Fifteen years later, is Bergkamp's goal still Arsenal's best ever?
Fifteen years ago today, Dennis Bergkamp produced one of the defining moments of his storied Arsenal career.
His legendary goal against Newcastle on Mar. 2, 2002 -- the classic spin move followed by a calm finish -- has often been hailed as Arsenal's greatest ever.
But does it still deserve that title? Or have more recent efforts eclipsed the Dutch great? Here's a closer look at THAT Bergkamp goal, and some of the other contenders for best ever Gunners goal.
Which one should top the list?
Dennis Bergkamp vs Newcastle -- March 2, 2002
It's easy to see why this legendary effort was voted the club's best ever goal by fans in a recent vote. In many ways, it showcased all of Bergkamp's genius in one fluid and unexpected move. According to Bergkamp, it was the result of an imperfect pass. In the eyes of most Arsenal fans, it was simply pure perfection.
It all started with a pass from Robert Pires that came slightly behind Bergkamp as he ran toward the edge of the box, forcing the Dutchman to improvise. So Bergkamp pivoted, his back toward goal, and used his left foot to flick the ball to one side of defender Nikos Dabizas. Bergkamp himself completed his spin and went around Dabizas on the other side, beat the defender to the ball and finished past Shay Given.
"I thought the ball was a little bit too much behind me," Bergkamp said later. "So I had to turn to control it, touch the ball past the defender, and the quickest way to go towards the ball was turning that way instead of that way. So it looked a bit special, or strange or nice, but that was for me the only option."
Jack Wilshere vs. Norwich -- Oct. 19, 2013
Wilshere's finish may not have been that special but as team moves go, this one is hard to beat. The interchange between Wilshere and Olivier Giroud as they cut through the Norwich defence with a series of one-touch flicks is nothing short of spectacular and the English midfielder keeps his composure to slot the ball cooly into the net. A modern classic that is the ultimate embodiment of Arsene Wenger's recent Arsenal teams.
Olivier Giroud vs. Crystal Palace -- Jan. 1, 2017
The famous "scorpion kick" ensures that Giroud's memory will live on for decades among Arsenal fans, even though they remain split about the Frenchman's place in the team. If Bergkamp's goal was perfect artistry and Wilshere's the ultimate team effort, this one goes down as the once-in-a-lifetime, lightning-from-a-blue-sky strike that had the crowd's jaws dropping as one at the Emirates.
With Alexis Sanchez's cross coming in behind him, Giroud connected with the ball the only way he could - with an acrobatic overhead back-heel kick. Through a mixture of skill and luck, the French striker connected perfectly and fired in an unstoppable shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar.
Surely it's the best finish ever witnessed at the Emirates, but is it the best Arsenal goal ever?
Robin van Persie vs. Charlton -- Sept. 30, 2006
Dubbed "The volley at the Valley", this was arguably the finest of Van Persie's 132 Arsenal goals. The striker secured a 2-1 win over Charlton when he met a cross from Emmanuel Eboue by leaping up in the air and firing an acrobatic left-foot volley into the far top corner. While Van Persie would score plenty of other spectacular volleys before his Premier League career was over, this one was in a league of its own.
Mesut Ozil vs Ludogorets -- Nov. 1, 2016
This was hailed as Ozil's own "Bergkamp moment" as he completed Arsenal's 3-2 comeback win with a solo effort that defied belief because of the combination of skill and sheer audacity. Clear through on goal in the final minutes, Ozil first flicked the ball over the goalkeeper with an almost playful touch, then waited patiently for two defenders to run past him as they expected a shot, before finally slotting home a low finish into an empty net.
Like Bergkamp's goal 15 years prior, it was the effort of a true artist. But which one was better?