Henry and Pires keep spirit of Rome alive

Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 1

"Shame," the ultra-critical declare. "If only he could head the ball..."

As hard as anyone attempts to find weaknesses in Thierry Henry's game, that's about all the evidence they can possibly muster. Yesterday, the man who pulverised Roma in the Champions' League was at it again, terrorising Aston Villa's rearguard and unleashing a free-kick which bore an uncanny similarity to his third strike on Wednesday. The precision, just as in midweek, was remarkable; high and just inside Peter Enckelman's right-hand post.

If there was such a thing as a goalkeepers' constabulary, it would be warning all its members to beware a certain familiar Frenchman lining up a free-kick anywhere within range.

That goal – Henry's first and Arsenal's second – together with his late penalty, adding to Robert Pires' opener, was sufficient to claim victory for Arsenal just as Villa were looking capable of damaging the Gunners' title aspirations. "It was an outstanding performance in an outstanding week," declared Arsène Wenger of his striker. "That's five goals in two big games now, but he's physically strong and recovers well."

An implied warning to Arsenal's next opponents Manchester United, perhaps? Ruud van Nistelrooy or Henry, who is best? – Wenger was asked, with next Saturday's contest in mind. "You know," he replied. "No," the response came back. "My players are the best," said the manager dismissively.

Having emerged from an arid scoring period with his goal against Tottenham here a fortnight ago, the French forward went down to the well on three occasions against Roma. That was a performance to enhance his claims for the European Footballer of the Year award, but also to encourage increased interest from clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, who covet his talent.

Yet, for all Henry's endeavours and some devilish contributions from Pires, slowly regaining peak fitness, Wenger's men were not entirely convincing, although when you are four points clear at the top of the Premiership and among the Champions' League favourites, it would be churlish to find much fault.

That said, after Thomas Hitzlsperger's second-half goal had brought the score back to 2-1, Arsenal looked vulnerable to the assault of Dion Dublin and Darius Vassell. Wenger astutely brought on a third combative centre-back in Martin Keown, which helped quell the threat. Henry's late penalty eased concerns completely.

Sol Campbell, who can react at times with the acceleration of a Porsche, but on occasions possesses the turning circle of an articulated lorry when confronted by a pacy striker like Vassell, was never comfortable. In the first half, particularly, he also looked susceptible to the aerial threat of Dublin.

The portents had not been kind to Graham Taylor's men. No victories and one goal in seven away games was a wretched record before the game, never mind that the manager would have been heartened by a sequence of six games undefeated. Early on they looked incisive going forward and resolute in retreat.

Vassell went down in the area under challenge from Campbell, but referee Graham Barber was unmoved. Then, when Vassell eluded his England colleague just inside the area, it took a fine save from Rami Shaaban, replacing the injured David Seaman, to deny him.

It was a promising start for Villa but, as Taylor later accepted, you spurn opportunities at your peril against the champions. After 17 minutes, Arsenal's only opening had been a venomous drive from Kolo Touré, turned away athletically by Enckelman. Then Gilberto Silva's ball fortuitously found Dennis Bergkamp and, with one of those sumptuously-weighted passes that characterises the Dutchman's game, he found Pires dashing through the middle to steer the ball confidently through Enckelman's legs as he advanced to reduce the angle.

It was the incentive Arsenal required to move up a gear. The Villa goalkeeper had to be alert to thwart Touré by diving at his feet and would surely have had no chance if Pires, directly in front of goal, had struck Henry's pass cleanly. Instead he miskicked grotesquely. Even Footballers of the Year can sometimes appear like mortals. Then an extraordinary decision from a referee's assistant denied Arsenal a second as the Londoners continued to examine a rearguard which was constantly caught flat. Touré netted after Henry had burst clear and struck a post and, although the flag was raised, a television replay confirmed that the "scorer" was well onside.

Another glorious move saw Pires set up Bergkamp, but the striker scuffed wide when ideally placed. However, Villa could point to a headed chance wasted by Oyvind Leonhardsen and a near miss by Dublin as evidence that they were still in contention.

At the interval, Lee Hendrie was replaced by the Ecuadorean, Ulises de la Cruz, who enlivened the visitors' midfield. But three minutes after the break, Henry made an already daunting task virtually impossible for Villa. Having found his free-kick range against Roma, he inflicted the same punishment on Taylor's side. He had won the kick when Hitzlsperger brought him down and, after Pires had provided a decoy run by striding up then stepping over the ball, Henry curled the ball just inside Enckelman's near post.

Villa have an obdurate spirit about them these days, though, and just after the hour their most productive period was rewarded when Hitzlsperger unleashed a terrific shot across goal which offered Shaaban no chance.

Arsenal looked edgy, so there was relief for them when, with 10 minutes left, Steve Staunton was adjudged to have felled substitute Freddie Ljungberg in the area. Henry had missed his last three spot-kicks but was the master of audacity as he casually ran up and chipped the ball low into Enckelman's net.

In the closing minutes, the Frenchman was cautioned – one of five players on the afternoon – for "scoring" another after being pulled up for offside. The player was clearly intent on another hat-trick. In fact, deep into added time, he might have managed it, only to head straight at Enckelman.

But then that's the trouble with Henry. Just can't head the ball.

Arsenal 3 Aston Villa 1
Pires 17, Henry 49, pen 82; Hitzlsperger 64

Half-time: 1-0 Attendance: 38,090