Arsenal 2 Southampton 0
On September 18, 1999, Arsenal emerged 1-0 winners. This 2-0 victory, incorporating the start of Henry's second century, extends their unbeaten start to 25 league games, but it's statistical significance was not matched by a stuttering display.
But if Arsenal were incoherent, Henry provided the eloquence and excellence, speeding away from spirited Southampton for the winner which gives the Gunners, temporarily anyway, a five-point advantage over Manchester United.
The landmark strike had similarities with countless others in Henry's earlier 99. Robert Pires provided the assist on an Arsenal counter-attack, Henry outsprinted a retreating Southampton defence and Antti Niemi was unable to keep his shot out. And, like his 99th goal - against Wolves - there were suspicions of offside.
And the controversy continued in injury time as Henry added his second. Southampton were unhappy that play proceeded despite a foul on Danny Higginbotham as Pires set up first Gilberto Silva - who miskicked - and then Henry, who made no such mistake from 10 yards. No doubt Real Madrid were watching; no doubt their interest is unwelcome at Highbury.
It all revolved around Henry for Arsenal. Two more devastating bursts almost provided a second goal earlier. First, he nearly laid on a first Gunners goal for his subdued strike partner Jose Antonio Reyes, who could not connect with a cross. Then, having scythed through the Southampton defence, he placed his shot past Niemi's post.
And in between, Southampton, as they had at Old Trafford, acquitted themselves well on a pointless visit to title contenders. After Pires, Arsenal's second best performer and habitual scorer against Southampton, drew two saves in 60 seconds from Niemi, the visitors gained the upper hand until Henry's opener.
Inspired by the intelligent distribution of Anders Svensson, they hassled and harried a strangely off-key Arsenal. Acting captain Graeme le Saux added bite to the midfield and fielding six full backs hardly hindered Saints.
But Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure were unnerved by the persistence and incessant movement of Kevin Phillips and Brett Ormerod. Toure timed a last-ditch tackle well on Ormerod, though Southampton claimed a penalty as he tumbled over Jens Lehmann.
Then Svensson limped off with an injured knee sustained in outwitting Gilberto and within minutes the ruthless Henry slipped his shot past Niemi. Saints were not silenced, but could not be as clinical.
Ormerod did superbly to escape Toure but failed to find Phillips with his cross. Then, when Phillips supplied a slide-rule pass, Lehmann produced a wonderful save to turn Ormerod's shot over the bar.
Gordon Strachan gambled and brought on James Beattie and Marian Pahars. Arsene Wenger took off Reyes, but his one forward outscored Southampton's four. A double bill against Chelsea awaits for double-chasing Arsenal.
And if this is to be Strachan's finale, it was an unworthy and premature end to his spell on the south coast. He may feel this result was unjust but the Southampton support have greater grievances with former Spur Glenn Hoddle than the undefeated Arsenal and the unrivalled Henry.
