Henry's turn in Turin is a joy

In the man who wears the number 14 shirt each Arsenal player has a shining example, writes Michael Walker

For someone who is perceived to have, if not failed, then not triumphed in Italy, Thierry Henry must by now be almost fond of the place. In his previous two visits Henry scored a hat-trick in Rome in 2002 and twice in a 5-1 demolition of Internazionale at San Siro in 2003.

Last night, captain's armband on, he led Arsenal into an historic first European Cup semi-final with a performance of class and energy. It was a reminder that the French striker is as credible a contender for any of those bar-stool arguments about the best player in the world as anyone.

From first to last, from end to end, just about everything Henry did came off. Much of it was off the ball and plaudits will deservedly go to Jens Lehmann, Emmanuel Eboue and Kolo Toure, but in the man who wears the number 14 shirt each Arsenal player has a shining example.

After the art of Highbury nine days ago, this was more about application, though there were some beautiful touches from the likes of Alexander Hleb, especially in contrast to the leaden efforts from Juventus.

The comparative poverty of David Trezeguet, Henry's nominal replacement at the Stadio delle Alpi, must have pained every Juve fan because they know one fact above all about Henry here - they had him first. If the first leg had been all about Patrick Vieira , then Henry's return was underplayed. Unlike Vieira at Highbury, Henry had been back once before, but it was four years ago and the match was meaningless. This was altogether different, and in the endless debate about whether he will stay at Arsenal, nights like this can only help persuade him.

Henry's brief time in Italy is said to concern him still privately. He came as a 20-year-old in a post-1998 World Cup-winning glow. He left within a year, slightly older but with some of his vim dulled. At Arsenal it has been restored, and to a magnificent level, but the question of his future remains. This should at least postpone definitive decisions.

After just three goals in 12 starts during seven injury-interrupted months, Juventus acceded to Arsenal's inquiry - and grabbed their £10 million.

Back in 1999 probably only Wenger could see what Henry might be, and so it was that he came on as a substitute for Dennis Bergkamp in the first game of that season. It was a match at Highbury, against Leicester City, and Arsenal won it only through a last-minute own-goal from Frank Sinclair. Lee Dixon and Nigel Winterburn played - Henry has bridged generations at the club.

This was rather different. But even if Juventus fans ignored all the goals that Henry has scored since his transfer - including statistics that we also need reminding of, such as the 38 goals in Arsenal's famous 49-match run - in the first 10 minutes alone last night he illustrated why he should never have been seen as the left-sided functionary in a five-man Italian midfield.

His first touch here was an improvised, volleyed flick with the outside of his foot to Jose Antonio Reyes. The Frenchman was clearly in the mood, and a fourth-minute burst into the Juve area was facilitated by the nutmegging of Adrian Mutu.

Three minutes later Henry accepted a difficult over-hit pass from Mathieu Flamini. Henry was on the touchline and had Gianluca Zambrotta marking him closely, but the ease with which he held off the Italy international and retained possession for Arsenal was evidence of his superiority, even against very experienced opponents.

Then, two minutes after that, when Gilberto Silva had a half-chance at the far post, Henry covered the Brazilian in midfield as Juve broke.

And it was a work-rate that Henry was to maintain: at the 38th-minute corner at which Reyes was booked, Juventus cleared the ball to Pavel Nedved, 15 yards inside the Arsenal half. And there at right-back challenging for the long ball was Henry.

If there was to be a criticism it that Henry does not score enough headers and he stood off Eboue's 41st-minute cross as Freddie Ljungberg went in. But one of those tracking devices will be able to measure Henry's contribution in miles, though sadly not the intelligence, subtlety or, for us, the joy involved in them.