Henry’s Gunner stunner

THIERRY HENRY’S injury-time winner against Manchester United last night completed a remarkable weekend for the Premiership in which the title race was turned inside out, leaving almost all eventualities possible.

Every campaign has its pivotal moments, ones which Alex Ferguson has always insisted arrive in March or April when the most intense pressure is exerted on the teams involved.

But Henry’s header, in the 92nd minute at the Emirates Stadium, could well be talked about in future as the goal that shaped the 2007 championship race as early as January.

It came just 24 hours after Chelsea had lost 2-0 to Liverpool at Anfield, handing Manchester United the chance to build a nine-point gap between themselves and the reigning champions.

The fact that they failed to do so not only soothes Jose Mourinho’s miserable week, but also opens up the possibility of four teams being in contention for the championship when Easter looms.

The evidence for that eventuality comes in the shape of Liverpool’s impressive home form – they haven’t lost at Anfield in the league this season and still have the visits of Arsenal and United to look forward to.

But it is also important to take into consideration Arsenal’s resurgence that has seen them win five games in a row and score 17 goals in the process.

Such is their resilience these days that at 1-0 down to a Wayne Rooney goal, and with Arsene Wenger all but ready to concede the title to United, they constructed a thrilling finale to last night’s match in north London.

Substitute Robin Van Persie levelled and deep into injury time, with United content on claiming a point, Thierry Henry was unmarked six yards out and he made no mistake with a bullet header past Edwin Van der Sar.

“With ten minutes to go, maybe United were champions,” Wenger admitted. “But at the end of the game, you cannot say that now. It’s more open than it was before.

“It was a test of character, resilience and togetherness for us. We wanted to win right until the end of the game.

“It is the kind of game which will give us more belief and respect from other teams. We want to sustain this run and games like this against the top team, will make us stronger.”

Man Utd manager Ferguson admitted it was a lesson his side would have to learn from if they are to overhaul Chelsea this season.

“When I look at it we have some important away games to come and this will be good for us — we won’t be making the same mistake,” he said. “We lost two goals from a position I didn’t think we would.

“At this moment in time we are so disappointed. We have a game less to play and are a goal better off so it’s not all doom and gloom.’’

Whether it was nerves or an over-cautious approach, it took Arsenal time to bed in, with Henry thwarted by the no-nonsense approach of the United defence.

United were dangerous on the counter attack with Jens Lehmann stretched twice on the stroke of half time as Ferguson’s side began to take a grip on the game.

First Rooney, whose last goal came seven games ago, thought he had opened the scoring when his fierce volley from the edge of the area forced Lehman to acrobatically tip the ball onto the crossbar.

And from the resulting corner the German keeper was again Arsenal’s saviour when he superbly pushed away Larsson’s header from Giggs’ centre, after the Swedish striker found himself unmarked six yards out.

Earlier in the second half, Evra’s cross from the left was deflected by Toure, allowing the unmarked Rooney to pounce and head home a goal that looked certain to stretch United’s lead in the title race.

But then Fabregas and Rosicky wrestled possession from Scholes with seven minutes left before the Czech midfielder crossed for substitute Robin Van Persie to slide home an equaliser at the far post.

Then, in another dramatic twist, Henry popped up to throw the title race into confusion and leave neutrals with the mouth-watering prospect of a four-way bid for the championship.

Opta Fact: This was Arsenal’s 50th home league win against Manchester United.

Opta Fact: This was the first time Rooney has scored in the Premiership for United and seen his side lose.

ARSENAL: Lehmann, Eboue (Hoyte 90), Toure, Senderos, Clichy, Hleb (Van Persie 67), Fabregas, Flamini (Baptista 79), Rosicky, Adebayor, Henry.

MAN UTD: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Ronaldo (Heinze 90), Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Rooney, Larsson (Saha 81).

Referee: S Bennett (Kent).