THIERRY HENRY is the player that not even Roman Abramovich's millions could buy. But yesterday, Henry's injurytime winner threw Chelsea a priceless lifeline in the title race.
The Arsenal striker did virtually nothing all game and yet, in the third minute of stoppage time, he produced a brilliant header to seal a remarkable late fightback which keeps the Premiership alive as a contest.
Chelsea owner Abramovich had a #50million offer for Henry turned down by Arsenal two years ago, and they ended up settling for Andriy Shevchenko.
But while the Ukrainian is struggling to justify his #30.9m price tag, Henry's late intervention into the title race was invaluable.
United were cruising to victory after Wayne Rooney ended his drought with his first goal for 690 minutes, a 53rdminute header which appeared to have put Sir Alex Ferguson's men into a nine-point lead at the top of the table.
But the passions between these sides meant that Arsenal refused to give up.
It was substitute Robin van Persie who turned the game with his 83rd-minute leveller, but even then the match was petering out with both teams seemingly happy to play out a draw.
Henry refused to settle for second best and his wonderful late header brought the Emirates Stadium to life deep into injury time.
In truth, the clash of the titans never lived up to its pre-match billing with the game only threatening occasionally to spark in a tense and scrappy first half.
But it ignited when van Persie stepped off the bench in the 67th minute as Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger threw everything at United.
It paid off with great dividend as, once again, Arsenal showed they are a force to be reckoned with - even if their horrible inconsistencies this season have left them too far behind in the title race.
Arsenal triumphed at Old Trafford in September and that should have paved the way for an assault on the title.
Yet that never happened and the north Londoners have instead been left as interested bystanders.
The Gunners probably had the best chance of a very forgettable first half and that came in the 33rd minute when Cesc Fabregas fed Emmanuel Adebayor and his cross found Henry at the back post. Frustratingly, Henry headed straight at United keeper Edwin Van der Sar. But otherwise the visitors looked in control. Cristiano Ronaldo and Rooney took it in turns to torment Arsenal right-back Emmanuel Eboue, United looked strong in defence with Nemanja Vidic outstanding and Patrice Evra dangerous going forward.
United did not threaten, though, until Rooney saw a 45th-minute long-range shot saved by Jens Lehmann and then the Arsenal keeper pulled off an even better stop from Henrik Larsson's header.
But the breakthrough came when Rooney ended his lean spell. Ronaldo passed to Evra, who broke down the left and put over a great cross which Arsenal defender Kolo Toure unwittingly flicked on to Rooney at the back post. The England striker dived in and scored with what was his first ever headed goal for United since his #25m move from Everton two-and-a-half years ago.
Wenger responded by bringing on van Persie and Julio Baptista as the Gunners finished with four forwards on the pitch.
United had looked solid but they crumbled in the 83rd minute when Tomas Rosicky's right-wing cross was flicked on by Henry and van Persie slid in at the back post to send a shot into the roof of the net.
It would have been enough for most teams but Arsenal's growing belief spurred them on and Rosicky exchanged passes with Eboue, who put over a right-wing cross which Henry headed past Van der Sar.
Henry's goal sparked wild celebrations as Arsenal had a big say in the title race even if victory has come too late for them.
ARSENAL: Lehmann 7, Eboue 6 (Hoyte, 90), Toure 7, Senderos 6, Clichy 7, Hleb 5 (Van Persie, 67, 7), Fabregas 7, Flamini 7 (Baptista, 80), Rosicky 7, Adebayor 7, Henry 6.
MANCHESTER UNITED: Van der Sar 6, Neville 7, Ferdinand 7, Vidic 8, Evra 8, Ronaldo 6 (Heinze, 89), Carrick 7, Scholes 7, Rooney 7, Giggs 6, Larsson 6 (Saha, 81).
ATTENDANCE: 60,128
MAN OF THE MATCH: Evra