Through the bad times, there are always good times. The moments that make us feel like we are invincible, like nothing can stop us. On top of the world.
Here are the Top 5 Best Moments as an Arsenal Fan :
5. Arsenal 1 Manchester City 0, 8th April 2012
This was mainly to send a message to Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri. Money can't buy class. Well, we forgot to factor in an ignorant QPR thug and a Manchester United breakdown.
When Arteta made contact with the ball, we all knew it was in. It was a sensational hit and I'm sure it sent shivers down the spines of every Gooner around the globe.
Manchester City had been parking the bus all game, a regular occurrence at the Emirates *cough*Chelsea*cough*. We had been trying to work the ball into the box, but Vincent Kompany wasn't having any of it. Time after time, we were thwarted by the Belgian stopper. So Mikel took a gamble.
To cap it off, Samir Nasri was substituted after a miserable performance. Ain't life grand?
4. Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2, 26th February 2012
The doubters had been silenced once and for all. Those who believed that Tottenham ruled London were star struck. Never before had a North London derby unfolded like this.
34 minutes into the game at the Emirates and it looked like they were right as Adebayor struck the ball into the net from the penalty spot. Both of Spurs' goals had been very fortunate. Saha's early opener of 4' took a wicked deflection of an outstretched Thomas Vermaelen and looped over Szczesny into the back of the net. 1-0. Luka Modric slotted the ball between Kieran Gibbs and Vermaelen for Gareth Bale to run on to. Bale, who knew he couldn't score, slammed the ball away and went down under a non-existent tackle from Wojiech. The three players protested against the award of a penalty kick. Television replays backed their claim. Mike Dean pointed to the spot.
So it was up to Arsenal to climb out of the dire situation themselves. And they did so in some fashion.
The remaining Spurs fans at the end of the match were shell shocked. They couldn't believe what they had just seen. Arsenal 5 Tottenham 2.
London was, and is, well and truly RED.
3. Arsenal 2 Barcelona 1, 16th February 2011
It's nights like these that really make you feel invincible. This is how you beat Barcelona, Chelsea, watch and learn.
When we were drawn against Barcelona for the second year running, we were all dreading a reunion with our old foe, Lionel Messi. When the match came, the questions were filled in our mind.
How many goals will they put past us this time?
Will Messi score 4 again?
None of us were really 100% that Arsenal would win this game. We had a feeling. Only a feeling.
It seemed like all of our hopes were dashed in the 26' when David Villa slotted the ball home after an incisive Messi pass split the Arsenal back four.
But we were actually taking the game to the Catalan side. Actually keeping possession and making swift attacks with an inspired Jack Wilshere leading the way.
Even now, I get shivers when I see Van Persie's audacious piledriver and Arshavin bury the ball into the bottom corner. The roar, the joy and the excitement. We had not only beaten Barcelona, we had come back from behind to do so. How many teams have done that? None.
2. Arsenal 1 Leeds 0, 9th January 2012
From the outside, Arsenal 1 Leeds 0 looks like a straight forward match up. But you had to be there to see what makes this second in the list.
Whoever wrote the script for this match, did a blinding job. Who really could have predicted that, on his return, Thierry Henry would score the winner for Arsenal once more? Who?
Songinho, with his Fabregas-like vision, found Henry between the RB and the CB. This was the moment. The moment that we had been waiting for. With a deft touch, Henry positioned himself. As he struck the ball home, in a manner reminiscent of his old self, the 59,615 crowd were ecstatic. The King had returned, and how. Definitely one of those nights that will live long in the memory of the Arsenal fan.
1. Arsenal 4 Cardiff 0, 16th February 2009
Again, not a game to get the title aspirations up, but again the return of an Emirates favourite. Eduardo.
51 weeks after breaking his leg, the Croatia striker made his comeback in an FA Cup tie against Cardiff in what was one of the most emotional nights in Arsenal's history.
His celebration after his first goal, when he fell to his knees in a moment of joy, remains an iconic image of Eduardo. He had a tear in his eye when the ball hit the net. After a long road to recovery, he was now back in action. Had it not been for Martin Taylor's stupid tackle, we'd be describing Eduardo with the same superlatives saved for his former team mate, Robin Van Persie. The best finisher in the Premier League in his time with the Gunners. If the survival of the human race depended on Eduardo slotting home a 1-on-1 chance against the keeper, he'd do it, with ease. I'm looking forward to watching him once again in the Euros this summer.
Dafuck was that crazy arab doing?
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