Last Minute winners: Arsenal's best late wins in history
Arsenal have a long track record of winning in the final minutes of games throughout their history in the top flight of English football.
In the near-140-year history of Arsenal FC, some of the biggest highlights have been when the team has come from behind to win. Stepping up in the toughest situations and securing that last-minute winner is what makes the Gunners a team you should never doubt. Let’s take a look at the best last-minute victories in the club’s record books.
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Lacazette leads Arsenal over Wolves (February 25, 2022)
We take it back to February 2022 when Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers were seemingly headed to a static 1-1 draw. Deep into injury time, everyone in the stadium thought that it would end in a draw until Arsenal found a path to attack.
The team passed the ball around the pitch, and Alexandre Lacazette found his way near the goal he calmly shot the ball into Wolves’ goalkeeper José Sá who knocked the ball into the net. This was a fantastic performance for Arsenal as they strengthened their bid for the top four.
The season ended in heartbreak, however, as the squad finished outside of the top four but Arsenal proved that they can still pull off some magical wins by the skin of their teeth. This had been an influential win as Arsenal has become more poised during similar situations even without Laca, who has left the club after a strong stint in North London.
Saka and Auba connect to defeat Benfica (February 25, 2021)
Arsenal had a strong run in the 2020-21 Europa League season, which ended at the semi-final stage when they lost to eventual champions, Villarreal. Arsenal would not have reached that stage if they did not put in a strong performance against Portuguese side Benfica in the round of 32.
Benfica were on their way to drawing the match 2-2, but Arsenal had different plans. Bukayo Saka made the difference in the match, and he showed why he was the most promising English player at the time.
Saka took on his defender and dribbled past him to create space. He then curled in a cross into the box, which was easily headed in by captain and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. This was a stellar goal that gave Auba a brace and a 4-3 aggregate win for Arsenal over their Portuguese rivals.
Welbeck complicates the title race with a last-minute goal (February 14, 2016)
In a Valentine’s Day match between Arsenal and Leicester City, the North London club was unfavored as the Foxes had unreal momentum heading into the match. The clubs were in a deadlock at one goal apiece after Theo Walcott scored in the 70th minute to equalize.
It was a tense last 20 minutes for both clubs, but Arsenal managed to win a free-kick that ended up being taken by Mesut Özik. Since it was just outside of the box and it was primed to be the game’s last kick, people expected Özil to pull off a miracle goal. That did not end up happening because he managed to find Danny Welbeck in the near post who then headed it into the net.
Leicester went on to win the league but Arsenal provided much-needed drama
Before the match, Leicester and Tottenham were embroiled in a tough duel for the top spot, but Arsenal muscled their way into the picture with this win.
It was a fantastic win that threw a wrench into the title race and raised the stakes for every match moving forward. The Foxes ended up making the miracle run to win the league, and Arsenal fell short, but this result was a massive day for Arsenal and the Premier League in general.
This was a big day for Welbeck, considering that before this game, he was sidelined for 10 months with a major injury. He was gutted by the missed chances throughout the game, but he proved he still had scoring power with the last-minute goal.
Henry’s header beats Manchester United (January 21, 2007)
Thierry Henry is unanimously known as one of the best Arsenal players of all time. This game against Manchester United was a clear sign that he deserves that distinction because he always stepped up to the plate as Arsenal’s number one player when needed.
At the time, Man United was hailed as the strongest club in England with little resistance. However, Arsenal had something to say about that because they were still led by manager Arsene Wenger and star players like Henry.
This was a tough match between both teams as there were some awesome performances from Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Henry, and Robin van Persie. The Dutchman himself managed to score an equalizer in the 83rd minute, which set up Henry’s masterful goal.
Arsenal's accurate approach play finished with Emmanuel Eboué’s cross into the box that Henry calmly sank into the net with a header.
A meaningful goal against the Red Devils
This was a phenomenal goal for Henry, which Arsenal fans were used to. However, this was a tough match for Arsenal because the legendary Man United squad was full of top-tier players in every position, and their biggest stars were Ronaldo and Rooney.
Man United ended up as the champions of the 2006/07 Premier League season, but this victory played a factor in Arsenal’s chase for the title. This also proved that Man United was beatable, and Henry cemented his place as one of the best strikers in the Premier League and world soccer.
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Thomas wins the trophy for Arsenal (May 26, 1989)
While some people have forgotten the years before the Premier League was launched, Arsenal still has a bright moment to look back on from 1989. Michael Thomas had a magical moment back in 1989 that ended up being the deciding factor for Arsenal’s First Division trophy in the 1988/89 season.
Before the match, Arsenal needed to score two goals to beat Liverpool for the First Division title on the final day of the season, otherwise, the title would be Liverpool’s. Alan Smith managed to score the first goal, but it looked like Liverpool was primed to hold on and stop Arsenal from winning the title.
An all-important goal
Despite the tough defense, Arsenal found a way to get the ball to Thomas who ended up scoring the goal. Arsenal had managed to snatch the title away from Liverpool at the last minute, which ended one of the best English top-flight seasons of all time. It is the goal that people look back on when talking about Arsenal’s ability to score last-minute winners.
That gene has been passed down across generations of Arsenal players and it has continued to this day. Now, there are many game-changers in the Arsenal squad, including Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
Arsenal will always be a tough team at the death
High-pressure situations are regular in football but Arsenal always find a way to stand out in times like these. Now, the current squad is full of talent that loves the tough moments as they play better under pressure.
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