EMIRATES MAGIC MOMENT

"In our stadium, against the enemy, we could not lose"-Bacary Sagna 26/2/12

A fair bit on social media about Thierry Henry's goal against Leeds at The Emirate in his comeback game when he returned on loan in 2012, and as someone who was there on the night it's a goal well worth remembering. The talk also turned to great goals scored at the Emirates; Arsenal's uplifting Arshavin goal v Barcelona, The exemplary team goal v Norwich and the roof raising Thierry Henry late winner v Manchester United, but my personal favourite is Bacary Sagna's goal v Tottenham Hotspur in the 5-2 victory of 2012.

After two early goals from the visitors, including a penalty from pantomime villain Adebayor, a flat atmosphere pervaded the Emirates but the cut and thrust from the team in red raised expectation. We won a corner and Michael Arteta swung in a corner at the Clock end. As the ball sailed into the crowded penalty area Sagna took it upon himself to drive into the box. It was a surge from a player saying "That's it! I've had enough, I'm not letting this lot come to our gaffe and take liberties!"

He met the ball with his head and with a ferocity that saw it bullet past a floundering Brad Friedel. It was a moment that said a lot about the player and about the team. The rest is history as we went on to score another four goals, each of which was breathtaking, and see Scott parker receive a Red. It was a glorious afternoon, and the catalyst for that glory was Bacary Sagna's moment of defiance!