In a surprising revelation that will captivate Arsenal supporters, former fan favourite Olivier Giroud has singled out what he believes was his most exceptional goal during his tenure at the Emirates Stadium.
The French striker, renowned for scoring spectacular goals throughout his career, made the unexpected admission that his legendary scorpion kick against Crystal Palace - which won the 2017 Puskas Award for goal of the season - wasn't actually his personal favourite.
The Goal That Topped Even the Scorpion Kick
Speaking candidly, Giroud revealed: "If I had to choose my best goal for Arsenal, I would say the one against Crystal Palace away. We won 2-1, and I scored with a volley from an Alex Iwobi cross."
The goal in question came during a crucial London derby in December 2016, where Giroud's breathtaking first-time volley demonstrated technical perfection that even overshadowed his more famous acrobatic effort.
Why This Strike Stands Above the Rest
Giroud explained his reasoning with the insight of a true technician: "It was a pure striker's movement, a pure volley. The cross from Alex Iwobi was behind me, so I had to readjust my body and hit it first time."
The 37-year-old AC Milan forward emphasised that while the scorpion kick captured global attention and awards, this particular volley represented the essence of classic centre-forward play executed to perfection.
A Legacy of Spectacular Strikes
During his five-and-a-half-year spell with Arsenal, Giroud established himself as a master of the extraordinary goal. His catalogue includes:
- The famous scorpion kick against Crystal Palace
- The stunning volley against Crystal Palace he considers his best
- Numerous crucial headers and technical finishes
- Important goals in cup finals and European competitions
Despite now playing his football in Serie A, Giroud maintains a special connection with Arsenal supporters, who still sing his name at the Emirates and appreciate his contribution during a transitional period for the club.
His revelation provides fascinating insight into how players themselves assess their own moments of brilliance, often valuing technical execution and contextual importance over pure spectacle.
