When the Beckham-project commenced, some wondered if the talent washing up on our shores would be washed up in its own right. It wouldn’t be welcomed – nor considered successful – if we just had a bunch of European 30-somethings running around the pitch on holiday, chit-chatting about their glory days gone by.

Beckham, Robbie Keane, Freddy Ljunberg; Juan Pablo Angel, Rafael Marquez, Thierry Henry. These are some of the biggest names in MLS and, in the past decade, were also the ones making headlines in world football.

When Henry joined the New York Red Bulls with 11 games to play in the 2010 season, they were already sitting atop the Eastern Conference and in the conversation for likely MLS Cup Champions. In a city that demands success, Henry was to be the cutting-edge to see them through to the final. If you watched, it didn’t quite happen that way. Known for his breakaway speed, deft touch, and deadliest of finishes, he produced just two goals in the 12 games he played (including the playoff game, when despite being top seed they were bounced in the first round).

Whether it was common belief or personal opinion, I was quick to cast a critical eye on the striker. As probably the best player to never win the Ballon d’Or, such a lack of production was too important to go unnoticed. At times he looked downright lazy, and his shorter, slower strides fit the “washed up” bill quite well. For Henry, 2011 had to be different, better, to maintain his stock in MLS.

For the Frenchman, personally, he did find more success, netting 14 in the regular season and finishing 3^rd for league top scorer. Still, New York went from winning half of their games in 2010 to winning less than a third in 2011. They managed to squeeze through in a Wild Card Play-In game, only to again be knocked out in the first round.

Now here we are, five games into the 2012 season and he’s already put away seven, including two beautiful braces and his first MLS hat trick (cue the “Welcome Back, Kotter” theme song). Appropriately, following a season where his teams’ success failed to match his personal accolades, he stressed the importance of teamwork and a positive atmosphere. It was a classy, veteran answer – though the question was “which Red Bulls striker would you most like to partner up top?” – but one that seemed both genuine and accurate. Not only do the Red Bulls look capable of challenging for the title, but Henry is playing with the speed and deadly touch of a confident European footballer.

So what has made the difference? Look no further than the turn of the New Year. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger called for Henry to return on a two-month loan spell to the London side where he made his name and club history. His impact was key and immediate. He came on as a sub to score the winner against Leeds in the FA Cup, capped off a 7-goal rout of Blackburn weeks later, and finished his last game with Arsenal in the only appropriate fashion: a game winner in the dying embers.

Training with a top European club in the top competitions, it seems that Henry has been refocused and reinvigorated. His strides are long and quick and he seems keen to get on the ball. He is making runs and expecting the ball, a sign of a confident player in both himself and in his teammates.

All in all, his loan spell proved to be a huge success for Henry and Arsenal, but who are the real winners? The New York Red Bulls and the MLS (as well as you, and I, and anyone who gets to watch him).

If he can keep up this sort of form, two things are for sure; first is that he will smash his scoring record from 2011 – he’s already half way there – and will be named Golden Boot winner at season’s end. Second, the Red Bulls will go on to win the Eastern Conference and don’t be surprised if you see them – led by Henry – lift the MLS Cup for their first time. 

By Matthew Guinto; Red Devil, Red Bull, Ready... follow him on twitter @mattguintofooty