History

GGG44: Nigel Winterburn v Chelsea, 1997

It's time to reveal the Gunners' Greatest 50 Goals - as voted for by Arsenal's fans.

Nigel Winterburn didn’t often find the net, but when he did it was usually spectacular.

This last-gasp piledriver was up there with the best of his and what’s more, it settled a topsy-turvy five-goal thriller against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - certainly worthy of a place at 44.

After only finishing third the previous season, the Gunners started 1997/98 reasonably well, winning three and drawing three of their opening six fixtures. But Chelsea sat a point above Arsène Wenger’s side when the side’s met on a bright September Sunday.

Gustavo Poyet struck the first blow five minutes before the break but Dennis Bergkamp equalised on the very stroke of half-time. The Dutchman swooped again just before the hour mark but Gianfranco Zola levelled matters again 60 seconds later.

Perhaps a draw was a fair result on the day but Winterburn had other ideas.

There seemed little danger when Patrick Vieira fed the left-back almost 50 yards out with a minute left on the clock. Winterburn strode forward and with no Chelsea player closing him down Winterburn let fly.

The curling, arching effort was in Ed de Goey’s top left-hand corner before he even saw it. It was the worthiest of matchwinners.