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VIEW MATCH REPORT

Monday 8 May 2006
Arsenal 4 Wigan 2
A Tierry Henry hat-trick rounds off the Gunner's Highbury era, and maybe his Arsenal career?

Thierry Henry scored a hat-trick as Arsenal said goodbye to Highbury with a 4-2 win over Wigan which also guaranteed a place in the Champions League next season.

Henry, linked with a post-season move to Barcelona, fired home the ninth treble of his Gunners' career as Arsenal geared up for this season's Champions League final against the Spanish giants on May 17 in spectacular style.

Manager Arsene Wenger was delighted at the way in which his side brought down the curtain on the club's 93-year stay at Highbury.

"For the history of the club and for the history of this building here, to finish on a high I am very proud," the Frenchman told reporters.

Henry, who finished the season as the Premiership's top scorer with 27 goals, added: "No-one now can say we didn't deserve it. We are fourth and we are going to play the final of the Champions League.

"At the end of 38 games the table does not lie."

When Henry completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot he fell to the floor and kissed the turf. "It was a kiss goodbye to the stadium," he said, refusing to comment on the Barcelona speculation.

As Wenger spoke, out on the pitch Arsenal fans remained behind for a 90-minute party that included music and a parade of former Gunners' heroes, including Ian Wright and another successful manager, George Graham.

Bob Wilson and Charlie George, stars of the 1971 side that won the league and FA Cup, made an appearance as Roger Daltrey, lead singer of The Who and one of Arsenal's many celebrity fans, sung a specially composed song about the history of the old stadium.

Arsenal's victory, coupled with a defeat for Tottenham against West Ham, saw the Gunners snatch fourth spot and with it the final qualification place in next season's Champions League at the expense of their north London rivals.

This was the last match at Highbury before the stadium is redeveloped as luxury flats and Arsenal take up residence at a new 60,000-capacity venue in nearby Ashburton Grove.

Wigan had the historic game's first chance with midfielder David Thompson shooting over from outside the box in the third minute.

After Henry had a shot blocked, Arsenal opened the scoring in the eighth minute.

Fellow France international Robert Pires, finding himself free in the box, fired home a close-range shot after his first effort was saved by Wigan goalkeeper Mike Pollitt.

The crowd at a ground often derided as the 'Highbury library' by visiting fans responded by turning up the volume in honour of Arsenal greats, past and present.

The music died temporarily, however, as Wigan interrupted the party with a tenth-minute equalizer.

The Lancashire side, looking to end on a high during their first season in the top flight, had defender Paul Scharner to thank for latching on to a free-kick whipped into the penalty area by Thompson.

Looking to regain the ascendency, Arsenal drove forward, but Pires failed to score his and Arsenal's second after being set free by Ashley Cole mid-way through the first half.

Wigan then took a shock lead in the 33rd minute, Thompson driving home a direct free-kick from about 30 yards. The ball deceived Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, bouncing over the German international.

But the crowd only had to wait two minutes again for the equalizer, Henry slotting the ball past Pollitt after running on to a through ball as Wigan's defenders looked to play him offside.

Wigan began the second half in similar bright fashion, with Lee McCulloch and Henri Camara going close.

But Arsenal fought back and with an hour almost played, Henry intercepted a misplaced back pass by Thompson, rounded Pollitt and nudged the ball into the empty net.

With a little over 15 minutes remaining, Wigan sent on Andreas Johansson and Arsenal gave a run-out to Freddie Ljungberg.

What followed was extraordinary, as Johansson immediately brought down the Swede in the box. Johansson was red-carded and Henry scored his hat-trick from the resulting penalty.

The biggest cheer was saved until last, however, as Dennis Bergkamp came on for his last ever Arsenal league match before retirement -- a substitution that coincided with news that West Ham had taken the lead against Spurs.