5 epic moments associated with Thierry Henry's Arsenal jersey
To speak of Thierry Henry is to speak of one of the 14 most remembered numbers not only of Arsenal FC, but also of Barcelona. However, his genius shone especially brightly with the Gunners.
Thierry Henry's Arsenal jersey features in the English Premier League Olympus, due to the Frenchman's influence on Arsene Wenger's historic team.
His love affair with the English team began in 1999 and ended in 2006, the same year as the demolition of the Highbury Stadium. The Premier League title, the FA Cup trophy, a runners-up spot in the Champions League and a record for unbeatenness were the legacy Tití (as he was colloquially called) left at Arsenal.
But what feats did Thierry Henry's Arsenal t-shirts star in? Why was his team known as the Invincibles? What was the design of their outfits like? Discover it in the following lines!
What were the most epic episodes in Thierry Henry's Arsenal jersey?
The legendary club founded in 1886 culminated the signing of the then promising Henry during the summer of 1999. The amount of his transfer (16,100,000 euros) was the subject of debate in the sporting gatherings. Did the Frenchman, who had previously played for AS Monaco, really deserve it?
There is no better way to answer this question than by reviewing Tití's record, with his triumphs and defeats, which one is more emblematic. Will you join us?
Henry and the Invincibles of the 2003-2004 season
Without a doubt, the most memorable season in Arsenal's recent history began in August 2003. Middlesbrough was their first obstacle to the Premier League title, and it was thanks to goals from Henry (as well as Gilberto Silva and Sylvain Wiltord) that they managed a 4-0 win over their Yorkshire rivals.
Henry's Arsenal shirt was beginning to be the subject of all eyes and flashes. Its design, developed by Nike, was one of the most beautiful in living memory, with the red t-shirt on the front and white on the sleeves and part of the shoulders.
Telefónica UK Limited (O2) advertising adorned the front of the garment, while the socks and shorts were in matching red and white.
At the time, neither Arsene Wenger nor Henry could have guessed that the season would end in zero defeats. Only clubs such as Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City managed to draw with The Invincibles, as this was the name given to the Premier League's most lethal team.
For Gunners fans, this feat is strongly associated with Arsenal's Henry jersey, one of the most sought-after models among English football fans.
Premier League Player of the Season
But his unbeatenness during the 2003-2004 season was not the only feat in Thierry Henry's Arsenal jersey.
On an individual level, the Frenchman managed to win the Premier League Player of the Season in two consecutive seasons (2002 and 2003), a feat that had never been achieved before. In fact, no other player has been able to repeat it.
Although he did not win this award in 2005, Tití never ceased to amaze locals and strangers by reaching 185 goals in the London team jersey. It was a record that, until then, had been held by Ian Wright, who handed his trophy (a silver cannon) to the French striker.
A double with a lot of style
The 2001-2002 season was a special one for the Gunners, who once again had the ace in the sleeve to have Titi in the eleven.
Against all odds, that season anticipated the generation of talent that would give rise to the Invincibles. They won the Premier League and the FA Cup, a historic double for the Londoners.
In addition to the titles won, this season was made memorable by Arsenal's second team. His shirt was gold instead of the usual yellow, with red lines on the top, high neck and black and advertising from SEGA, for which 2001 was his annus horribilis, as the Dreamcast console would be discontinued.
Henry, a king without a crown in Europe
But it wasn't all victories for Arsène Wenger's Gunners. Thierry Henry's Arsenal jersey witnessed one of the most painful episodes in the club's history: his defeat in the final of the Champions League at the hands of Barça.
It was the 2005-2006 season, and Rijkaard's Barcelona was going through one of its best moments. The Stade de France witnessed a 2-1 draw that turned Henry's dream and the rest of Arsenal's players into a nightmare.
Despite succumbing to one of the best Barça in living memory, Tití's outfit went down in history as well: they wore the second outfit, with its intense yellow colour with details, shorts and black socks.
Curiously in June 2007, Thierry Henry left the dressing rooms of Arsenal for military in the ranks of his 'executioner' in Champions, FC Barcelona of Messi and Eto'o.
Henry and the farewell to Highbury
Henry's last jersey at Arsenal corresponded to the 2005-2006 season, the final touch of which was not as expected, as can be seen from the previous point.
But this outfit was equally special, not only for bidding farewell to Tití, but for the beauty of its design. Once again, Nike was the manufacturer behind the Arsenal shirt, whose main outfit wore a very atypical garnet colour, with the high collar of the same shade, the shield in the centre, the white shorts and the garnet socks.
With this mythical outfit, Thierry Henry closed one of the most glorious stages of the Gunners, who were also bidding farewell to their first stadium, the historic Highbury of 1913.
During the summer of 2006, Highbury was demolished, and for that reason Henry's Arsenal jersey and other players from that season had commemorative details in his honour. Funny, isn't it?
Of course, the Premier League is a box of surprises, with football giants like Henry, whose time with the English side will never be forgotten.