Trying to pick out one Thierry Henry hat trick is like going to the Playboy mansion and only trying to pull one model or buying pic ‘n’ mix but only getting fizzy cola bottles. This one always stands out for me simply because in my mind, it showed that Arsenal had finally ‘arrived’ in Europe. Winning like that in a potentially difficult away game at the Stadio Olympico convinced me that Arsenal could be considered

How has your summer been? Mine has been pretty good. Mainly because I’ve purposely ignored all (well, most) Arsenal related news. I see headlines, take a second to process then carry on about my business. The impression I seem to get from Twitter, Facebook and my homicidal housemate is that things have not been particularly rosy in the garden of Ashburton. I did go to the Saturday of the Emirates Cup last week on a free ticket in a box and spent most of the day guzzling down San Miguels so barely remember the two goal surrender against Boca. I’m totally zen though. Trying not to stress. By the time I start caring again in a few days, all will be well and the team will be ready to launch an assault on the quadruple, right? No sense in working yourself up into a frenzy before a competitive ball is kicked in anger is my truly deluded and blinkered philosophy this year.

Lack of competitive football on the telly has meant I’ve resorted to old DVDs and YouTube to get satiate my hunger for the Arse over the last few months (probably could have worded that slightly better…). Remembering the good times and all that. Solid at the back, clinical in front of goal, trophies!! Some fans might too young to ever realise that these things ever happened at Arsenal.

Yes, there was actually a time when most players representing the club actually cared and were proud to wear the cannon on their chest – not prepared to jump ship and soon as someone else wafted a wad of pinkies in their face. That said, the club actually used to show something in the way of ambition and weren’t simply content with being second/third/forth best…

But I digress. Here are some of my favourite hat tricks for you to digest. No particular order. Feel free to add your own in the comments.

Bobby Pires/Jermaine Pennant v Southampton – 2003

I still remember that beautiful sunny May afternoon when a relegation threatened Leeds side came to Highbury and ended the title dream. Whatever though. That was to be the last league defeat The  Arsenal were to suffer for 17 months as they were about to begin the incredible 49 game unbeaten run. That epic sequence began with a comprehensive 6-1 win against Southampton where remarkably, two players bagged trebles.

Rumours that fought over the match ball at full time were denied. Pires simply shot Pennant a sultry look and the youngster went weak at the knees.

God v Leicester – 1997

People often forget this game actually ended in a disappointing draw. Bergkamp’s hat trick goal was so good many fans actually forgot their own name!

Thierry v Roma – 2003

Trying to pick out one Thierry Henry hat trick is like going to the Playboy mansion and only trying to pull one model or buying pic ‘n’ mix but only getting fizzy cola bottles. This one always stands out for me simply because in my mind, it showed that Arsenal had finally ‘arrived’ in Europe. Winning like that in a potentially difficult away game at the Stadio Olympico convinced me that Arsenal could be considered among Europe’s elite…

Of course, naturally, we failed to qualify from the group.

Romford Pele v Werder Bremen – 2000

Ah, the UEFA Cup run of 2000. A competition everyone dismissed and claimed not to care about until we got to the final and faced a team we should have beaten but ultimately lost. Sound familiar? In the quarter finals, Arsenal went to Germany and found inspiration from an unlikely source. Astonishingly this treble by Ray Parlour wasn’t to be his only one in an Arsenal shirt after he repeated the trick against Newcastle at Highbury less than a year later. Sing it with me, “Oooooh, Aaaah…”

Kanu v Chelsea – 1999

2-0 down away from home to Chelsea in the pouring rain? Epic comeback to win 3-2? Last minute winner? ‘Kan-u’ believe it? 

I still cant…

There are numerous others that could make the cut obviously including Alan Smith icing the cake on a fine season against Man Utd in 1991 as well as Ian Wright and Kevin Campbell’s constant torment of Ipswich Town during the 1990s. But alas, as this is a video driven post, none of the many video sharing sites available on this here internet provide the footage. Boo!

Rather than bicker about the current state of affairs, I’ve decided I’ll be happier living off past glories. If anyone is actually reading this, I put it to you; what has been your favourite Arsenal hat trick? Would love to hear from older fans too. Alan Sunderland at White Hart Lane in 1978?