Saturday 26 November 2011

Wenger's Half Century: 50 Great Arsenal Strikes

With a recent resurgence in form, many pundits are asking if Arsene Wenger;s doubters were wrong. Has the Frenchman found the formula to keep his side competing with the very best? With that in mind, it's time to take a look at a half-century of great Gunners goals since Wenger's arrival at the club in 1996...


50) Kanu Vs. Deportivo La Coruna (2000)

A clever finish here from Nigerian Nwankwo Kanu in this 2000 UEFA Cup clash, showing clever feet to trick fellow African, Deportivo goalkeeper Jacques Songo.




49) Robert Pires Vs. Liverpool (2003)

A stunning curled finish from French winger Robert Pires here at Anfield as the Gunners came from behind to seal victory during their unbeaten season.




48) Sylvain Wiltord Vs. Manchester United (2002)

Not so much a great goal in terms of quality, but one that will hold deep sentimental meaning to many Arsenal fans after Wiltord's goal sealed the Premier League title in their fierce rival's very own back yard.




47) Marc Overmars Vs. Manchester United (1998)

Equally important to Arsenal's title charge was this Marc Overmars goal in 1998. The Dutchman, who had terrorised Gary Neville all game, finally put this effort away to see the title pendulum swing in Arsenal's favour. They never looked back and went on to seal a Premiership and FA Cup double.




46) Emmanuel Adebayor Vs. Vilarreal (2009)

After going a goal down to a Marcos Senna stunner, an away goal would have been a crucial factor to take back to the Emirates. Cue Emmanuel Adebayor and a superb overhead finish from captain Cesc Fabregas' lofted pass.




45) Cesc Fabregas Vs. AC Milan (2008)

With the scores locked at 0-0 and this 2008 Champions League clash at the tie headed for extra-time, a moment of inspiration was needed. Step forward Cesc Fabregas whose rasping shot secured an away goal for Arsenal and effectively sealed an historic victory at the San Siro.




44) Thierry Henry Vs. Liverpool (2007)

In an FA Cup tie of stunning goals, it was Thierry Henry who had the final say with this clever run and finish, demonstrating how no other player could match him for raw pace and acceleration.




43) Emmanuel Adebayor Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (2007)

Arguarbly the greatest goal in North London derbies over recent years, here we see Togolese striker Adebayor flicking up Cesc Fabregas' pass and hammering the ball past Paul Robinson with a spinning volley.




42) Ashley Cole Vs. Aston Villa (2005)

Just days after his "tapping up" row with Chelsea, former Gunners left-back demonstrated his commitment to the club (in the short term at least) with this fantastic team move at Villa Park. Watch out for Dennis Bergkamp's perfectly weighted assist.




41) Thierry Henry Vs. West Ham United (2002)

A goal similiar to Adebayor's at White Hart Lane, here we see club legend Thierry Henry flicking up a neat pass before turning past the defender and hammering home past the helpless David James as the Gunners salvaged a 2-2 draw at West Ham to keep their unbeaten run going.




40) Carlos Vela Vs. Sheffield United (2008)

When Arsenal's Carling Cup youngsters demolished Sheffield United 6-0 in this home tie, critics were falling over themselves with superlatives to describe Wenger's latest crop of talent. The pick of the bunch this cheeky chip from Mexican Carlos Vela.




39) Tomas Rosicky Vs. Liverpool (2007)

A superb team move now as Tomas Rosicky curls a superb effort past Jerzy Dudek in this FA Cup tie at Anfield in 2007 following some neat work with Aleksandr Hleb.




38) Emmanuel Adebayor Vs. Liverpool (2008)

Liverpool were again the victims of a fantastic Arsenal move here as Theo Walcott's dazzling run set up Adebayor for a goal, that at the time, sealed the club's path to the Semi-Finals of the Champions League.




37) Thierry Henry Vs. Chelsea (2003)

With a Zinedine Zidane-esque roulette spin here past Chelsea goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini, who else could pull this sort of goal other than French maverick Thierry Henry?




36) Robert Pires Vs. Southampton (2003)

With both sides set to meet in the 2003 FA Cup Final just a matter of days later, Arsenal and Southampton met here at Highbury in the final home game of the 2002/03 season. This 40 yard chip is a real bobby dazzler from Bobi Pires.




35) Silvinho Vs. Chelsea (2000)

2-0 down with ten minutes to play at Stamford Bridge, Arsenal managed to rescue a draw in this one, the equalizer courtesy of a stoppage time screamer from Brazilian left-back Silvinho.




34) Patrick Vieira Vs. Newcastle United (1998)

Charging forward in their title pursuit, Patrick Vieira goes charging forward here too as he nets a belter at home to Newcastle at the tail-end of the 1997/98 season.




33) Jose Antonio Reyes Vs. Chelsea (2004)

With Thierry Henry out injured, Arsenal had fallen behind to an Adrian Mutu goal in this tie, and their FA Cup future was looking gloomy. With no out-and-out goalscorer on the field, step up new signing Jose Antonio Reyes, who in only his 2nd game for the club, smashed home from 25 yards before adding a second minutes later to seal victory.



32) Patrick Vieira Vs. Manchester United (1997)

It's that man Vieira again with yet another cracker at Highbury. This time a swinging strike past Peter Schmeichel in the Manchester United goal here in Autumn 1997.




31) Thierry Henry Vs. Manchester United (2004)

And the wonder strikes against United just kept on coming as yet another Frenchman smashed a superb effort past them here at Highbury. This time in 2004 as Thierry Henry drives home a swerving effort past Roy Carroll.




30) Andrey Arshavin Vs. Liverpool (2009)

In a game where the little Russian scored an incredible FOUR goals at Anfield, it's his strike from 25 yard that really caught the attention of Arsenal fans, lofting the ball past Pepe Reina with no backlift.




29) Thierry Henry Vs. Blackburn Rovers (2007)

Picking up the ball in his own half, Henry exhanges passes here with Cesc Fabregas before embarking on a mazy touchline run before cutting inside and curling a breath-taking shot past the helpless Brad Friedel.




28) Robin van Persie Vs. Liverpool (2008)

A true moment of magic now from Dutchman Robin van Persie as he control an aerial pass with one touch, turning his marker, before slamming home at home to Liverpool in late 2008.




27) Davor Suker Vs. Sunderland (1999)

During an ill-fated solitary season at Highbury, Croatian goal machine showed flashes of brilliance. None more so than here against Sunderland with a neat flick over Thomas Sorensen in the Black Cats' goal.




26) Nigel Winterburn Vs. Chelsea (1997)

It would seem Silvinho isn't the only Arsenal left-back capable of a last minute cracker at Stamford Bridge! Check out this Nigel Winterburn effort as the Englishman bounds forward before crashing a thunderbolt into the top corner!




25) Kanu Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (1999)

Strength, technique, finesse. This goal has it all as Kanu flicks the ball past his marker before slamming home in this North London derby.




24) Thierry Henry Vs. Charlton Atheltic (2004)

Showing that he isn't all about agility and technique here, Thierry Henry shows incredible strength to hold off Jonathan Fortune before backheeling the ball home for a very cheeky finish indeed.




23) Ray Parlour Vs. Chelsea (2002)

In the 2002 FA Cup Final with Arsenal chasing a uniqie domestic double, something special was needed to break the deadlock. Up stepped Ray Parlour with a fantastic 25 yard curler.




22) Samir Nasri Vs. Manchester United (2008)

In a team move reminiscent of anything Barcelona based, Samir Nasri slams home this effort against Manchester United in a 2-1 victory back in 2008.




21) Andrey Arshavin Vs. Manchester United (2009)

And it's Manchester United who were again on the wrong end of an Arsenal thunderbolt here as Andrey Arshavin bangs a superbly drilled effort past Ben Foster from long range.




20) Andrey Arshavin Vs. Blackburn Rovers (2009)

And Arshavin again shows here just why he's Arsenal's all-time record signing at £15m with a unique individual goal and stunning finish from a tight angle at home to Blackburn in the 2008/09 Premiership.




19) Tomas Rosicky Vs. Hamburg (2006)

A summer signing from Borussia Dortmund, Tomas Rosicky obviously enjoyed his return to Germany in this fixture back in 2006, smashing home a rasping effort in this Champions League clash.




18) Frederik Ljungberg Vs. Juventus (2001)

Though Ljungberg must be credited for the neatly chipped finish over Gigi Buffon in this goal, it is the build-up play of Dutch master Dennis Bergkamp that must really be admired, rolling the ball around on the edge of the Juventus box before waiting for his Swedish compatriot to arrive, and slipping through the most perfect of through balls into the midfielder's path.



17) Kanu Vs. Chelsea (1999)

2-0 down with only 20 minutes to play? No worries, cue a Kanu hat-trick. The third of his goals here, a unique effort from a truly impossible angle!




16) Thierry Henry Vs. Inter Milan (2003)

Completing a hat-trick against Inter here in a must-win Champions League game back in 2003, Thierry Henry outpaces Javier Zanetti not once, but twice here, before drilling home. Arsenal went on to record an historic 5-1 victory.




15) Thierry Henry Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (2002)

And Henry's back again at number 15. A solo dribble and finish that won him the ITV goal of the season award as Wenger's men brushed aside their local rivals 3-0.




14) Kanu Vs. Middlesbrough (1999)

Impressed with the Henry backheel against Charlton? That's nothing compared to this backheeled volley from Kanu against Middlesbrough back in 1999.




13) Thierry Henry Vs. Liverpool (2004)

Just days after FA Cup and Champions League elimination, Arsenal's title charge was in danger of being de-railed here, trailing 2-1 to Liverpool at half-time. That was untill this Thierry Henry special! Wenger's men went on to finish the season unbeaten and claim the league title for the 2nd time in 3 years.




12) Thierry Henry Vs. Sparta Prague (2005)

When Thierry Henry imagined the day he'd overtake Ian Wright as the club's all-time top goalscorer, he himself admitted it he didn't imagine it coming in these circumstances. Coming on as a sub for the injured Jose Antonio Reyes, Henry controlled a lofted pass, and using the outside of his right foot, flicked a truly remarkable effort into the far corner from outside the box.




11) Patrick Vieira Vs. Tottenham Hotspur (2004)

On a day when Arsenal clinched the 2004 title in their neighbour's own stadium, this superb counter-attacking move was testiment to the Gunners fast, direct, and attacking football from that entire season.





10) Dennis Bergkamp Vs. Bayer Leverkusen (2002)

In at number ten is a world-class drag back and chip from Dennis Bergkamp at home to Bayer Leverkusen. It's not to be the last time he'll feature in this countdown.




9) Thierry Henry Vs. Real Madrid (2006)

When Wenger's injury ravenged side visited the Bernabeu in early 2006, few (including myself) had any hope of the Londoners pulling off a result.
After all, could a makeshift defence of Eboue, Toure, Senderos and Flamini really cope with the losses of regulars Lauren, Sol Campbell and Ashley Cole, and cope with a Galacticos side featuring the likes of Beckham, Zidane, Roberto Carlos, Raul and Ronaldo?
90 minutes later, and the dominant Gunners were taking a 1-0 lead back home thanks to his wonderous solo effort from talismanic skipper Henry.




8) Robert Pires Vs. Aston Villa (2002)

After flicking the ball over George Boateng's head, supporters and neutrals alike were on their feet applauding the technique of Robert Pires. What he did next left viewers speechless as he flicked a deft lob over legendary Dane Peter Schmeichel to the amazement of Villa and Arsenal fans alike.




7) Samir Nasri Vs. Porto (2010)

Picking up the ball on the right-hand side, nobody could have predicted what French playmaker Samir Nasri was to do next, dribbling his way through a tight Porto defence with fast feet and trickery, before smashing home a goal that will stick in the mind of Gooners for years to come.




6) Dennis Bergkamp Vs. Leicester City (1997)

In at number six is a goal boss Arsene Wenger labelled as "technically perfect."
Controlling the ball with one touch, Bergkamp slammed it past his marker with his second, and smashed the ball home with his third to finish a truly world class hat-trick.




5) Eduardo Vs. Burnley (2009)

If a professional footballer has ever demonstrated better technique on a football field, I'm yet to see it as Eduardo flicks home a delightful volley with his ankle (yes, ankle!) here in an FA Cup tie against Burnley.




4) Robin van Persie Vs. Charlton Atheltic (2006)

Described by Wenger as "the best goal I have ever seen", Robin van Persie's acrobatic volley at The Valley in Autumn 2006 had pundits drooling as this seemingly impossible finish rocketed into the roof of the net.




3) Thierry Henry Vs. Manchester United (2000)

One touch, flick. Two touch, volley. Third touch, there is none! An absolutely superb piece of think-fast brilliance from Thierry Henry here as the club legend and all-time top scorer secures a home victory against Manchester United with a spinning volley past fellow countryman Fabien Barthez.




2) Tony Adams Vs. Everton (1998)

"And that... sums it all up!!" The words of commentator Martin Tyler will echo around the minds of Arsenal fans for eternity as club skipper, hero, icon, and Mr. Arsenal himself, Tony Adams slammed home the fouth and final goal of a 4-0 mauling of Everton, the victory that sealed Arsene Wenger's first ever trophy in England and Arsenal's first ever Premiership title. The goal was made all the more sentimental by the assist from Adam's fellow defender and "classic Arsenal back four" team-mate, Steve Bould.




1) Dennis Bergkamp Vs. Newcastle United (2002)

But the greatest, of all goals. By perhaps any footballer to ever wear the proud red of Arsenal. Comes at St. James' Park in 2002 as Dennis Bergkamp controls a Robert Pires pass with one deft touch, flicking the ball one side of his marker, before collecting it the other side of the bemused centre-back, and slotting home.

This goal is, quite simply, perfect. And sums up all the class and elegance Wenger's men have demonstrated in their play over the past 15 years.

Enjoy!




That's all for today folks, but if you can think of any other blogs, goals I've missed out, or countdowns you'd like to see me do, feel free to drop me a message!

Untill next blog, that's full-time! ;)
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