Aubameyang made headlines on Thursday by unveiling his Black Panther mask. It’s a celebration the striker has done throughout his career, but he was clearly picking the right occasion to do so as a Gunner. I suppose you don’t want to look silly by covering up your face, then conceding a late goal. Plus, because we can’t have fun in 2019, he gets a yellow card each time.
Now in the Quarter Finals of the Europa League, hopefully there are more special evenings in the next couple of months on the way for him to dress up as other super heroes. Arsenal don’t play for another 3 weeks and readers know it’s tradition during the international break for me to form top 10 lists (any suggestions let me know in the comments)
To celebrate Auba’s iconic celebration, here are my top 10 Arsenal Celebrations
10- Podolski – Selfie at Spurs
He showed his personality by celebrating our last win at the Lane by taking selfies with the away fans. He had only been at the club for over a year at this point. The fact he knew how much the Derby meant to his supporters show why he’s always been popular wherever he’s played.
9- Theo Walcott – Shows Spurs The Score
At the Lane, 2-0 up in the FA Cup, Walcott was stretchered off. The Spurs fans were classy as usual mocking the winger. Despite facing the prospect of another long injury lay off, Walcott had enough humour to remind those abusing him that they were the ones losing and heading out of the competition.
8- Bergkamp- Leaves Sunderland Speechless
When the Dutchman scored in this FA Cup tie, he put his hand over his mouth to motion he was speechless. The fact his teammates joined in suggests this celebration was planned. The irony being that the goal was so good, those who saw it really didn’t know what to say.
7- Henry – Says Goodbye to Highbury
Okay in truth Henry could make his own list. Wherever it was the ssshing gesture, smashing his hand against the crest or simply staring at opposition fans with zero emotion, he had the arrogance only beautiful when done by a top sportsperson. This was more about saying goodbye to our old home, the pitch he describes as ‘Like playing in my back garden’. In the final match at the stadium, the striker scored a hat trick against Wigan. Knowing Spurs were losing at West Ham, meaning we leapfrogged them into 4th, he christened the moment by kissing the turf.
6- Merson – Drinking Celebration
Merson celebrated our semi Final win by gesturing that he was downing numerous pints. This was in response to critics from media and section of our fan base, regarding the drinking culture of the club. Like England’s Dentist Chair at Euro 96, it’s all fun when you are beating you rivals. The cruel irony is a few years after Merson’s celebration he admitted he needed help to battle addiction. In fact, next Monday on ITV he discusses his latest battles against the illness.
5 – Steve Morrow- Breaks Arm
Imagine scoring at Wembley to win the cup and that still not being the thing your best known for. Minutes after his 119th min header, Tony Adams tried to hoist him on his shoulders before dropping his teammate. As everyone else lifted the League Cup, the defender was being taken to hospital, breathing through an oxygen mask. He got his winners medal a week later.
4 – Henry – ‘ Is That Enough?’
By 2006, Henry had masterminded the skill of taking the quick free kick. Some officials let it stand, others ruled it out. On this day, Graham Poll wasn’t in a fun mood, asking for a retake and everyone to wait for his whistle. Henry simply took it again, put it in the goal and acted like it was always going to happen.
3 – Ian Wright – Just Done It
For weeks it was a case of when, not if, Ian Wright was going to become our highest ever scorer. Wright was prepared, wearing a Just Done It Shirt under his Arsenal jersey. The thing is, he jumped the gun, showing the design when he had tied, not beaten the record. A few minutes later he made history, showing the shirt for the second time, much to Nike’s delight.
2- Tony Adams- That Sums it All Up
It wasn’t just that this was the day we won our first ever Premiership, or the irony that he scored after an assist from Bould, contradicting their image of representing ‘ Boring Boring Arsenal.’ It was more it signalled how his life had gone full circle. Whether you knew it then or years later after reading his autobiographies, the power of the moment goes beyond the sporting world. His life had been rock bottom due to addiction, but now sober, this was a spiritually motivating moment.
1- Henry – That Celebration
You know when some were saying Dier shouldn’t have celebrated in front of Arsenal fans, I didn’t want to be two faced, based on the fact I have a canvas in my kitchen of Henry sliding in front of Spurs supporters at Highbury. Having ran from over the half way line to score, he ran back the other way to celebrate. Having never lost to the Old Enemy, Henry describes this as his favourite picture. The image shows him successful, while Spurs faces look at him angry, sad, disappointed, jealous. Things change yet stay the same…..
Which is your favourite ever Arsenal goal celebration?
Dan Smith