fourth-round meeting with Aston Villa.

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