Arsenal plays Wolves at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday in the first game of the 2024/25 season. In the life of a fan, an opening home fixture of a new campaign holds a special place. There is anticipation of what the coming season will bring. New signings make debuts, the stadium appears pristine in the summer sunshine, and any first-day goals create great memories.
We rank the best goals scored by Gunners’ players in home league-opening matches.
No.5: Alexandre Lacazette, 11 August 2017
Arsenal 4 – 3 Leicester
In Arsene Wenger’s last season in charge, Arsenal broke their transfer record to capture striker Lacazette from Lyon. “Lacca” opened his account for the Gunners on 94 seconds in a game that unfolded into a barnstorming contest.
A fantastic cross into the box by Mohamed Elneny was instinctively headed past Kasper Schmeichel by Lacazette. The Frenchman also scored in the next two home league matches: an achievement for a new signing unequaled since Brian Marwood in 1988.
No.4: Alexander Hleb, 12 August 2007
Arsenal 2 – 1 Fulham
After losing club record goalscorer Thierry Henry in the summer of 2007, Arsenal fans were understandably concerned about making a good start to the new season. Belarusian midfielder Hleb was moved forward to play behind striker Robin van Persie and rescued three points in this tightly contested opener.
With the score level and seconds remaining, Cesc Fabregas chipped a pass into Hleb, who showed superb ball control before firing a low drive into the bottom-left corner.
No.3: Sylvain Wiltord, 18 August 2002
Arsenal 2 – 0 Birmingham City
Wiltord scored the double-winning goal at Old Trafford in May 2002, and ensured the champions sealed the first points of the following season over newly promoted Birmingham.
The goal was initiated courtesy of a sublime sequence of one-touch passing involving Patrick Vieira, Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry. Wiltord was on the end of the final ball, running at the Blues defense and finishing in style. The reliable French winger would end his Arsenal career with a respectable 49 goals in 175 appearances and four major honors.
No.2: Liam Brady, 19 August 1978
Arsenal 1 – 1 Leeds United
Together with his famous curler at Tottenham a few months later, this wonderful strike is one of Brady’s top goals for Arsenal. The 1978/79 season signaled the high-water mark for the gifted Irishman as the Gunners delivered the FA Cup in one of Wembley’s greatest finals.
The cup success was delivered in no small part by “Chippy”. To the immense disappointment of the Highbury faithful, Brady joined Italian giants Juventus in the 1980 close season.
No.1: Bukayo Saka, 12 August 2023
Arsenal 2 – 1 Nottingham Forest
The Arsenal starboy served up a breathtaking finish 12 months ago to wrap up the three points in the opening game. In what is becoming a trademark play, Saka turned inside on the edge of the box to expertly guide the ball into the far corner, leaving ex-Gunners keeper Matt Turner with no chance.
Last season, Saka definitively answered questions surrounding his world-class credentials. This generational talent emphasized the point at Euro 2024, equaling Cliff Bastin’s club scoring record for England.
The post Arsenal’s top five home season-opening goals appeared first on AFTV.
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