Arsene Wenger: Jack Wilshere goal one of Arsenal's best

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Jack Wilshere

Manager Arsene Wenger said Jack Wilshere's opening strike in the 4-1 win over Norwich was one of the best Arsenal goals he has seen.

Wilshere stroked in after a controlled exchange with Olivier Giroud and Santi Cazorla on the edge of the area.

"All the goals were great, but the first was exceptional and improvised," said Wenger.

"It was certainly one of the best [Arsenal] goals, one I enjoyed the most because it was a team goal."

Wenger says Ozil has lifted the whole club

Midfielder Wilshere, 21, was the creator, picking up the ball in his own half and feeding Cazorla on the left, before exchanging flicks with Giroud and calmly volleying in from close range.

It was the first time he has scored a Premier League goal at the Emirates Stadium and it helped extend Arsenal's lead at the top of the Premier League table, with Chelsea and Liverpool now two points behind them.

The goal comes after question marks over Wilshere's form and criticism from Wenger for being pictured smoking in public.

Wenger added: "It had combinations and speed which you would always like your team to play with. This one was a mixture of technical quality, speedy thinking, quick reaction and as well being calm in front of goal.

"It had nearly everything you want to have, it was a great goal."

Mesut Ozil also scored either side of another superb individual strike by Aaron Ramsey, when the Welshman waltzed around the Norwich defence to score his ninth goal in 12 appearances this season.

Ramsey started the game on the bench but replaced Mathieu Flamini in the first half after the French midfielder suffered double vision as a result of clashing heads with Norwich midfielder Alexander Tettey.

The result sets up the Gunners for a tricky Champions League game against last season's finalists, Borussia Dortmund, on Tuesday. Arsenal top Group F after victories over Napoli and Marseille.

November promises to be an important month for Wenger as his side face the German side twice, Chelsea in the League Cup, plus Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League.

"We play seven games in 23 days, and that means we will need everybody," said Wenger.

"It gives me an opportunity as well to give the players a little breather before they will get injured.

"I like the solidarity level we have in the team, and of course we know we have quality, but it's now how much we sustain that effort to play together at that level. That will decide our future."

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275 comments

  • Comment posted by U15883054, at 11:28 20 Oct 2013

    Arsenal are an absolute joy to watch at the moment. I think most football fans would be delighted to see them return to the top.

  • Comment posted by Daniel, at 11:46 20 Oct 2013

    You don't see those very often, it was a thing of beauty. They were just on fire yesterday.

    Definite contender for goal of the season. If that doesn't win, we're in for a treat.

  • Comment posted by James_32, at 11:27 20 Oct 2013

    No team plays better football than Arsenal at their best, it's Barcelona, but with power not just technique.

    How long they can keep it up for is, of course, the question.

  • Comment posted by Bullid, at 11:54 20 Oct 2013

    Definitely one of the best goals I've ever seen. I've had a soft spot for the Gunners ever since they showed the rest of us how to play football in '03-'04. This, and (most of) the rest of their displays this season have reminded me why.

    Hope they can keep it up and not cave in after Xmas as I've seen them do before. Would love to them win another Premiership title

  • Comment posted by TJH, at 11:33 20 Oct 2013

    Olivier Giroud hasn't half got a good touch for a big centre forward! The goals of early season are turning into assists - a true team player.

  • Comment posted by Spurtle, at 11:43 20 Oct 2013

    Nice to see Wilshere making headlines for the right reasons.

  • Comment posted by poiggywiugyy, at 12:32 20 Oct 2013

    Penny for the thoughts of Robin Van Persie?...

    Wonder if he would swap Man U for Arsenal right now.

  • Comment posted by A_FORCE_ONE, at 12:24 20 Oct 2013

    I have to take this opportunity to apologise to Aaron Ramsey and Prof Wenger for my transgressions.It goes to show that most fans haven't got a clue as to what happens on the training pitch. Prof Wenger must have been seeing something in Ramsey at training ,which explains why he continued picking him every time even though he wasn't performing on the pitch.Prof knew it was just a matter of time.

  • Comment posted by Dudarben, at 12:23 20 Oct 2013

    I think ozil leaving Real Madrid to arsenal was a step up in his career. He has been pure class. Ozil not only is he a fantastic player but he makes other players play well. Btw I'm a jealous united fan.

  • Comment posted by Isla, at 11:38 20 Oct 2013

    Beautiful, beautiful football. Wouldn't have looked out of place in the era of the invincibles. Joy to watch but looked a little defensively fragile after losing Flamini. Time to get spending again in January...?

  • Comment posted by Dantis, at 12:21 20 Oct 2013

    @49

    Jealousy is a terrible thing.

    One of the finest team goals I have ever seen, simply stunning.

    At the moment Arsenal are the finest team in the EPL.

  • Comment posted by U15446083, at 12:08 20 Oct 2013

    I would love to see Arsenal win the league playing footie like that. reminds me of the invincibles, cracking to watch

    from a Utd fan

  • Comment posted by As_it_is, at 11:43 20 Oct 2013

    A fantastic team effort for Wilsheres goal, and individual brilliance by Ramsey for his goal. Potentially 2 contenders for goal of the season. There will be bigger tests to come, If Arsenal can keep their players fit, they could finally win something this season.

  • Comment posted by U15357596, at 12:46 20 Oct 2013

    @70
    He dug his own grave when he left Arsenal after all the support they had given him through his injury hit career. Im not an arsenal fan but even i have no sympathy for him.

    RVP, I hope you enjoy playing with Fellaini when you could have been playing with Ozil LOL

  • Comment posted by U14419057, at 13:55 20 Oct 2013

    Life long Liverpool fan here... and i don't mind stating that if i didn't support the Reds I would support Arsenal, a joy to watch, attractive, technical football with the whole team playing as a unit of quality and skill. the beautiful game personified....

  • Comment posted by Odin, at 13:20 20 Oct 2013

    The RVP and GB exits may have been a blessing for the North London clubs. Time will tell, but not so sure that both individuals are over the moon currently.

  • Comment posted by U15349128, at 12:22 20 Oct 2013

    I'm a Man U fan, but I also like Arsenal and the way they try to play the game.

    I am very pleased for them and the way they have made progress this year is a credit to the club.

    If Man U don't win this season (unlikely now), then I hope Arsenal do it.

  • Comment posted by U15813265, at 12:20 20 Oct 2013

    No fair. Two of those Norwich defenders have their hands up to go to the toilet.

  • Comment posted by U14966550, at 11:49 20 Oct 2013

    They were all really good goals, including Norwich's. It was just a fun game of football to watch.

  • Comment posted by Blaze , at 11:45 20 Oct 2013

    That has to be one of the best goals i'll ever see. Tuesday looks to be even more exciting, Dortmund vs Arsenal, the sense of belief in the fans is amazing. In Wenger we trust.

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