1) INTER MILAN 1-5 ARSENAL
Champions League
November 25, 2003
My first two choices were high-scoring affairs capped by stunning individual goals from Thierry Henry. They are head, shoulders and probably half-a-torso above anything else this season given the criteria set out. But the sensational display at the San Siro just pips it for me.

Remember the significance. Arsenal had taken one point from their first three Champions League games (including a 3-0 reverse at Highbury by Inter on the opening night of Group B). Victory was a necessity.

Remember the absentees - Vieira, Campbell, Lauren, Gilberto, Bergkamp, Wiltord. Remember the then relatively unknown names of Justin Hoyte, Gael Clichy and Michal Papadopulos on the bench. It smacked of a squad at full stretch.

But they delivered. It was Inter’s second ever Champions League defeat at the San Siro, their first home loss to English opposition for over 40 years and they went into the game having not conceded a Serie A goal for more than a month!

Henry breached their defence early but Vieri responded with a goal that Jens Lehmann told the website afterwards was "three times lucky". Ljungberg restored the lead then, five minutes from time, Henry conjured up a clinching third that combined pace, vision, confidence and lethal finishing. He left Javier Zanetti, (yes THAT Javier Zanetti, the Argentinian defender with 70 caps) trailing in his wake to spear home a shot past Francesco Toldo. Pires and Edu added late goals but 5-1 did not flatter Arsenal.

They knew they had to win or that modern barometer of footballing greatness - the Champions League - would have been pointing straight towards stormy weather. However they met the challenge and exceeded all expectations.

My report from the San Siro that night ended with one word - incredible. I stand by that.