- Arsenal match winner Thierry Henry was grateful to Sunderland fans for their welcome on Saturday.
The Frenchman, who returns to the New York Red Bulls immediately after Arsenal's Champions League tie in Milan on Wednesday, had begun on the bench but soon found himself the subject of generous serenades from home supporters when he warmed up and, later, replaced the well-shackled Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
"It was an amazing feeling," said Henry who connected with Andrey Arshavin's whipped-in, lobbed cross before finishing adroitly from close range. "It's always been a pleasure to come to Sunderland. I've always found this a very special place to play football and, when I was warming up, the fans near me started clapping.
"The atmosphere was fantastic and, with it being my last Premier League game, to score in the 90th minute was so special, something really magical. Andrey's cross was amazing, all I had to do was get a touch. It was so emotional."
- Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger can sense the confidence returning after getting back into the top four this week.
With the season moving towards its final straight, Wenger says his team are perfectly positioned for a strong finish.
"It is fantastic for us to come back into a decent position in the table," he said.
"Not many teams would have won [against Sunderland] against a side who are doing very well.
"It is a massive lift for us because a few weeks ago nobody believed we could turn it around and we have done it. It can change very quickly but it is better to be in this position than not."
- Arsenal legend Thierry Henry hopes to produce something special at AC Milan.
Henry scored the winner against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, but admits it is simply in his nature to always want more from himself.
“You can always do more,” he said. “I was in the dressing room thinking I missed a chance against Aston Villa when I came on and should have put the ball in the back of the net.
“But if you had asked me if I would rather have scored against Villa or this one against Sunderland, I think I would have chosen this opportunity against Sunderland. You can always do better, that is always what I tell myself.
“We will see after the last game against Milan how it was for me.”
- Thierry Henry admits his return to Arsenal has been a surreal experience.
He realises he may not really appreciate this six-week sojourn until after he is back in the MLS, where he is targeting the League's major prize.
“I was on holiday in Mexico chilling and then [after training with the Club] the boss asked me if I wanted to come back. Everything happened so fast.
“I will go after the Milan game. I will look back on it afterwards and see what happened. It has all been kind of unreal.”
- Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny says victory at Sunderland is ideal preparation for their Champions League date at AC Milan tomorrow night.
Koscielny believes that Thierry Henry's injury-time winner at the Stadium of Light has helped build momentum during a defining week of the season.
"It was very important. We lost three games, then beat Blackburn at home and we came here to win," he said.
"We played very well. We conceded a strange goal but that's life and we came back and won. That's a good boost for the team and it's better for the games ahead against Milan and Sunderland in the FA Cup.
"Everyone is very happy for Thierry, because he's a good player. The best players can change a game."
- Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey credits a team meeting last week for their comeback at Sunderland.
A team discussion in midweek was the catalyst for the comeback, according to Ramsey, who believes Arsenal’s spirit will take them far.
“We had a meeting last week about doing well for the rest of the season and one of the points that came to us was to never give up in the game,” he said. “That was the case against Sunderland, and we showed it against Aston Villa too.
“We have good team spirit here and belief that we can still win the game. It was nice for me to get on the scoresheet as well as Thierry getting the winner.
“It's been a fantastic period for him coming back to the Club he supports and has done so much for. It's a great story for him so far.
“There was a great atmosphere in the dressing room after the game and everyone was enjoying it. We were 1-0 down with just over 10 minutes to go, so it was a great win for us
- Kieran Gibbs is tipped to start for Arsenal tomorrow night at AC Milan.
Gibbs is poised to make his long-awaited return from injury in the San Siro on Wednesday night.
Per Mertesacker is likely to miss the next four weeks after damaging ankle ligaments in Saturday’s win at Sunderland.
The injury has put Gibbs - who has not played a competitive match in four months - on red-alert for Wednesday's crucial Champions League second-round first-leg clash against AC Milan.
Thomas Vermaelen had been deputising for Gibbs at left-back during the England defender’s recovery from a persistent groin injury.
But with Mertesacker out, manager Arsene Wenger is set to move Vermaelen back to his preferred central-defensive position, allowing Gibbs to step in at left-back.
- Arsenal defender Per Mertesacker fears his season could be over after breaking down at Sunderland.
The German was taken off the pitch on a stretcher with suspected ankle ligament damage and has now shown the extent of the damage after what appeared to be an innocuous injury.
He tweeted: "The foot is not good. I have to wait for the physical examination. Right now I'm living with uncertainty.
"Thanks for all your messages. Now off for scan. I fear the worst. Could miss the rest of the season."
- Jon Toral has turned pro at Arsenal.
Spain youth international Jon Toral has signed professional terms with the Club.
The Catalan-born attacking midfielder, who recently turned 17, has impressed since joining the Gunners’ academy from Barcelona last summer as a scholar.
- Arsenal striker Wellington is beginning to find form at Alcoyano.
Wellington joined the Spanish Segunda Division outfit in January after a difficult spell with Levante.
And the Brazilian is impressing, becoming a regular starter for his first real taste of senior football in Europe.
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