Giroud scorpion kick stings Palace

Arsene WENGER said Olivier Giroud’s sensational scorpion kick strike yesterday was a work of art that rivalled Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry for the greatest goal he has ever seen at arsenal.

Giroud scored what could already be the best goal of 2017 as arsenal saw off Crystal Palace in this encounter at the Emirates stadium on new year’s Day.

It is set to be shortlisted for the Premier League’s Goal of the season and wenger thinks it will never be forgotten, with it firmly in his top five.

‘you cannot work that in training,’ said the Frenchman. ‘It’s just a reflex. It was an exceptional goal because it was at the end of a fantastic collective movement, what our game is about.

‘any goalscorer is ready to take any part of his body, even if it’s the little toe, to score a goal.

‘He transformed that goal into art. It was art because of the surprise, because of the beauty of the movement and because of the efficiency of the movement.

‘That will be remembered as the Giroud goal that nobody will forget.

‘Every striker is remembered for one, two or three special goals and that will certainly remain with him for ever.

‘He brings the unexpected and we all come to football for the unexpected. Certain people come to the games to see these kind of goals.

‘I’ve been spoiled in my career. I’ve had many great players and great strikers and that is in the top five.’

asked what his other four are, wenger said: ‘Bergkamp, Henry, special goals.

‘Bergkamp at Leicester and newcastle, Thierry Henry against Real Madrid and Liverpool, (nwankwo) Kanu at Chelsea.

‘It’s difficult for me not to forget goals when you score 70 or 80 a year.’

It was similar to Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s scorpion style goal on Boxing Day, but Sportsmail columnist Jamie Carragher believes Giroud’s was better.

‘It’s just an unbelievable goal and the fact that we’ve seen two in a week is remarkable,’ said Carragher. ‘I think it tops Mkhitaryan. It’s brilliant skill.

‘I think it’s goal of the season for now and I think it’s right up there with some of those great arsenal goals.’

Carragher’s fellow sky sports pundit Graeme souness was less impressed with Giroud’s wonder goal, however. On whether it could be the goal of the century, souness said: ‘Oh, get away.

‘Enjoy the moment Olivier, you improvised, showed great athleticism but there was a large slice of luck.’

Giroud’s goal was later added to by alex Iwobi, who eventually saw his goal-bound header cleared on to the bar before finding its way into the net, to see the Gunners re-take third place.

Palace, meanwhile, will now turn their attention to swansea, who they host tomorrow at selhurst Park tomorrow, and manager sam allardyce is unhappy with the schedule, as they fight for survival.

‘we’re thin on the ground,’ he said. ‘why can’t we play on wednesday?

‘I don’t know who does the fixtures but he really needs sacking.

‘swansea have 24 hours on us. you want a fair crack at it with so much at stake.’