Alex Iwobi says every Arsenal player was left open-mouthed by Olivier Giroud’s wonder-goal.
Gunners forward Iwobi claims it was the greatest goal he has ever witnessed in the flesh, and hopes it will help carry on Arsenal’s winning momentum as they try to chase down runaway leaders Chelsea.
Iwobi said of Giroud’s scorpion-kick stunner in the 2-0 defeat of Crystal Palace: “I have never seen a better goal than that live.
“A lot of people were coming in at half-time with their mouths open like this (does a jaw-dropping impression). They couldn’t believe it; they were all congratulating him, but it was only half-time. At the end of the game we could all say, ‘Well done, Ollie.’
“It’s so rare. We have some special players and you do see the odd crazy thing, but nothing like that has ever happened in training.
“We’ve had two now with Mkhitaryan [scoring in similar fashion for Manchester United on Boxing Day]. Don’t know who will be next. Those two goals were up there with the best I have ever seen.”
Boss Arsene Wenger immediately put Giroud’s strike in his top five goals of his 20-year reign at Arsenal — a big compliment considering the club’s great players include Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robert Pires.
But Iwobi is also a familiar story from the Frenchman’s time at the club as he is a home grown youngster coming through the ranks.
He thrived in the No10 role against Palace on Sunday but could go back wide if Mesut Ozil is fit again for Tuesday night’s match away to Bournemouth.
Iwobi said: “This time last year I was just playing in the cup games and happy to be there. To be starting almost every week is just amazing progress for me. I’m still young, still learning and there is still a long way to go.
“There is a lot of players who can play number 10; a lot of ball players in the team. Every day in training I am always learning and trying to add it to my game.