Arsenal’s 5 best moments of the season so far
Arsenal’s Champions League campaign may be a smouldering pile of ash but domestically this season things have been far better. Second in the Premier League, just two points off top-spot, and into the fourth round of the Capital One Cup isn’t bad at all.
We’re only in October and there’s still plenty of games to go but even at this early stage we have memories that will stay in the memory for a long, long time.
A weekend without domestic football due to the international break may seem a curse but we’ve got you covered as Alfie Owen shares his thoughts on the top five moments of Arsenal’s season so far.
If your favourite result from this campaign isn’t here then let us know what we’re missing in the comments below!
Hit Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain celebrating his goal against Chelsea to see the FIVE best moments of Arsenal’s season so far!
Beating Crystal Palace
After a humbling 2-0 defeat to West Ham United on the first game of the season, the mood in the Arsenal camp was low. Petr Cech’s debut did not go to plan as he was at fault for both the goals. However, the Gunners managed to bounce back with a hard fought 2-1 victory at Selhurst Park.
The win saw the return of Alexis Sanchez after a triumphant Copa America with Chile. A wonder goal from Olivier Giroud and a fortunate own goal off the Chilean Sanchez’ header gave the three points the Arsenal so dearly needed.
Victorious against feisty Stoke City
On a sunny day at Emirates Stadium, Theo Walcott and Olivier Giroud provided two nicely worked goals to provide a rather comfortable victory. Walcott gave the Arsenal the lead with a neat finish in the 31st minute after an inch perfect ball over the top by Mesut Özil.
Stoke City’s keeper Jack Butland was a brick wall for Stoke at some points and the Gunners could have been 4-0 up by half time was it not for the Englishman. Arsenal’s lead was finally doubled in the 85th minute after a header from the Gunners’ second choice striker Olivier Giroud.
Whilst this was not the most impressive victory from Arsenal, it provided some stability after a tricky away game at Newcastle and a difficult draw at home to Liverpool.
Mathieu Flamini at the Lane
Arsenal were drawn with north London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the 3rd round of the Capital One Cup, and it was the unlikely hero of Mathieu Flamini who came up with the goods. The two teams fielded second string players, with Costa Rican Joel Campbell perhaps the surprise name on the team sheet.
After Alex Oxlade Chamberlain’s shot was parried by Michel Vorm in the 26th minute, Flamini was there to tap it in. After this, Arsenal had most of the ball and were dominating the game, until the unfortunate Calum Chambers scored an own goal at just the wrong time. The tide turned and it looked like Spurs were going to go on to win the game.
However, when Alexis Sanchez was introduced for Joel Campbell, it gave the Gunners the energy they so desperately needed. Arsenal went on the counter and it was that man Sanchez driving the team upfield. A deflection off Federico Fazio sent the ball high into the sky and dropped perfectly for Mathieu Flamini who struck it perfectly into the bottom corner of the net to provide Arsenal with one of their goals of the season.
There was hysteria amongst the fans in the crowd, and most fans at home couldn’t quite believe it. This famous win is surely up there with the most memorable North London derby victories.
Arsenal smash 5 past unbeaten Leicester
Arsenal travelled to the King Power Stadium with Leicester being the only unbeaten team left in the league. However this proved to be an absolute pasting by Arsenal. Alexis Sanchez gave Arsenal his first hat trick for the club after a difficult start for the Chilean, and the other goals coming from in form Theo Walcott and striker Olivier Giroud.
It was a difficult start for the Gunners with Jamie Vardy giving them lead. Walcott equalised minutes later after a textbook counter attack stemming from Riyad Mahrez’ header onto the crossbar. Despite this difficult start, this proved to be a field day for Arsenal and indeed Alexis Sanchez, who provided his best game of the season so far. Olivier Giroud finished off a brilliant day for Arsene Wenger and his men with a calm finish into the bottom left hand corner.
Arsenal Blitz Manchester United
Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal put 3 past Manchester United in one of their one of the most convincing victories in the past few years. Two goals from Chilean Alexis Sanchez and one from Mesut Özil in the first 20 minutes helped Arsenal to a well fought disciplined win at the end of a pretty torrid week for the team from North London.
This was a very comprehensive victory from Arsenal, and their organised display eased the fans after their horrible night against Olympiacos.
This was by far the Gunners’ highlight of the season, considering the results in the Premier League against Manchester United in recent times, and something they can be proud of going into the international break.