Wenger’s Five
Thierry Henry vs Real Madrid, 2006
He’s Arsenal’s all-time top-scorer with 175 goals, so it’s hardly a surprise when his name pops up twice on this list. He got the ball on the edge of the Madrid half and bulldozed his way past Ronaldo, Alvaro Mejia, Guti and finally Sergio Ramos before slotting it past Iker Casillas. More than the quality of the goal, the sheer significance of scoring that goal in a high-pressure Champions League fixture at Santiago Bernabeu set it apart.
vs Liverpool, 2004
Once again, a one-man show, slightly similar to the one above saw Henry take on Didi Hamman and Jamie Carragher and rip them apart, before coolly scoring past Liverpool keeper Jerzy Dudek.
Nwankwu Kanu vs Chelsea, 1999
The Nigerian forward turned a 2-goal deficit around with a quickfire hat-trick in the FA Cup. But his third was the most special, not just in terms of its impact but also its quality. He received the ball on the left flank, glided past the outrushing Ed de Goey, who left his goal-line for an evening stroll, before curling the ball in the net from an extremely tight angle among a sea of Chelsea blue in the box. Whole of London went —‘Kanu’ believe it?
Dennis Bergkamp vs Newcastle, 2002
It was a fairly simple finish by his standards, but it was what preceded it, that helped it book its place on this list. Quick feet, but even quicker thinking saw Bergkamp produce a moment of magic as he received the ball from Robert Pires. He left the defender behind him in no man’s land with a freak flick and then followed it up with a simple finish. See it to believe it.
vs Leicester City, 1997
He started the scoring with a long-range curler, which was soon overshadowed with a goal which could be compared to training ground showboating. He brought down a long ball inside the box with a deft touch, juggled it twice in the air and put the ball past the keeper as the defenders looked on in shock.
The one wenger missed
Jack Wilshere vs Norwich City, 2013
Wilshere started the move off from deep within his own half and finished it off with a simple pass into the net 20 seconds later. In between, Arsenal showcased champagne football of the highest order, with Olivier Giroud, Santi Cazorla and Jack Wilshere involved in intricate one-touch passes and exquisite flicks. Too bad individual brilliance often tends to overshadow stunning team goals.
Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud began 2017 in stunning style, scoring a sensational scorpion kick goal (left) on the first day of the year against Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger called it “art” and “one of the top” goals of his 21-year reign as Arsenal manager. He went on to name five other Gunner goals from his era. Now a Manchester United fan picks his top-5 Red Devil goals to take ’em on.
A Red Devil Imp’s 5
Cristiano Ronaldo vs FC Porto, 2009
You’ll be forgiven for not remembering this, simply because CR7 scored plenty of such scorchers in his United career. In this one, he got the ball near the halfway line, took one touch to set it up and then boooom! A bullet from 40 yards out. We’ve never seen one of those at Old Trafford since the Portuguese left for Real.
Wayne Rooney vs Manchester City, 2009
Rooney found space between two defenders in the box and superbly connected with Nani’s cross from the right with his shin, which led to many calling it a fluke. But who cares? The execution might not have been to the point, but an outrageous over-head kick against United’s fiercest rival... we’ve all watched it on loop.
David Beckham vs AFC Wimbledon, 1996
Beckham, a 21-year-old at the time, saw Wimbledon keeper Neil Sullivan off his line and did the unthinkable. He let fly from the halfway line and the keeper watched the ball sail into the net over his head. It was the goal which signalled the arrival of English football’s blue-eyed boy. “It changed my life....” said Beckham years later.
Robin Van Persie vs Aston Villa, 2013
Wayne Rooney delivered a pin-point cross-field ball to find his Dutch strike-partner. RVP wasted no time and volleyed it home with his left foot from the edge of the area. Swift, direct and clinical. The goal embodied United’s style of play under Sir Alex and was the perfect retirement gift in his last season in charge.
Ryan Giggs vs Arsenal, 1999
Patrick Viera surrendered the ball in the United half to Ryan Giggs, who had only one thing in mind. Playing with a man short, he made a darting run and danced past four Arsenal shirts before smashing the ball into the roof of the net. The goal had bigger implications, as it famously spurred the Red Devils to their treble win.
