Arsenal’s top 10 goals of the 2021/22 season

After what has been a long and difficult journey for the club, we have now reached the end of the season and the time for reflection has already begun as supporters assess the highs and lows of an ultimately underwhelming campaign.

But while a final league standing of fifth place is hard to accept, several promising signs emerged over the past few months and 2021/22 brought us some of the most exciting attacking displays of Mikel Arteta’s fledgling managerial career.

Arsenal’s top 10 goals of the 2021/22 season

From team goals and set pieces to one particularly impressive long-range strike, here is my list of the top 10 Arsenal goals for the season.

No.10: Martin Odegaard vs Burnley

First, we will go back to the early weeks of the campaign and to Turf Moor, where we witnessed a moment of magic from the boot of Martin Odegaard.

The Gunners had been awarded a free-kick just outside the box following a cynical foul on Bukayo Saka and, with the scores still level and a tall claret-and-blue wall standing between him and the target, Odegaard guided a stunning strike into the top corner to earn us a first away goal of the season.

It was a set-piece typical of the Norwegian’s effortless style- with placement beating the goalkeeper more so than power- and it proved decisive as Arteta’s men claimed back-to-back league wins and continued their climb up the table.

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No.9: Martin Odegaard vs Manchester United

Staying with Odegaard, this next goal came during a tempestuous evening at Old Trafford as Man United came to terms with life after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Although Arsenal opened the scoring thanks to Emile Smith Rowe, two goals either side of half-time had put the home side in front and a quick response was needed to regain a foothold in the match.

Those prayers were promptly answered as the Gunners hit back immediately courtesy of excellent one-touch attacking play. Beginning with a sublime through ball from Thomas Partey to the right-wing, Gabriel Martinelli managed to direct it back to Odegaard who had peeled away from his marker and the former Madrid maestro caressed a wonderful first-time shot past a scrambling David de Gea.

No.8: Emile Smith Rowe vs Chelsea

A fine finish to an impressive team move, number 8 takes us back to April’s trip to Stamford Bridge when Arsenal produced the big performance they needed after three consecutive defeats.

Unlike the elegance employed later in the sequence, the initial build-up play was extremely unconvincing and Granit Xhaka showed tremendous composure to wriggle away from two challenges – while in a very vulnerable position – before setting Odegaard and Saka off to run at a vulnerable Chelsea backline.

A neat interchange between the dynamic duo followed and the ball was subsequently teed up for Smith Rowe to guide a precise effort into the net.

There was an element of good fortune about it, but the end result made it worthwhile and helped to secure three points that brought renewed momentum to our Champions League bid.

No.7: Eddie Nketiah vs Sunderland

A slight change of scenery now as attention turns to December’s Carabao Cup quarter-final clash with League One (now Championship) Sunderland, where a rampant Arsenal display was capped by a first senior hat-trick for Eddie Nketiah.

Once again, this was a goal which bore all the hallmarks of the verve and panache we wish to develop in our offensive structure. The game was petering out and Mackem bodies were tiring as Odegaard split the defence with a delightful pass to Nicolas Pepe, who produced a cheeky nutmeg before setting up Nketiah for an equally audacious back-heeled finish.

It was a special goal on a special night for the Hale End man and effectively sealed a place in the next round of the competition. A contribution worthy of the prize.

No.6: Martin Odegaard vs Watford

How did we sign this man for £29 million? The scene for this latest ode to our summer arrival takes place at Vicarage Road, and once more it features an exquisite team effort that picked the Hornets apart after just five minutes.

Stemming from a few passive exchanges in the middle of the pitch, Arsenal suddenly flicked a switch as a series of one-touch passes – including a brilliant backheel from the goalscorer – allowed Saka to race in behind and play the ball back to Odegaard, who took a moment to steady himself before coolly slotting it into the bottom corner.

A well-crafted goal, and one that exemplified the potent attacking options we have at our disposal.

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