Not everyone agrees with the American outlook on the beautiful game, but our friends across the pond may have found a handy new way of rating goals.
That’s right, the emoji system.
A solid goal that you’d stand and applaud but no more? A clapping emoji will suffice.
The sort of strike that elicits an audible gasp? Screaming face is your friend.
But for something really special? The fire emoji was invented for a reason, people, and that reason was Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s solo goal for Arsenal against Chivas in California.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, that was 🔥🔥🔥. https://t.co/q0ZxRDJkif
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) August 1, 2016
It’s only appropriate for the land of the hamburger to respond to a special Ox with fire, and this was very special.
We were tempted to say it’s the kind of virtuoso run and finish that England could have really done with at Euro 2016, but then we remembered that Marcus Rashford and Ross Barkley – the two squad members who have shown they are capable of runs like this – got a grand total of 21 minutes (plus stoppage time) at the tournament.
That’s not stopped Arsenal fans getting excited for their returning midfielder, who sat out the European Championships through injury.
Lord Ox's goal was the coldest, the finish was sublime, first time. 😢
— 🦛 (@topboyeman) August 1, 2016
if messi had scored the ox's goal last night it would win the puskas award
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr4) August 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/TikaTakaWilsh/status/759936638457970688
Fucking Hell I've just seen the Ox goal!! Incredible!!
— Martyn Morgan (@WelshGooner95) August 1, 2016
However, after his struggles in the recent past, the optimism is a bit more subdued than usual.
Ox’s goal last night was good. Hopefully doesnt get injured.
— Hon. Kojo Khan🇦🇪 (@_CoreyOwen_) August 1, 2016
Great to see Ox score another goal last night. We all hope this will be the turning point. But it won't. He'll get injured again.
— S (@STWEETSB) August 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/sachin15799/status/760018155011846144
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