Arsene Wenger says that Olivier Giroud’s ‘scorpion kick’ strike against Crystal Palace is among the top five Arsenal goals he has witnessed as Arsenal manager.
French forward Giroud netted an early contender for goal of the season in Sunday’s Premier League encounter at the Emirates Stadium, with both Wenger and Palace manager Sam Allardyce lauding the stupendous effort from the 30-year-old.
Wenger marked 20 years as Arsenal boss in October and has seen hundreds of goals from the likes of Thierry Henry and Dennis Bergkamp during his tenure, but says Giroud’s wondergoal makes it into his top five.
“You cannot work that in training because it was just a reflex”, said Wenger.
“He transformed that goal into art.
“It was a surprise because of the beauty of the movement and the efficiency.
“That will be remembered as the Giroud goal that no-one will forget.
“He brings the unexpected and you come to football to get the unexpected.
“People come to the games to see these kind of goals.
“I’ve been spoilt in my career because I’ve had many great players and strikers.
“That is certainly in the top five. Bergkamp at Leicester, Newcastle, Henry against Real Madrid, Liverpool. Kanu against Chelsea.”
Arsenal are now nine points behind Chelsea in the Premier League ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Bournemouth and it’s expected that Mesut Ozil will recover from illness in time for the match at Dean Court.
Theo Walcott also missed out against Palace at is another player who will require a late fitness test before Wenger makes a final decision on whether he’s in the squad or not.