Thierry Henry became Arsenal's record scorer with two goals against Sparta Prague in the Champions League. Henry was called into action after a lengthy injury just 15 minutes in to replace Jose Reyes and he soon fired Arsenal ahead with a delightful effort.
Sparta could find no end product and Henry made sure of victory when played in by Robert Pires and slotting home.
It was the Frenchman's 186th goal for Arsenal and saw him surpass Ian Wright as the club's all-time leading scorer.
His goals also ensured Arsenal made light of their domestic troubles by maintaining their 100% record in Europe this season.
Arsene Wenger had hinted he may give Henry 30 minutes action, but the manager's hand was forced by Reyes sustaining bruised ribs in a clattering challenge and he instead had to give Henry 75 minutes.
Cesc Fabregas and Reyes had early efforts before Sparta began to find their feet and the hosts were threatening to turn the tide when Henry made his introduction.
After seven games on the sidelines with a groin injury it took Henry just six minutes to make his mark and put Arsenal in front.
The skipper collected a long clearance from Kolo Toure on the edge of the area with his first touch before curling an extravagant shot off the outside of his right boot beyond Jaromir Blazek.
The strike drew him level on 185 goals with Wright as Arsenal's all-time leading scorer and also set Sparta back.
Playing in a half-filled stadium, punishment for racist abuse in the crowd during Sparta's previous European home match against Ajax, they found it hard to build up a real head of steam without full-blooded support.
Toure was a commanding figure in defence and the only danger came down the right where Zdenik Pospech gave Gael Clichy some torrid moments.
But when Pospech did get a sight of goal he lacked a cutting edge to test Jens Lehmann.
And despite all Sparta's possession after the break, with Arsenal dropping deep and inviting pressure, Lehmann had to make just one telling save, pushing over a long-range effort from Karol Kisel.
Blazek was equally under-employed in the second-half, smothering a shot from Fabregas the only time he was called into action until he picked the ball out of the net on 74 minutes.
Henry collected a long pass from Pires, holding off two defenders on the edge of the area before slotting the ball home to secure the win and his position as Arsenal's record goalscorer.
Sparta Prague: Blazek, Pergl (Matusovic 70), Petrous, Lukas, Kadlec, Petras, Pospech, Zelenka, Kisel, Polacek, Slepicka (Dosek 77).
Subs Not Used: Bicik, Hasek, Herzan, Loucka, Jeslinek.
Booked: Lukas.
Arsenal: Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Cygan, Clichy, Fabregas (Owusu-Abeyie 89), Flamini, Silva, Pires, Van Persie (Eboue 73), Reyes (Henry 15).
Subs Not Used: Almunia, Song Billong, Senderos, Larsson.
Booked: Van Persie, Clichy.
Goals: Henry 21, 74.
Att: 12,528
Ref: Wolfgang Stark (Germany).
MMIX
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In Thierry Henry, I really believe I'm watching the most special player of our generation
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