Leeds United vs. Arsenal: Thierry Henry Scores Winner for Gunners in FA Cup

His first involvement was an offsides offense.

I feel chagrined to admit that, for a fleeting moment, I questioned if Thierry Henry, voted the greatest Gunner ever in 2008, could have an impact in tonight's FA Cup third-round match against Championship side Leeds United.

After all, Paul Scholes, another aging star, had enjoyed a less-than-glorious return for Manchester United on Sunday, conceding possession in the instance that led to Manchester City's second goal in the match (United would go on to win 3-2).

But as he proved so many times before (226 to be exact), Henry delivered for the Gunners when they needed him most.

With chances at a premium throughout the match—despite Arsenal dominating possession with some sublime bouts of passing—it was a darting run from the former French international, coupled with a sensational curling finish, that saw Arsenal through to the fourth round of the iconic English competition with a 1-0 victory at the Emirates.

The passion etched on his face was unmistakable, and wondrous to behold. You'd have to think that the new Arsenal No. 12's 12th career goal against Leeds was the most meaningful.

It was vintage stuff from Henry, and it couldn't have come at a more opportune moment.

He will only be with the club for six weeks (the duration of his loan spell), but you can't possibly discount the level of impact Henry can exert on the Gunners in the days to come. Those that may have questioned his inclusion in Arsenal's Champions League squad ahead of the two-leg Round of 16 tie with AC Milan will certainly be cowed after tonight.

The Italian giants are certainly a class above Leeds, but one feels that Henry's incisive presence tonight can scythe through any opponent.

There he was, in animated discussion with Theo Walcott in the substitutes' area (both would come on as replacements, for Marouane Chamakh and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, respectively), instructing the man who took his old No. 14. He has come back a different man than the one who left in 2007, willing to teach the new generation. A benevolent guide for the Gunners, as it were.

The contemporary Henry cuts a decidedly different figure than the one who graced Arsenal's uniform from 1999-2007 (the scraggly beard notwithstanding, his pace is not what it used to be). But as they say, class is permanent. And his quickness still looks razor-sharp when it needs to be.

That side-footed, curling finish to send the Gunners to victory was in every way a mirror image of glory days gone by. For a moment, we saw what Arsenal were once more.

Not too many things are more thoroughly fulfilling than that. Here's to six glorious weeks, with Henry leading the charge as the Gunners battle back to glory.