Arsenal's best New Year's Day fixtures

Olivier Giroud

Arsenal's best New Year's Day fixtures

By Jack Lacey-Hatton

The Turkey leftovers may be gone but the festive football continues throughout this week, albeit with Covid cases still forcing some postponements around the Premier League.

For now though, Arsenal’s next game at home to league leaders Manchester City will go ahead as the Gunners look to secure their place in the top four.

This is despite the absence of manager Mikel Arteta who tested positive for Covid-19, it was revealed on Wednesday.

The game on Saturday still offers a great chance for Arsenal to test themselves against the best.

In years gone by New Year’s Day has been a source of some classic encounters that will live long in the memory of supporters.

Let’s take a look at some of the standout games from down the years.
 

2017 - Arsenal 2-0 Crystal Palace

On the surface it was just a routine home win. But this London derby success is memorable for one moment of magic in particular. 

Olivier Giroud’s incredible scorpion kick remains one of the greatest goals seen at the Emirates Stadium.

After a cross from Alexis Sanchez somehow the French striker caught the ball perfectly with his heel whilst twisting in mid-air.

The sensational finish set the team on course for a comfortable three points, with Alex Iwobi adding a second after half-time.

The win actually pushed the Gunners into the Premier League top three, but it will forever be remembered for Giroud’s genius. 

 
2003 – Arsenal 3-2 Chelsea

Although the title was eventually lost, some of the football played during the 2002-03 season was exceptional.

This was evident in a thrilling New Year’s Day success against London rivals Chelsea at Highbury. 

An own goal from Marcel Desailly gave Arsene Wenger’s team an early lead and they spent much of the rest of the game peppering the Chelsea goal. 

The lead was eventually doubled with just 10 minutes left when Giovanni van Bronckhorst fired home from 20 yards. 

Thierry Henry, probably the best player in the world at the time, then added a third with the prime Wenger team at their scintillating best. 

Chelsea did rally for a nail-biting finish, with two late goals from Mario Stanic and former-Gunner Emmanuel Petit, but Arsenal held on to claim the thriller and start 2003 the perfect way.
 
 

2020 - Arsenal 2-0 Manchester United 

The start of 2020, when we hadn’t even heard of Covid, seems like a lifetime ago rather than two years on Saturday.

It also gave Arsenal one of their best New Year’s Day wins and a first success for Mikel Arteta as manager. 

Manchester United rolled into town with only one loss in their previous nine games.

Nicholas Pepe

But they were no match for a powerful Gunners side in front of a noisy Emirates crowd. 

Nicholas Pepe steered in a wonderful opener after just eight minutes and they never looked back.

The second came from an unlikely source when Greek defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos smashed home from close range.

This game earned the team a first win in seven home games.
 

2008 – Arsenal 2-0 West Ham United 

Another New Year London derby, another win. 

Going into 2008 Arsenal were in brilliant shape to challenge for the Premier League title. A new, attacking team led by Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Emmanuel Adebayor. 

Against Alan Curbishley’s West Ham team they produced a superb display worthy of champions. 

Eduardo gave the hosts the lead in the second minute and the result was never truly in doubt from that moment on.

The Gunners were relentless with wave after wave of attack and only a decent display from opposition keeper Rob Green kept the score down. 

Adebayor eventually doubled the lead with a wonderful effort from a narrow angle after rounding Green. 

The win maintained a two-point lead for Wenger’s team at the top of Premier League, after three wins and a draw from their four games over the festive period.

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