Olivier Giroud scorpion-kick the greatest goal I've ever seen live, says Arsenal team-mate Alex Iwobi
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Alex Iwobi says every Arsenal player was left open-mouthed by Olivier Giroud ’s wonder-goal.
Gunners forward Iwobi claims it was the greatest goal he has ever witnessed in the flesh, and hopes it will help carry on Arsenal’s winning momentum as they try to chase down runaway leaders Chelsea.
Iwobi said of Giroud's scorpion-kick stunner in the 2-0 defeat of Crystal Palace: “I have never seen a better goal than that live.
"A lot of people were coming in at half-time with their mouths open like this (does a jaw-dropping impression). They couldn’t believe it; they were all congratulating him, but it was only half-time. At the end of the game we could all say, ‘Well done, Ollie.’
“It’s so rare. We have some special players and you do see the odd crazy thing, but nothing like that has ever happened in training.
“We’ve had two now with Mkhitaryan [scoring in very similar fashion for Manchester United on Boxing Day]. Don’t know who will be next. Those two goals were up there with the best I have ever seen.”
Boss Arsene Wenger immediately put Giroud's strike in his top five goals of his 20-year reign at Arsenal — a big compliment considering the club’s great players include Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires.
But Iwobi is also a familiar story from the Frenchman’s time at the club as he is a home grown youngster coming through the ranks.
He thrived in the No10 role against Palace on Sunday but could go back wide if Mesut Ozil is fit again for Tuesday night's match away to Bournemouth.
(Photo: PA Wire/AFP/Getty)
The 20-year-old admits it is sometimes difficult to take it in but is ready to seize his chance while Arsenal must also hope they can pounce if Chelsea slip up.
Iwobi said: “This time last year I was just playing in the cup games and happy to be there. To be starting almost every week is just amazing progress for me. I’m still young, still learning and there is still a long way to go.
“There is a lot of players who can play number 10; a lot of ball players in the team. Every day in training I am always learning and trying to add it to my game.
“It is where I have grown up playing and where I enjoy playing the most most but wherever I am put on the pitch, I will do my best and whenever I get told to play any position I give 100 per cent.
(Photo: Action Images via Reuters)
“On the team’s behalf we are focusing more on ourselves and our performance. Hopefully if Chelsea slip up, they slip up but we have to make sure we win to keep up the title race.”
Wenger is annoyed by a fixture schedule requiring Arsenal to play again barely 48 hours after the final whistle against Palace whereas hosts Bournemouth finished their weekend game by 5pm Saturday, and admits that at the moment they are just trying to “hang on” in the title race behind Chelsea.
“In 20 years it is the most uneven Christmas period I’ve seen," he said.
"The difference in rest period is unbelievable in terms of all the teams.
(Photo: Reuters)
(Photo: Reuters)
“Honestly, I don’t really know if the Premier League masters the fixtures. It’s more we have sold the rights to TV for a lot of money so we have to accept TV chooses the games.
"But some teams have more luck than others.
“We have to hang on and try to win and hope results turn in our favour.
"We had an exceptional run and [then] in four days we lose two games. I hope it’s out of our system. But every game is so difficult.
"In 48 hours we go into a game with a big handicap on the fixture and I have to find fresh legs.”