Henry the inspiration as patience pays off for Gunners

Arsenal 1 PSV Eindhoven 0

Arsenal had endured frustration for much of the first half at Highbury, with Henry twice being denied by keeper Edwin Zoetebier.

However, they bided their time until four minutes before the break, when Henry burst to the byline and his cutback was put into his own net by Brazilian defender Alex.

Arsenal’s main threat came from Reyes, whose presence had forced Robert Pires out onto the right flank, as he cut inside dangerously onto Thierry Henry’s pass only for his shot to be deflected just wide.

Henry himself then also tested out the strength of the side-netting with a snap-shot, but otherwise Arsenal were held at bay.

Midfielder Phillip Cocu was deployed to keep a close eye on former Dutch international team-mate Dennis Bergkamp whenever he dropped deeper, thereby stifling Arsenal’s main creative source.

It was left to Ashley Cole to attempt to provide some attacking impetus and a dangerous low cross from the England full-back was flicked just wide by Pires.

When Gilberto was carried off for treatment after a hefty challenge from Mark van Bommel, Henry also thundered in a fierce free-kick which ‘keeper Zoetebier managed to deflect up into the air and away.

When the breakthrough finally came it was Henry who, unsurprisingly, provided the inspiration.

The Frenchman won a tussle for the ball on the left flank and, having cut inside to reach the byline, his cross was put into his own net by Brazilian defender Alex, who was under pressure from Gilberto.

PSV had secured a goalless draw in their last visit to Highbury two years ago, but were now forced to at least attempt to be more adventurous in the second half.

With no changes to their line-up, however, it was left to wide midfielders Park and Damarcus Beasley to provide better support for the isolated figure of Gerald Sibon.

There was little action at either end immediately after the restart, however, with Gilberto’s through-ball almost reaching Reyes only for Alex to intervene just in time.

The home side continued to have the edge, although Henry placed a long-range volley well wide and also sent a free-kick into the defensive wall before Gilberto headed just off-target.

Arsenal still had an escape with 13 minutes left when Vennegoor lost his marker, Pascal Cygan, and, with Lehmann unsure whether to come out, the Dutch striker struck a fierce shot just wide.

Wenger’s response was to replace Reyes with the more defensively aware figure of Edu and, although Park had a shot blocked in the final minute, the Gunners held on for a deserved, if unspectacular, victory.

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Cygan, Cole, Pires, Vieira, Silva, Reyes, Bergkamp, Henry.

PSV: Zoetebier, Ooijer, Alex, Bouma, Lee, Van Bommel, Cocu, Vogel, Park, Sibon, Beasley.

Referee: Domenico Messina (Italy).