14. Ian Wright becomes club’s record goal scorer – 1997
‘Wrighty’ wrote his name into Arsenal folklore by breaking Cliff Bastin’s club record of 178 goals.
At the start of the 199798 season, Wright had 174 goals and three goals in the opening two games of the season – against Leeds and Coventry – moved him to within a goal of Bastin’s mark.
Suddenly, Wright’s torrent of goals dried up. He went three games without finding the net – rare for a man with Wright’s scoring rate – and an international break extended his drought to over a month.
When Bolton visited north London on September 13, Wright just wanted it done and dusted.
Bolton took a shock lead at Highbury but, 20 minutes in, Wright latched onto a pass and drove firmly past Keith Branagan into the bottom corner.
No doubt relieved to end his barren run, Wright ripped off his shirt to reveal the message: ‘179 – Just Done It’. In fact, it was No 178.
The T-shirt would get a more timely airing just five minutes later.
Patrick Vieira challenged for a loose ball and, with the keeper stranded, Wright had a tap-in from no more than five yards. Of all his 179 goals for Arsenal, it was probably the simplest.
Cue pandemonium at Highbury.
The whole Arsenal side rushed to congratulate the club’s new record goalscorer and the home fans gave the striker an ovation which lasted long after Bolton were ready to restart the game.
It was the perfect day for a man who deserves his place in history as an Arsenal great.