by Tony Attwood
Olivier Giroud’s scorpion against Crystal Palace on New Year’s Day won the Puskas Award for the best goal.
Below, if I’ve put the right link up (!) you can see not just that goal, but if you stay with the video the ten greatest Giroudian goals. With a bit of luck there could be another one tonight in the match against Norwich – although perhaps that is asking too much.
One comment on the goal read, “when Olivier Giroud blurred the line between the virtually real and the gloriously tangible, he did more than set Arsenal on their way to victory over Crystal Palace. He lit up the Emirates Stadium and provided a memory for years to come.”
Giroud of course is fully expected to lead the line this evening against Norwich and Mr Wenger has suggested that having the luxury of several top quality centre forwards means that he is taking the League Cup more seriously this season than before.
Indeed it is not just at number 9 that we have a quality player, but a superb reserve team – which I think we ought to call Arsenal II from here on, since they are a far better outfit than you would associate with “Arsenal Reserves”. And that quality runs through that whole second XI: just consider the way Wilshere is playing. And don’t forget all this is happening with the usual four or five players out injured.
Of course if the FA Cup is “not a trophy” just like top four is “not a trophy” then I guess the League Cup is “Double Plus not a trophy” although that is not how the supporters of other clubs see it when they list their trophies. It is, I guess, just an Arsenal thing.
Of course there is a need to blank out that final against Birmingham in 2011; it was a thoroughly depressing day. But then every club has its disasters.
Interestingly in the list of League Cup winners, Arsenal and Norwich City who of course we play later today, are equal on two each.
Here are the details of the top ten winners of the League cup. We just make it in terms of the number of winners, and we are fifth in terms of number of appearances.
| Pos | Club | Winners | Runners-up | Total appearances |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 8 | 4 | 12 |
| 2 | Manchester United | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 3 | Aston Villa | 5 | 3 | 8 |
| 4 | Chelsea | 5 | 2 | 7 |
| 5 | Tottenham Hotspur | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| 6 | Nottingham Forest | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| 7 | Manchester City | 4 | 1 | 5 |
| 8 | Leicester City | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 9 | Arsenal | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| 10 | Norwich City | 2 | 2 | 4 |
We won it, as I am sure you know in 1987, 1993, and were beaten finalists in 1968, 1969, 1988, 2007, 2011. I never realised until today we’ve lost the final more than anyone else. Not really the best record to have.
In relation to the attack Mr Wenger said, “That’s the luxury I have at the moment and the difficulty I have as well. All these players do well, play well and they deserve to play. Fortunately, we have important games every week, so I can give competition to everybody. We have so much offensive force on the bench as well. It’s really a strong point of the club.
“I always used it [the League Cup] to give a chance to young boys. We went to the final with a very young team and nearly won it. I always focus on winning trophies in the Premier League and FA Cup domestically, and always used the League Cup as an education for our young players. But with this team I have the squad to go further.”
So although the drop from the Champions League into the Europa League was seen by (I guess) all of us as a real disappointment and a drop to a lower level, it has actually been rather good for the evolution of the total squad for it means the top players have fewer games. Ozil and Alexis have been eased back into the teams after the summer excesses, and everyone with the ability to be there is getting games virtually every week.
The only problem is who drops out to make way for Wilshere next Saturday. Mr Wenger added,
“I’ve gone into that rotation policy and afterwards you have to continue to do it, especially when both teams work well and both teams support each other.”
When asked how he celebrated his birthday after the win against Everton he said that he went home and watched Marseille against Paris St Germain.
Here are the two videos – the Scorpion that won the award and then the collation of best goals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3FsqWat_zM
Thank you Olivier – an award utterly and totally deserved and an overwhelming pleasure to have been at the game.
- Arsenal v Knor Which Sit Ee. A load of numbers and a bit of a preview
- There really is something a little odd about Everton especially when they play Arsenal.
- We won 5-2 so what did they say about it? How football commentary is being manipulated
maybe as a good omen, Norwich is the team against which Wilshere scored an amazing goal, starting with a perfect build-up and finishing it with slick passing in the box with guess who…Giroud.
Giroud does not get enough credit for all he does for Arsenal. Good to have him around, not many teams can boast 3 forwards like Giroud, Lacazette and Alexis
Congratulations to the big man, right before a World Cup year. I remember when pundits will, almost as if embarrassed, suggest Arsenal “needed a striker”, like Giroud was not one. Safe to say few will doubt his ability now, given his consistency.
Congratulations Olivier Giroud.
When they are fit and in form, I believe these Gunners of: Cech Koscielny Mertesacker Monreal Bellerin Ramsey Xhaka Kolasinac Ozil Lacazette & Sanchez are arguably now the current best and strongest Le Prof’s Premier League games regular first team starters as they have proved to be with 5 goals they scored at away in a PL match this season when they were started against Everton at Goodison Park last Sunday. But because of the importance to Arsenal collecting all points in their impending PL matches at home and away against Swansea City and Man City and to avoid any of these above 11 Gunners picking up injury, I’ll not want Le Prof to play any of them in tonight’s Arsenal Carabao Cup match against Norwich City at the Ems. More so as Le Prof has a very strong first team reservists who can play in this macth and adequately taken care of any threats Norwich City may pose in the game to Arsenal.
Mustafi and Welbeck who have initially on arrival and later after recovering from injury have broken into Le Prof’s regular first team starters but since they are now on the sideline to injuries, they can’t be reckoned with now until they have returned from injuries..
But nonetheless, Le Prof also have five other dependable 7 top quality Gunners of: Walcott Giroud Coquelin Iwobi ElNeny Holding and the returned from ankle injury Wilshere who are playing mostly for the reserve first team squad in Cup games for Arsenal and also serve the dual purpose of being on the bench as substitutes in PL games for the current 11 first team regular starters who started in our last Everton PL match.
The point I want to make is, Arsenal have a very strong 11-13 first team regular starters and a very strong 7 first team regular Cup games playing reservists with some other youth players to win the fifthruple (CS) included this season.
When they are fit and in form, I believe these Gunners of: Cech Koscielny Mertesacker Monreal Bellerin Ramsey Xhaka Kolasinac Ozil Lacazette & Sanchez are arguably now the current best and strongest Le Prof’s Premier League games regular first team starters as they have proved to be with the 5 goals they scored at away in a PL match this season when they were started against Everton at Goodison Park last Sunday. But because of the importance to Arsenal collecting all points in their impending PL matches at home and away against Swansea City and Man City and to avoid any of these above 11 Gunners picking up injury, I’ll not want Le Prof to play any of them in tonight’s Arsenal Carabao Cup match against Norwich City at the Ems. More so as Le Prof has a very strong first team reservists who can play in this macth and adequately taken care of any threats Norwich City may pose in the game to Arsenal.
Mustafi and Welbeck who have initially on arrival and later after recovering from injury have broken into Le Prof’s regular first team starters but since they are now on the sideline to injuries, they can’t be reckoned with now until they have returned from injuries..
But nonetheless, Le Prof also have other dependable 7 top quality Gunners of: Walcott Giroud Coquelin Iwobi ElNeny Holding and the returned from ankle injury Wilshere who are playing mostly for the reserve first team squad in Cup games for Arsenal and also serve the dual purpose of being on the bench as substitutes in PL games for the current 11 first team regular starters who started in our last Everton PL match.
The point I want to make is, Arsenal have a very strong 11-13 first team regular starters and a very strong 7 first team regular Cup games playing reservists with some other youth players to win the fifthruple (CS) included this season.
Sorry for my reposting again.
Congratulations Olivier!! Just as the Norwich goal from Wilshere a few years ago one of the goals I can see again even without watching a video of it. I know I sat for minutes with open mouth watching at my TV wondering if I had fallen asleep or was just dreaming.
Indeed, congratulations Olivier.
Chris
“Giroud does not get enough credit for all he does for Arsenal. Good to have him around, not many teams can boast 3 forwards like Giroud, Lacazette and Alexis”
By and large the guys at work etc. always rated him. As usual it was the press undermining him and our ever deluded fans going along with them.
Goonereris
“I remember when pundits will, almost as if embarrassed, suggest Arsenal “needed a striker”, like Giroud was not one.”
I know, truly pathetic.
This site produced stat after stat that showed Giroud has always compared favourably with his contemporaries.
I love the guy. His ability. His attitude. His beard. All top draw.
Just for fun these are my top 10 Arsenal goals under Wenger.
1) Berkhamp at Newcastle.
2) Giroud against palace.
3) Berkhamp at Leicester.
4) Wilshere against Norwich.
5) Reyes against Middlesborough in the 5-2.
6) Ramsey at Galatasary.
7) Henry against Spurs.
8) Henry against Spurs.
9) Giroud at Everton this week.
10) Kanu’s 3rd at Stamford Bridge.
These are just of the top of my head so I bet I’ve missed some corkers. Maybe I’ll end up adjusting the list if I get reminded of others I’ve forgotten.
Sorry, 7) was meant to be Henry against United at Highbury. The turn and volley.
@Nitram,
I would add Giroud at Red Star last week, an exquisite moment in a match that was about as dull as dishwater. Another goal that hardly anyone else would have attempted in that manner let alone scored.
Whilst the scorpion kick was sublime, you have to factor in his flick to Iwobi earlier in the move and his lung busting run to get onto the end of Alexis’s cross to cap off a fabulous team goal.
I’m awfully glad he didn’t decide to go to Everton this summer.
Nitram,
you forget Ramsey at Wembley in OT
Graham against Liverpool in 1970. Replicated by Lukas Podolski in Champions League a few years ago.
Giroud seems to get better with each coming season. A true Arsenal legend and an invaluable 2nd choice striker to have. There seemed to be a bit of bitterness from him towards Lacazette at the very start of the season, but thankfully he seems to have gotten over that now. I really hope that he is remembered in the same light as the rest of the Arsenal legends.
Nitram
ozil champion’s league wonder goal
Giroudian (adj.)
In association football, a goal scored with exceptional skill, flair or quality of vision, often by a player not usually prone to such feats. A world class goal or ‘worldy’, as in common use by the sports pundit Paul Judas Iscariot Merson.
Bloody hell, I knew this would happen.
Even forgot Girouds at Red Star.
Ramsey, Poldolski and of course Ozils.
Might have to have a bit of a rethink, although I cant see my top 4 changing. Well maybe the order, but not the content.
I think of so many of his goals being scored while being held, kicked , pulled back , obstructed, wrestled , punched , poked, and all under the eyes of the PIGMOB.
That my friends takes true grit and cojones.
He will be remembered as a true legend , unlike those of the past who are being paid to diss the Arsenal.
Take a bow Sir .
In the meantime , in the ‘ Wait until the eggs hatch ‘section , among next year’s early contenders is….
http://www.thestar.com.my/sport/football/2017/10/24/magic-penalty-leaves-thai-goalie-in-despair/
I note the Daily Mirror have approached the subject with their typical neutrality!!
“The 31-year-old’s effort had been shortlisted along with goals from Venezuela’s Deyna Castellanos and South African goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke (who everyone said should have one).
The Gunner added: “I tried to do the right thing at the right moment, and at that moment I thought it was the perfect gesture to score.”
It was a perfect. Perfectly a runner up in January’s goal of the month away.
But if your (beautiful) face fits…”
So according to the unbiased Daily Mirror, “everyone” said another goal should have won. But this was a public vote, so clearly “everyone” didn’t say that at all. It doesn’t get more biased than this.
What they should have been saying is what an embarrassment these so-called “experts” are at the BBC who didn’t even think OG’s goal was worthy of Goal of the Month!! Anybody who still thinks there isn’t an anti-Arsenal bias in the media after this must be blind, deaf and stupid.
I was just having a look at Arsenal player, and it reminded me that Girouds goal didn’t even win Goal of the Month on MOTD at the time.
Beaten by Andy Carol of all people.
As a footnote:
Been having a look back and as far as I can see it did win the MOTD GOTM so I’m not sure which Goal Of The Month they were talking about.
Possibly SKY Sports, but all I can find are the January 2017 nominees and not the results.
It doesn’t matter of course I just wondered how it wouldn’t top any goal of the season, goal of the decade, let alone fail to top a GOTM !
Goonermikey
“Anybody who still thinks there isn’t an anti-Arsenal bias in the media after this must be blind, deaf and stupid.”
Exactly.
But we wont get a single one of them come here and try and explain away that piece of journalistic bullshit will we?
All hail the scorpion king. Congratulations Olly.