Top 10 goals from Arsenal during the 2024/25 campaign

5. Declan Rice vs Newcastle

It only took four matches and cost us a chance of Carabao Cup glory, but Arsenal finally ended their Newcastle heartbreak in May via the boot of Declan Rice.

This goal showcased Rice and his unerring ability to strike cleanly through the ball. Picked out by an Odegaard pass just outside the box, the £105m man ran onto it and opted for a first-time effort, his powerful, whipped shot flying beyond a helpless Nick Pope to make it 1-0.

The long-range piledriver was worthy of winning any game and it made that crucial difference here, alongside its added importance of being the goal to seal our spot in the Champions League for next year.   

He also spared us any final-day nerves (phew!).

4. Riccardo Calafiori vs Manchester City

Another long-range strike follows here, and what a way for Riccardo Calafiori to announce himself in an Arsenal shirt.

Our Etihad trip was billed as an early title marker and it started like the last – that 4-1 drubbing back in 2023– as Manchester City took the lead. The team could have easily buckled but, instead, they got back level thanks to a Calafiori wondergoal.

It sparked a bit of controversy as the Gunners restarted quickly from a free kick, Martinelli breaking free down the left wing. He then laid it off to the new boy who side-footed it first time from 20 yards, his placed shot curling just inside the far post.

The champions were furious about not being given a chance to reset properly for the free kick by Michael Oliver (nice to see others angry with him for a change); the Arsenal players were ecstatic.

Other details from that match are best forgotten, but Calafiori will never forget his first, brilliant goal in red and white.

3. Ethan Nwaneri vs Preston

Arjen Robben would be proud of it.

After just a handful of first-team games, Ethan Nwaneri had a trademark finish and he demonstrated it in its full glory at Deepdale last October.

The 17-year-old got the ball from Gabriel Jesus and took one touch before shooting on the half-turn, his incredible, curling effort sailing into the top corner. Goalkeeper Freddie Woodman did not move and nor did those in attendance – they had witnessed pure genius.

Not only was the goal sensational, but the touch, turn and effortless nature of it all also summed up Nwaneri and illustrated just why Arsenal fans are so excited about him – he is undoubtedly a big star in the making.

And it is nice to have a left-footed midfielder who shoots…    

2. Declan Rice vs Real Madrid (Pt. 1)

No prizes for guessing where this is going…

That being said, Courtois was far less sure. Arsenal won a free kick 30 yards out and Rice, being our set-piece expert-in-chief, stood over it. Everyone knows he is a dab hand from such situations, but no one expected this result.

Yes, the wall was poorly set up but you can take nothing away from Rice. Up against Los Blancos, he channelled his inner Roberto Carlos to curl a stunning shot well around the wall, clearing Federico Valverde with ease before swinging it back inside the post.  

Bar a fluke versus PSG, Arsenal had not scored direct from a free kick for four years prior to that night against the UCL holders.

What a way to buck that trend.

1. Declan Rice vs Real Madrid (Pt. 2)

Lightning could not strike twice, could it?

Oh yes it could! Or maybe not, as this one was even better. The bar had been set almost impossibly high 12 minutes earlier but Rice somehow topped it, this time aiming for the goalkeeper’s side and smashing a remarkable shot into the top corner.

Unstoppable power, sniper-like precision and his own sheer audacity to take it on: it was a magical goal that made for a night of pure theatre at Emirates Stadium, one which all but secured our first UCL semi-final appearance in 16 years.

It was a Galactico strike from our record signing, and one that will be forever etched in Arsenal folklore.  

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