In the Cup Winner’s Cup final of 1995, this great goal broke Arsenal hearts and even spawned a chant of its own. ‘Nayim, from the halfway line…’
By Adrian Collins
The JOE office often sits back in remembrance of some of the best nights in European football, and the most memorable moments from the past as we stroke our collective beards.
Today, it came to our attention that one of our favourite goals, this brilliant effort from Nayim for Real Zaragoza against Arsenal in the Cup Winners Cup final, happened on this day back in 1995.
The Arsenal squad that day had some of the club’s legends in it, like Ian Wright, Nigel Winterburn, Tony Adams and Paul Merson. Juan Esnaider put the Spanish side in front, but John Hartson grabbed the goal that put them back on level terms 15 minutes before the end, and the sides could not be separated at the final whistle.
With the game tied at 1-1 in extra time and penalties looking like they were unavoidable, Nayim took what can fairly be described as a speculative effort from 40 yards, and lobbed the ball over David Seaman in the Arsenal goal.
Mohammed Ali Amar, as he was less commonly known, signed for the Spanish side from Spurs in 1993, and came back to haunt his old London rivals with this absolute belter.
Current Brighton and Hove Albion manager Gus Poyet, who was to spend a long time in London himself at Chelsea and Spurs, was there to lift the trophy too.
Arsenal have, of course, had a slightly better time of it since they lost this particular game, with Real Zaragoza amassing huge debts and staring down the barrel of relegation, again, this season. Tonight, on the anniversary of this goal, they face Levante away, with their fate in their own hands against a side who don’t have much to play for.
Arsenal, on the other hand, went on to win a few trophies or something. Premier League? Never heard of it…
Anyway, with this beautiful goal turning 18 and now legally allowed to drink, we decided to give it the birthday celebration it deserves, so sit back and enjoy. They don’t make ’em like this anymore.
