On the first day of the new year we were treated to a sumptuous goal from Olivier Giroud which has sparked much discussion.
One being whether the Arsenal man’s scorpion kick was better than the one Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored just a few days prior.
Another surfaced when Arsene Wenger took it upon himself to name his top five goals during his time as Arsenal manager.
However, there are a few others worth a mention and here, we look at the five best goals that didn’t make Wenger’s list.
ROBIN VAN PERSIE v CHARLTON ATHLETIC – SEPTEMBER, 2006
Before that phenomenal 2011 season, this was the goal that Arsenal fans would look to every time they wondered why Wenger continued to hold on to Robin van Persie despite his persistent injury concerns.
Alexander Hleb spread the play brilliantly with a long diagonal to Emmanuel Eboue whose cross was directed to the edge of the box.
Van Persie arrived out of nowhere like an express train and smashed in a volley with his left foot. What made it particularly spectacular was that the awkward height of the delivery meant the Dutchman had to leap while striking the ball.
JACK WILSHERE v NORWICH CITY – OCTOBER, 2013
If Wenger had to pick one goal that encapsulates his philosophy and the style of play he promotes at Arsenal, this would probably be the ideal one.
Jack Wilshere initiated the move deep inside his own half before spreading it to Kieran Gibbs who played it to Santi Cazorla. The Spaniard cut inside and a swift passing move ensued that left the Norwich City defence helpless.
A quick pass infield was returned to him by Wilshere who continued his run into the box and was found by a delightful flick from Giroud. The Englishman’s first time finished capped the sensational move.
ROBERT PIRES v ASTON VILLA – MARCH, 2002
Robert Pires was just one of the many foreigners who were quickly labelled flops in the early part of his Premier League career.
However, the Frenchman answered his critics in fine fashion over the course of his six-year stint. The 2001-02 season was when he was at his best and it was marked by his audacious finish at Villa Park.
Pires beat George Boateng to a long ball forward before making the defender look a bit silly when he left him for dead with a deft flick. He then went on to lob one of the greatest keepers of all-time in Peter Schmeichel.
THIERRY HENRY v MANCHESTER UNITED – OCTOBER, 2000
The lasting image from this goal is a statuesque Fabian Barthez left absolutely bewildered at how the ball managed to fly past him into the top corner.
When Thierry Henry received the ball on the edge of the box with his back to goal, there appeared to be no danger at all. But this was Thierry Henry and in a flash, the ball was in the back of the net.
The Frenchman flicked the ball up and volleyed it into the far corner on the turn, leaving the United defence stunned.
TONY ADAMS v EVERTON – MAY, 1998
‘Mr. Arsenal’ – that was Tony Adams through and through. This goal was arguably his finest moment at the club; the fourth and final goal against Everton that secured Arsenal’s first ever Premier League title.
With the Gunners winning possession in midfield, Adams darted forward and was played in by a ball over the top from Steve Bould. The skipper’s control was competent, his finish, emphatic. He then looked to sky as he let the iconic moment wash over him.
It was especially fulfilling for Adams after coming through a rough time in his personal life but proving to be a pillar of strength for Arsenal during the course of that successful campaign.
