Thierry Henry returned to the goal trail with a hat-trick as Arsenal thrashed strugglers Norwich 4-1 at Highbury.

The Frenchman had missed the Gunners' last two games with a calf injury, but was back to his clinical best as he exploited some suspect defending by the relegation-haunted visitors to pass the 30-goal mark for the season.

Freddie Ljungberg was also on target for the hosts in the second half, with Darren Huckerby's fine strike on 30 minutes the only consolation for the sorry Canaries.

The home side started brightly, with Highbury basked in sunshine, yet there was a mixed reception for full-back Ashley Cole - jeered by some sections of the home crowd, but having his name chanted at the Clock End.

There was a rare moment of alarm in the Arsenal box when a deep free-kick from Huckerby found its way through to Craig Fleming at the back post, but the defender could only manage to nod the ball goalwards, and Jens Lehmann collected comfortably.

It took a good save from Robert Green at the other end, though, to prevent Arsenal going ahead in the 15th minute.

A sublime back-heel from Henry midway inside the Norwich half sent Jose Reyes clear of the defence. He raced into the area, before placing a low shot towards the bottom-left corner, and Green got down well to deflect the ball behind.

Five minutes later, however, and the Frenchman showed his young strike partner just how it should be done.

Mathieu Flamini's flick into the box found Henry in the centre of the penalty area, where a quick shuffle gave him the space to fire the ball low into the far corner.

And before Norwich had time to mount any sort of counter-offensive, it was 2-0 in the 22nd minute.

Lauren picked out Henry on the left of the penalty area, and as Marc Edworthy backed off, the Arsenal striker simply stepped inside the Norwich full-back before dispatching a curling right-foot effort past Green.

It was all Arsenal now, with the Premiership strugglers in danger of being overwhelmed, with Green racing off his line to snatch the ball from the feet of Ljungberg.

Then, out of nothing, Norwich pulled a goal back through Huckerby on 30 minutes.

Lehmann failed to get any distance on his punch following a corner on the left, and Graham Stuart's attempted drive screwed all the way back out to Huckerby, who had taken the flag-kick.

This time, though, the forward only had one thing on his mind, and as the Arsenal defence backed off, Huckerby promptly drilled a stunning strike into the top right-hand corner.

And it was close to being all-square when Leon McKenzie released Huckerby down the left flank again, but after getting to the six-yard line, his cut-back was just behind Damien Francis, racing in at the back post.

With 10 minutes left of the first half, Flamini was replaced by Cesc Fabregas, the young midfielder looking to have picked up a thigh problem.

Arsenal almost soon extended their lead at the start of the second half when Ljungberg was released into the right side of the area, chipped the ball over Green, only for Damien Francis to clear on the goalline.

The Gunners finally did have the ball in the net again on 50 minutes.

Lauren chased a long punt down the right. Adam Drury came across to close him down, thinking the ball would run out of play. However, the Cameroon defender did not give up the chase and managed to hook the ball back from the by-line, looping it up and across goal, where Ljungberg out-jumped Craig Fleming to nod in at the far post.

Arsenal were knocking the ball around with some ease, and another flowing move ended with Reyes in space on the edge of the Norwich box. His low drive was well struck, but Green was down quickly.

When the visitors did finally manage to relieve the pressure, there was little support offered to either McKenzie or Dean Ashton.

And with 25 minutes left, it was 4-1 as Henry completed his hat-trick.

Reyes again tricked his way into the Norwich box, before slipping a pass sideways to Henry, who slid in ahead of Fleming and Green to stab the ball home.

Ljungberg then smashed a shot into the side netting as Norwich were in danger of being over-run.

In the end, though, Arsenal settled for four - and while the Canaries' fans continued to sing to the final whistle, on current form it looks unlikely they will get the chance to cheer Nigel Worthington's men on again at this famous old venue in the Premiership next season.

Teams

Arsenal Lehmann, Lauren, Toure, Cygan, Cole, Ljungberg, Flamini (Fabregas 36), Silva, Pires (Clichy 77), Henry, Reyes (Van Persie 70).

Subs Not Used: Almunia, Eboue.

Booked: Cygan.

Goals: Henry 19, 22, Ljungberg 50, Henry 66.

Norwich Green, Edworthy (Helveg 73), Fleming, Shackell, Drury, Stuart, Holt (Safri 59), Francis, Huckerby, Ashton, McKenzie (Svensson 71).

Subs Not Used: Ward, Doherty.

Goals: Huckerby 30.

Att: 38,066

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).