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

No.5: Bukayo Saka vs Manchester City

New-year clashes don’t come much tougher than a visit from the champions, but Arsenal delivered on their big-game resolutions in the early kick-off as they went toe-to-toe with their opponent and finally found the breakthrough shortly before half-time.

Having already spurned several good chances and had strong claims for a penalty waved away, the Gunners got the goal they deserved when intricate midfield play saw Kieran Tierney unleashed down the left-hand side. The industrious Scotsman powered into the final third and picked out Saka on the edge of the box before our starboy swept an instinctive strike beyond the reach of Ederson.

We might have failed to get anything from the match, but it was refreshing to see such a competitive performance from Arsenal against a ‘Big Six’ side, and Saka showed just why fans are so keen for him to commit his long-term future to the club.

No.4: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang vs Tottenham

Back in the heady days before his public fallout with Arteta and abrupt January exit, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was tasked with leading the line in a fiery early-season North London Derby and sent the Emirates into raptures with an excellent first-half finish to make it 2-0.

The move almost fell apart before it even got going as Xhaka saved Aaron Ramsdale’s blushes by retaining possession despite the ‘keeper’s risky pass, and Arsenal soon broke clear when Aubameyang put Smith Rowe through on goal with a fantastic flick over the top. ‘The Smith’ then managed to find his teammate in space and the former captain fired a weak-footed effort first time into the net.

A devastating attack typical of what Spurs often execute themselves, this goal set the tone for what was a dominant display and saw us leapfrog our fierce rivals in the Premier League table.

No.3: Gabriel Martinelli vs Newcastle

After receiving a negligible amount of game-time in the weeks prior to this outing, the season had not been going as Martinelli would have wanted and the Brazilian was fully aware of the need to take his opportunity when he was introduced from the bench.

Coming only two minutes after he came on in place of a hobbling Saka, Martinelli showed the manager exactly what he is capable of as he tracked the flight of Tomiyasu’s raking cross into the Magpies’ penalty area.

Faced with the difficult proposition of maintaining the chase whilst avoiding a collision with the onrushing Martin Dubravka, the ‘talent of the century’ dealt with both superbly and finished with aplomb, gently steering home a volley to give the Gunners breathing space.

The chance was converted with the grace of a seasoned Premier League performer, and Martinelli’s undeniable talent earned him a much more prominent role in the side for the rest of the campaign.

Continued on the next slide…