Top 5 of 'Scholes vs Henry'

When Thierry Henry left Arsenal for Barcelona in 2007, it was widely considered to be the end of an era. Because Thierry Henry was more than a striker. He was an enigma, a legend, one of the greatest players ever to play in the Premier League. At Barcelona, he would no longer be the star-of-the-show, with him having to compete with individuals the like of Samuel Eto’o, and Lionel Messi.

Paul Scholes announced his retirement soon after the Champions League finals humiliation to Barca, in 2011. People were left awestruck. The greatest English player of all time, had hung up his boots. But at the ripe age of 36, what more could be asked of the dynamic no.18? The time had come to accept, and move on.

Fast forward to 2012. Thierry Henry is back at Arsenal. Paul Scholes is back at Manchester United. On the 22^nd of January, the Emirates Stadium plays host to rivals Manchester United. While in itself a grand, and often acrimonious event, fans will be treated to one more rivalry : Thierry Henry vs Paul Scholes. Both, much evolved from the times they were at their peak. But both, still two of the greatest ever players to grace the English game. While there was hardly any personal rivalry among the two, both will vie for the spotlight come kickoff. So, lets take a quick look at how the games unfolded, the last times the two juggernauts met each other.

5. 21^st January 2007 – Arsenal 2 vs Manchester United 1

An absolute cracker of a match, if there was ever one. This 200^th game between Arsenal and United is notable not only because it’s the last time Henry played Man. Utd, but also because of the swerve of the game itself. United were cruising through most of the game, though Henry was troubling them, but they deservedly took the lead after Wayne Rooney met a Patrice Evra cross to give themselves the lead. Ten minutes from time, they looked like extending their lead at the top of the table with a further three points from the game, till Van Persie prodded in Rosickys cross, and level the scores. Man Utd decided to park the bus, and looked happy with the single point, till Emmanuel Eboue’s cross in stoppage caused havoc, and Henry topped it off with a smooth header to seal the points for the Gunners.

4. 21^st May 2005 [FA CUP Final] – Arsenal 0 vs Manchester United 0 (5-4 a.e.t.)

A game, which every gunner remembers, because its the last time Wengers men tasted silverware. A game, in which ‘keeper Jens Lehmann stood out, and proved himself to be a truly top-class goalkeeper. Fine saves from efforts of Rooney, Ronaldo and especially Scholes, in extra-time, and then of course, the most vital of all, a stunning stop from Scholes’ penalty, and effectively the stop that won Arsenal the FA Cup.

3. 1^st February 2005 – Arsenal 2 vs Manchester United 4

One of the most entertaining Arsenal-ManU matches in recent memory, not only were there six goals among the two, the game was peppered with fury. United’s Mikael Silvestre was sent off in the 70^th minute for a tussle with Freddie Ljungberg, and Roy Keane and Patrick Vieira had to be separated in the tunnel. Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira opened the scoring in the 8^th minute when he nodded in Henry’s corner. But Giggs equalised for the Red Devils when his volley was deflected in off Ashley Cole. Nine minuted before the break, Arsenal took the lead courtesy Dennis Bergkamp, but were pulled back soon after the restart when Ronaldo scored from a tight angle. Ronaldo go this second of the night, when he produced the simplest of finishes after some fine work by Giggs, and poor keeping by Jens Lehmann, in the 59^th minute. Ten minutes later, United were reduced to 10-men, after Silvestre was shown red, but still managed to seal the win after an unexpected goal from defender John O’Shea, who latched on to Scholes’ pass. Both sides would have been pleased when the ref blew his whistle, because it signalled the end of a short-tempered, indisciplined game, in which both could have ended with far fewer players than they actually did.

2. 24^th October 2004 – Manchester United 2 vs Arsenal 0

This is the game that bought an end to Arsenal’s famous 49 game unbeaten streak. Again, another game that was played in tempered circumstances, the deadlock was broken in the 73^rd minute, after Arsenal defender Sol Campbell conceded a penalty, after his foul on Wayne Rooney, and Ruud Van Nistelrooy converted with his trademark cucumber-coolness. Deep into stoppage time, Rooney scored, and sealed a memorable loss for Arsenal. One, which may have signaled their fall from the pedestal of English football.

1. 28^th March 2004 – Arsenal 1 vs Manchester United 1

Arsenal would’ve felt hard done by, with the scoreline, as United came from behind to score late on, in the match through substitute Louis Saha. Arsenal had taken the lead when Henry powered in a 30-yard stonker past United keeper Roy Carroll. Both sides were correctly denied penalties throughout the game, but Arsenal paid the price as they sacrificed two points as result of a lackadaisical defensive attitude.

If these five games are anything to go by, then we might be in for a very special treat on Sunday. Just keep your fingers crossed, and hope the two stalwarts can start the game for their sides, and leave a telling mark on the game.