Thierry Henry

A spectacular talent

Arsenal's Thierry Henry celebrates scoring against Rosenborg during their Champions League football match at Highbury in London 07 December, 2004. AFP PHOTO/JIM WATSON

Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry is quite simply one of the greatest players in the game today.

A junior European champion with friends David Trezeguet and Nicolas Anelka back in 1996, he emerged as the best of the crop and has won nearly every major honour in the game.

Henry looks set to see out his career at Arsenal after deciding to stay with the London club days after their 2006 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.

French forward Thierry Henry, jumping over South African goalkeeper Hans Vonk, smiles as he watches the ball go into the net for his team's third goal, 12 June at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille during the 1998 Soccer World Cup Group C first round match between France and South Africa. France wins 3-0.

Since making his international debut against South Africa in October, 1997 he has played in two World Cups, including the 1998 victory, as well as the triumphant campaign at Euro 2000.

Differences with his first professional club Monaco led to a move to Italy's Serie A and Juventus in January 1999.

However, in Turin he was unable to settle in his game, even with the support of compatriots Zinedine Zidane and Didier Deschamps, admitting: "It was too early for me to show what I can do in the Italian league".

A life less troublesome

French striker Thierry Henry celebrates with The F.A Cup after Arsenal beat Chelsea at The Millenium Stadium in Cardiff 04 May 2002. Arsenal won the game 2-0. AFP PHOTO Adrian DENNIS

Ironically, it was in 1999 when Anelka left Arsenal in rather acrimonious circumstances that Henry found his paradise, at Highbury with his former coach Arsene Wenger and compatriots Emmanuel Petit, Gilles Grimandi and Patrick Vieira.

Before his departure for England, Henry had been habitually played in a forward supporting role on the left flank, where his speed and ability to run on to and with the ball were put to good use.

French forward Thierry Henry (R) controls the ball despite German defender Arne Friedrich (L), 15 November 2003 at the Arena Auf Schalke stadium in Gelsenkirchen during their friendly soccer match. AFP PHOTO FRANCK FIFE

In London, Wenger has taken his progress a step further, employing him in a more central and pivotal striker's position, something which he has embraced with a passion, as many of his goals and premier league defences will testify.

A technically gifted player who can also be physical when it counts, unpredictable and inspirational on the park.

During France's exciting drive to the Euro 2000 title Henry was a constant source of danger to opposing defences and chipped in with three goals as France stormed to the championship, culminating with Trezeguet's golden goal winner in the final against Italy.

French forward Thierry Henry reacts after France lost the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan opening match against Senegal in Seoul, 31 May 2002. Senegal beats France 1-0. AFP PHOTO/Roberto Schmidt

Although the 2002 World Cup was a disaster for everyone involved in the French campaign, Henry has put the disappointment behind him and just goes from strength to strength.

French forward Thierry Henry controls the ball during the Euro 2000 group D match opposing Denmark to France 11 June 2000, in Bruges. Henry scored France's second goal. (ELECTRONIC IMAGE)

He won the scoring title, player of the year award and helped Arsenal to another title in a superb campaign in 2004 but the European championships were a vastly different experience for Henry and France.

A dramatic 2-1 win over arch rivals England got France off to a good start but two mediocre performances against Croatia and Switzerland sowed some doubts for the quarter-finals.

Pitted against outsiders Greece, Henry, Zidane and co. came unstuck and were eliminated 1-0 in a massive upset.