THROWBACK TUESDAYS: ARE THESE THE TWO BEST PREMIER LEAGUE SCORPION KICK GOALS EVER?

Featured Image Credit: The Sun

In December 2016 we were treated to two goals of the highest calibre in the Premier League. The wonderful division that has a vast reputation for unpredictability stuck again. Just after Christmas two goals were scored in the space of a week that would go down in the history books.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan, signed in the summer of 2016 prior to the wondergoal, had cost Manchester United £30m to secure his signature from German outfit Borussia Dortmund. The tricky midfielder was well known from his time in the Bundesliga for his flair and guile, which he displayed with an outrageous goal against struggling Sunderland.

With United 2-0 up and cruising at Old Trafford, in the 85th minute Zlatan Ibrahimovic whipped in a ball from the right hand side, it was slightly behind Mkhitaryan but that was no problem for the Armenian, he adjusted his body allowing him to perform a scorpion kick from about 14 yards. The ball flew past an astonished Mannone in net and has been dubbed as one of the greatest goals ever scored at The Theatre of Dreams.

Just five days later Arsenal played Crystal Palace at home. The Eagles travelled to the Emirates just above the drop zone, to face an Arsenal team that sat inside the Champions League places.

In the 16th minute the Gunners were given a chance to counter attack their opponents, with some great flicks and build up play by Giroud and Sanchez to beat the Palace press, the home side found themselves in a promising position.

Alexis Sanchez carried the ball down the flank and then delivered an average looking ball towards his French team-mate Oliver Giroud, who, like Mkhitaryan, made the most of a misdirected cross. By using the back of his heel, the forward produced a scintillating scorpion kick that bounced down off the bar and past the goalkeeper.

The goal was looked on with extreme admiration from the rest of the footballing world and even won the 2017 Fifa Puskas Award.

It was an unforgettable week of football and a great advert for the Premier League, there was always an argument floating around as to who’s scorpion had the most venom, but it's rare that we even get to experience goals of such beauty. A pair of classic goals that will forever be remembered for the sheer ambitiousness to even attempt them.