Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch exclaimed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s goal in Saturday’s Community Shield victory over his old team Liverpool would be something former Gunner Thierry Henry would have been proud of.
The Gabon international put the North Londoners in front in the 12th minute with a fierce shot that gave Alisson Becker in goal no chance.
As was hoped by fans on social media, Auba paid tribute with the famous “Wakanda Forever” salute to Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman who died from colon cancer at the age of 43 on Friday.
Takumi Minamino equalised for Liverpool in the 73rd minute, but the Gunners held firm to prevent them from getting a winner in normal time. When it got to penalties, Aubameyang got the winner in a 5-4 triumph.
Crouch believes the Gunners are growing from strength to strength under Mikel Arteta who has secured his second trophy in the space of 28 days having lifted the FA Cup on August 1 with Aubameyang again the catalyst.
"It was beautiful football," Crouch said on BT Sport as reported by the Express.
"The two runners, I think it's [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles and [Kieran] Tierney, they create this goal.
"Obviously it's all about Aubameyang and the finish but those two runs create it and they just give Neco Williams something to think about.
"And from then it was [Thierry] Henry-like, it was a finish he would have been proud of.
"If anyone looked sort of sloppy in the opening minutes, it was Liverpool.
"Arsenal started really, really well and they've gone from strength to strength.
"In the last sort of 15-20 minutes Liverpool have come in, they've dominated possession, and Andrew Robertson has looked dangerous down the left with the crosses and I think it's a matter of time.
"But I think Arsenal have defended very, very well and nullified Salah and Mane to very little."
Crouch also praised Anglo-Nigerian winger Bukayo Saka, who assisted Aubameyang for his goal and was at the heart of much of the Gunners' attacking moves.
"He's been involved in everything, Saka," Crouch said.
"I've been very, very impressed with him. He's been picking the right passes, here he is again involved, creating the chance for Nketiah.
"They've got some talented players, Saka included obviously, I've been impressed by Arsenal."
