Arsenals "moment of the decade"

Other teams have done this, so why not us?

1 - Mesut Ozil signing - 2nd September 2013
After years of austerity, the shackles came off and Arsenal finally made a signing that made people take notice. The "assist king" was our man, signing for around £42m from Real Madrid. Three FA Cup successes followed, along with more big money players. A new era had started after the Stadium Move years. Sadly money doesn't always buy happiness - or great players.

2 - Santi Cazorla's free kick vs Hull City - FA Cup Final 2014
9 years without a trophy, nearly blowing the semi-final against Championship (but also holders) Wigan, the final against Hull City was supposed to be an easy victory to end the drought. But within 8 minutes we were two down and memories of the embarrassing League Cup final defeat to Birmingham came flooding back. Not only were we 2 down, we looked like conceding more. Then we got a free kick 35 yards out. Up stepped Santi Cazorla to put the ball into the top corner and start a comeback.

3 - Aaron Ramsey's winner vs Hull City - FA Cup Final 2014
Of course, Santi's goal was only the start of the comeback. It needed a Laurent Koscielny goal to take the tie into extra time - then Aaron Ramsey stepped up to slam home the winner in the 109th minute. Almost 9 years to the day since our last trophy, Arsenal were once again FA Cup winners.
Special shout-out to Yaya Sanogo, who came on in the 60th minute and played a big role in the 2nd and 3rd goals. Yaya

4 - 2015 FA Cup Final
With the pressure of a trophy drought firmly off, we tackled the next FA Cup Final with more confidence. With Theo Walcott forcing his way into the XI as the striker, and Ozil, Sanchez and Cazorla pulling the strings, we smashed Villa 4-0. Walcott opened the scoring, with Sanchez, Mertesacker and Giroud adding to it. Two final wins in 12 months, and 7 different scorers!

5 - Aaron Ramseys winner vs Chelsea - FA Cup Final 2017
Unlike the previous two final wins, we came into this one as underdogs. Chelsea were champions, and we had an injury/suspension crisis that meant Per Mertesacker was making his first start of the season, alongside young back-up Rob Holding. Danny Welbeck started up front, making our task even harder.
A controversial early goal that was initially ruled out (and would have no chance of standing these days) was allowed to stand, and Arsenal pretty much dominated thereafter. Then Victor Moses desperation led to a rather pitiful dive that fooled no-one, let alone the ref, who produced a second yellow card. Somehow we managed to gift Chelsea an equaliser, but that just set it up for Aaron Ramsey to become the Wembley hero once again. Giroud, on for Welbeck, made an immediate impact by creating the goal, which Ramsey headed in.

6 - Mr Wenger leaves
On the 13th May 2018, Mr Arsene Wenger managed Arsenal for the final time. After 22 years that included 3 PL trophies and a record 7 FA Cups, Mr Wengers time was up. Sadly the relationship had soured, with Mr Wenger leaving us without Champions League football for the first time since his first season. However, most fans will concentrate on the success he brought us, including an unbeaten PL season, and a style of play that will live on in our memories until we have no memory.

7 - Arsenal 4-2 Spurs - 2nd December 2018
Like #1 on this list, a false dawn and bittersweet feelings. Just over a year ago, it looked like we were heading in the right direction. A team with passion, a team that fought for the shirt, a team that played exciting football. The game started with Vertonghen gifting us a penalty, and Aubameyang converting (if he had done the same in the reverse fixture we may be in a very different postion now, but lets leave that...). Then a game we were domninating was turned on its head with an Eric Dier goal that led to a bit of handbags, then the compulsary Kane penalty following a dive. At half time, losing 2-1, it may have felt like the same old story. An inspirational sub or two, putting Ramsey between Laca and Auba, changed the game back into our favour. A stunner from Auba, and a deflected Laca long range effort put us 3-2 ahead. Then Lucas Torreira, the player we had needed for so long, showed he could do a job at both ends with a 4th. Vertonghen ended his nightmare with a red, and there was jubilation at full time as we looked to be on the start of recovery. Amazing what 12 months and 2 weeks can do to a club...



Of course you will have your own personal memories of the last 10 years, some good, many bad.