I almost became a Manchester United fan.
Till 2003, the only football I watched on TV was during World
Cups and Euros. Club football wasn’t a fad in school back then. I heard a few
friends discuss Manchester United and a certain David Beckham. They lavished
praise on his crosses and freekicks. I decided to find out for myself and tuned
in to ESPN over the weekend.
And I saw Henry score for Arsenal.
It was a goal elegant in its simplicity. A teammate released
the ball into space and Henry raced past the fullback on the left. Shoulder to
shoulder one instant, blistering pace saw Henry get to the ball two
paces before his rival. He didn’t pause to control the ball or look up at where
the goal was. One touch was all it took.
Effortlessly he curled the ball around
the advancing goalkeeper. The ball lay spinning just inside the far bottom
corner of the net as Henry ran past the Highbury faithful, arms outstretched. I
had just witnessed a classic Henry fadeaway. Elegant in its simplicity.
I didn’t know the player or the club then. Two minutes of
rapt attention to the commentary enlightened me on both details but I cannot
remember which match it was. So many of his goals in red and white were
scored in this fashion that I cannot be entirely sure which one it was.
At that moment, I had been baptized as an Arsenal fan. One
touch with the inside of his right ankle and Henry had ensured I would be a Gooner for
life.
I almost became a Manchester United fan. But I saw Henry
score for Arsenal.
