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Arsenal news: Gunners become third team to reach 2,000 Premier League goals

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match at Villa Park, Birmingham.

Gunners join Manchester United and Liverpool in reaching 2,000-goal landmark in the Premier League.

Arsenal became the third team to score 2,000 Premier League goals thanks to Bukayo Saka's first-half strike against Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime.

Only Manchester United and Liverpool had managed to score 2,000 goals in the Premier League before Mikel Arteta's side joined the exclusive club at Villa Park.

The Gunners have been regular heavy scorers over the years, but it didn't start so well for them as they only scored 40 goals in 42 games in the inaugural season of the Premier League.

Centre-half Steve Bould scored their first goal of that 1992/93 season but having the likes of Ian Wright, Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry and Robin van Persie among their ranks has helped them bang in the goals over the years.

Last year's tally of just 56 was their lowest since 1995/96 and saw Liverpool close the gap, before overtaking them during another prolific season for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Arsenal, though, are still almost neck-and-neck with the Reds after moving into the 2,000s just a week after their rivals.

Planet Sport looks at some of the prolific strikers that helped take the Gunners there.

Thierry Henry

Goals: 175 Games: 258

Minutes per goal: 122

Mr Arsenal after his exploits down the years for the Gunners, firing in an obscene amount of goals, while combining ferocious pace with a silky smooth touch.

Henry would glide past defenders, curling in a finish that keepers seemingly couldn't stop even though they knew what was coming, while he could also fire in a rocket from outside the box.

Henry had it all.

Ian Wright

Goals: 104 Games: 191

Minutes per goal: 154

What can you say about Ian Wright - an Arsenal icon and the ultimate predator who could stick goals in from all angles.

Usually with a huge smile on his face as well.

Robin van Persie

Goals: 96 Games: 194

Minutes per goal: 139

The Dutchman was a dynamic and explosive goalscorer who perhaps spoiled his Arsenal legacy by jumping ship to join Man Utd and winning the league with them.

He scored plenty for the Gunners, though, including a wonderful volley against Charlton - even if it did come off his shin.

Dennis Bergkamp

Goals: 87 Games: 315

Minutes per goal: 255

Not a prolific goalscorer, but the Dutchman was a sublime talent responsible for some epic moments and goals for the Gunners down the years.

His hat-trick against Leicester was magnificent and 'that' goal against Newcastle still defies belief - with some still convinced that he didn't mean it.

Make up your own mind...

Olivier Giroud

Goals: 73 Games: 180

Minutes per goal: 155

The Frenchman is constantly underrated wherever he goes, but he had a good scoring record at Arsenal with a minutes per goal rate of around the same as Wright.

Plus, Giroud scored one of the most ridiculous goals in Premier League history, and unlike Bergkamp's he definitely meant it...

READ MORE: England’s Dirty Dozen - the 12 players called up by Southgate yet to receive an international cap

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