Morning all.

We had a concern on the other day’s Arsecast Extra about the last direct totally free kick we had actually scored, and thanks to Harvey Downes at Opta, we got the response we couldn’t create.

We’ve gone precisely 100 video games in all competitors without a direct free-kick objective (given that Ødegaard’s v Burnley in Sep 2021), stopping working to score with any of our last 41 efforts. We have not had a single DFK effort yet in our 12 video games this season.

— Harvey Downes (@HarveyDownes92) October 16, 2023

As Arsenal news is brief on the ground, I believed today’s post may simply recall at some outstanding totally free kicks that Arsenal have actually taken which I have actually had the ability to keep in mind – no mean task provided how ridiculously bad my memory is of late.

Lez – as a sensible man may state on his method back from the Trademark Office – Doo Dis!

Thierry Henry v Wigan

How pleasing is this, on many levels?

• The range – it’s miles out
• The fracture off the post before the ball enters
• Thierry turning to have a little pop at the obnoxious Graham Poll
• That being his 16th objective in his previous 14th league looks
• We won 3-2, and Pascal Cygan played left-back

There were lots more to select from when it pertains to Thierry. The Juventus curler, the one versus Roma in the Champions League (did that seal his hat-trick in the blue away package?), Newcastle in your home where the ball struck the bar and entered, the curler versus Charlton. So, many.

Santi Cazorla v Hull

2-0 down in the FA Cup last to Hull, and it might have been 3-0. To state the day wasn’t going to strategy is an understatement of legendary percentages. Then we get a complimentary kick, up stepped Santi to score an objective which stimulated a resurgence that saw us end the prize dry spell.

Those events still live long in the memory. No flooring has actually ever been stickier than The Tollington that night.

Also, not just did it win us the cup, without it we’d never ever have actually had this piece of Internet awesomeness.

Robin van Persie v Sunderland

Whatever you think about Robin van Persie nowadays, there’s no concern that he might strike a football. I don’t believe his totally free kick record was especially great or effective, however when they entered, they truly entered.

This one versus Sunderland had my most preferred thing – the ball entering off the underside of the crossbar. If you close your eyes and envision it being scored by somebody who didn’t end up being a wanker, it’s even much better.

Robert Pires v Liverpool

What do I require to state here? Dreamy Robert, versus the Mugsmashers, leading corner, keeper hardly moves (I appear to remember this being Dudek’s default technique to great deals of totally free kicks)?

Hook it to my veins and so on.

Mikel Arteta v Aston Villa

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2rlaCPptQU

I believe I was at this video game, however I remember it more since later on Arsene Wenger was inquired about the surface, and began speaking about Arteta’s small feet as the factor for the trajectory on the ball. I can’t discover the quotes now, however that’s certainly what he stated. I couldn’t have actually dreamed it.

It’s far too prosaic for among my dreams.

Cesc Fabregas v Aston Villa

Sorry Villa fans. This was at a time when we were initially presented to the concept of gamers remaining in the ‘red zone’. Cesc began this video game on the bench, was presented as a sub in the 57th minute, changing Denilson. He scored two times, consisting of that outstanding totally free kick, then twanged his currently extended hammy and needed to go off in the 84th minute with Aaron Ramsey changing him.

—

No doubt I’ve missed out on more than a couple of, so if you can discover video of any that doesn’t appear like it was shot by a man standing under a blanket with a hand-cranked video camera, do not hesitate to publish them in the Arses.

For now, have an excellent one.