Henry scores on comeback to send Arsenal through to next round

Thierry Henry scored a dramatic winner on Monday night to seal a 1-0 win for Arsenal as they beat Leeds at the Emirates to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup. Henry scored his 227th goal with 12 minutes remaining as he capped off a memorable return to action in an Arsenal shirt. After securing a two month loan deal the Gunners will be hoping for more of the same over that time from the goal scoring hero. With Gervinho off to the Africa Cup of Nations and Chamakh following in the days to come, only Chamakh started whilst Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arshavin and Squillaci all got chances to prove themselves as Song, Ramsey and Arteta who captained the side on the night all started.

Henry scored on his comeback to send Arsenal into the next round of the FA Cup

The first chance of the game fell to Arshavin as he cut inside but only managed to fire the ball high and wide of the goal.

Arsenal's next chance came from a free kick as Arteta floated the ball into towards the back post and onto the head of Squillaci who headed just wide.

Ramsey then managed to create a chance for himself as he got forward and then hit a left footed shot from outside the box which wistled over the bar.

Ramsey had had a great start to the game as he then set up Arteta for a shot as he came onto his left foot before drilling a shot wide of the target.

The visitors first opportunity of the game fell to Becchio as the ball came off an Arsenal player and bounced into the path of the Argentine who blazed his shot over the crossbar.

The score at half time was 0-0.

The first chance of the second half came in the opening minute as Oxlade-Chamberlain got down the right hand side before cutting inside and again firing wide of the goalkeeper and the goal.

Arshavin was looking as though he had something to prove as he almost found the net after a Leeds mistake. The ball bounced off Chamakh and then onto a Leeds player before arriving at Arshavin's feet but he sliced the ball wide.

Oxlade-Chamberlain then forced a save out of Lonergan in the Leeds goal as he played a one-two with Ramsey before firing a fierce shot towards goal which was parmed away by Lonergan.

It was then the return of the legend as Thierry Henry replaced Marouane Chamakh on 67 minutes.

That change proved to be decisive as Henry scored with his first chance back in an Arsenal shirt. Alex Song picked the ball up before playing the ball through to Henry who comfortably side footed the ball into the back of the net to roll back the years and give Arsenal the lead. His celebration was rounded off with a hug from the manager, Arsene Wenger.

The Gunners still had to withstand one more chance as Townsend, on loan from Tottenham, played the ball into the path of Forssell who saw his shot kept out by Szczesny.

Henry's goal proved to be the difference as the Gunners went into the fourth round of the FA Cup to play Aston Villa at home later this month.

The final score ended Arsenal 1-0 Leeds.

The teams lineups:

Arsenal: Szczesny, Coquelin(33), Koscielny, Squillaci, Miquel, Song, Arteta, Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain(68), Arshavin, Chamakh(68).
Subs: Martinez, Yennaris(33), Benayoun, Ryo, Walcott(68), Park, Henry(68).

Leeds: Lonergan, Lees, Thompson, O'Dea, White, Clayton, Vayrynen(61), Pugh, Townsend, Nunez(82), Becchio(74).
Subs: Taylor, Bruce, Sam, Brown(61), Parker, Forssell(82), McCormack(74).

My man of the match: Thierry Henry

Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Attendance: 59,615