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Arsenal’s top 10 goals of the 2021/22 season
By Kenneth Daly
No.2: Granit Xhaka vs Manchester United
A player who has divided opinion since he first arrived in London six years ago, Granit Xhaka enjoyed arguably his best season in the capital in 2021/22 and picked the perfect moment to execute his annual ‘Xhakaboom’ during the 3-1 win against Manchester United in April.
The Gunners held a slender lead over their old adversaries and had already survived a dramatic penalty miss from Bruno Fernandes. But nerves were still frayed as the game entered the final twenty minutes and something special was required to put the result beyond doubt. Up stepped Xhaka.
The maligned Swiss international received the ball amidst vociferous protests for a penalty of our own, before firing a powerful, long-range missile through a sea of bodies which left the goalkeeper helpless.
It was a sensational strike that sparked cathartic celebrations amongst anxious supporters and made sure of a momentous victory, while also highlighting how the relationship between the fans and Xhaka has indeed come full circle.
No.1: Alexandre Lacazette vs Southampton
Throwback. 😍 pic.twitter.com/vEMdHVYY12
— AFCnewsroom (@TheAFCnewsroom) May 23, 2022
Although he did not bury too many chances throughout the campaign, it nevertheless seems fitting to end this countdown with a goal from our centre forward, and again it was a collective effort that epitomised the heralded beauty of the Arsenal Way.
The move lasted less than 30 seconds, involved 11 passes and had approximately 60,000 hearts beating furiously in the stands, but it was all worth it in the end as Arsenal went from one end of the pitch to the other in sensational style and cut the Saints open at will.
The strike was facilitated by the incredible calmness of a technically-gifted defensive unit to evade the press, and their quick, intricate passing created swathes of space in midfield which was ruthlessly exploited by our young talents, before Lacazette rounded it off with a confident finish into the top corner.
A goal of inherent beauty, sculpted from the aesthetic vision of the legendary Arsene Wenger.