Arsenal Star Nominated For The FIFA Puskas Award For His Mesmeric Goal

By The Editor
on 24th September 2017

Olivier Giroud looking to claim illustrious prize…

Arsenal forward Olivier Giroud is on the shortlist to win the FIFA Puskas award for his sensational effort against Crystal Palace last season.

Subsequent to Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan wowing onlookers by netting what is now universally known as the ‘scorpion goal’, Giroud wiped that from everyone’s memory days later.

After starting off a counter-attack inside our own half, the ball found itself to Alexis Sanchez on the left-wing who delivered a poor ball into the area. That certainly didn’t distract Giroud as he hooked the ball with his heel, directing it off the bar and into the back of the net.

It was a show-stopping effort and the goal will also be remembered for Gary Neville’s reaction on Sky Sports as he interrupted Martin Tyler with his trademark scream.

Giroud is up against a few sensational efforts, including Mario Mandzukic’s bicycle kick in the Champions League final against Real Madrid.

The Frenchman is now our third nominee for this award since its inception in 2009, with former Gunners Emmanuel Adebayor and Samir Nasri receiving acknowledgement for their respective Champions League efforts.

The Puskas Award is initially voted for by the fans to determine who makes it onto the next stage and if our fanbase’s history of online polls is anything to go by, Giroud stands a good chance.

Check out the nominees in the video above.