By all means correct us if we’re wrong, but we’re pretty certain the words ‘Per’, ‘Mertesacker’, ‘overhead’ and ‘kick’ have never appeared in the same sentence together.
This point considered, we were understandably excited when Arsenal’s official Twitter account tweeted this on Thursday morning:
Per @mertesacker with an overhead kick?! It's just happened!
Watch 👉 https://t.co/W8t9lelbgp #ArsenalinSydney ⚫ 1-0 🔵 (4) pic.twitter.com/tbKsdKJ8k9
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) July 13, 2017
With Arsenal playing Sydney FC on the first leg of their preseason tour, it seemed the lanky German had put them 1-0 up in spectacular fashion.
After doing a bit of investigating, we’re pleased to say we’re able to provide you with footage of this very goal. Whether or not it actually counts as an ‘overhead kick’ is another matter, however…
With Arsenal’s Australian opponents failing to clear a corner, the ball falls to the club’s future academy manager in the six yard box. With his back to goal, he manages to hook the ball into the corner of the goal with his right foot. Decent finish, but, according to many that have seen it, not exactly an overhead kick…
It wasn't an overhead kick tho was it
— Joe Rapley (@JoeRapley8) July 13, 2017
That was not an overhead kick, pal
— Charlie (@Charliearliee) July 13, 2017
Because it's mertesacker and because he's as mobile as a tank we will say that's an overhead kick👏👌
— Nicø (@Anonymous1076) July 13, 2017