Thierry Henry retires: his five greatest Arsenal goals - video

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has announced his retirement from football at the age of 37, bringing the curtain down on a glittering career that saw him win the World Cup and European Championship with France and claim five league titles at three different clubs and a Champions League with Barcelona.

But it is as an Arsenal player that the striker will be best remembered. Henry joined the Gunners in 1999 and in eight seasons under Arsene Wenger was transformed from raw winger into one of the world's most lethal strikers.

He won two league titles and three FA Cups with the Gunners and was a double winner in 2002. He was also part of the 2004 'invincibles' side who went through the entire season unbeaten.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Henry became the club's record scorer, eclipsing legends Ian Wright and Cliff Bastin by notching up 226 goals in 369 games, including 174 in the league. A brief loan spell back at the Emirates in 2012 saw him add two more goals to his tally. In 2008 he was voted Arsenal's greatest ever player and in 2011 a statue of the striker was unveiled outside the Emirates.

Here are his five best Arsenal goals:

Henry v Charlton, 2005

A goal that illustrates Henry's speed of thought and ability to improvise on the ball. With his back to goal and defender Jonathan Fortune in close attendance the Frenchman collects Jose Antonio Reyes pass in the box but still finds a way to get on the scoresheet, nutmegging Fortune and beating the keeper with an audacious back heel.

Henry v Spurs, 2002

Arsenal fans loved Henry partly because he was one of them, and the pleasure he took in beating their local rivals Spurs was evident. This extraordinary solo goal in 2002, which saw Henry run almost the length of the pitch before firing home, prompted a famous celebration in front of the Lilywhites fans that inspired the statue of Henry that now stands outside the Emirates.

Henry v Real Madrid, 2006

Arsenal became the first English side to win at the Bernabeu when they beat the mighty Real Madrid en route to the 2006 Champions League final, and the victory came courtesy of an incredible goal from Henry. Collecting the ball from Cesc Fabregas in the centre circle, he saw off four defenders and, after riding the last ditch tackle of Sergio Ramos, fired the ball past goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Henry v Liverpool, 2004

Henry scored a hat-trick as Arsenal recovered from 2-1 down to beat old foes Liverpool 4-2 at Highbury and maintain their unbeaten record as the 2003/4 season approached its climax. His second goal was the best of the lot and gave the Gunners the lead for the first time in the match. Picking the ball up deep Henry weaves his way through the Liverpool midfield and defence before pulling off a trademark sidefoot finish.

Henry v Liverpool, 2000

Voted the second-best Arsenal goal ever, Henry's strike against Man United does not showcase the striker's pace or feature a mazy run and sidefoot finish but it proves why he was so feared by defenders. It also helped announce him as a legend in the making. There appears to be little danger as Henry collects the ball 20 yards out, with his back to goal and Dennis Irwin for company, but in one fluid motion the Arsenal man flicks the ball into the air, swivels and fires an unstoppable shot past Fabien Barthez.