Top 5 highest scoring London Derbies in the Premier League

Patrick Vieira celebrates his first goal for Arsenal during the FA Carling Premier League match against Charlton Athletic played at Highbury in London. Arsenal won the game 5-3.

3. Arsenal 5-3 Charlton Athletic (August 2000)

In another 8-goal thriller, Arsenal beat Charlton Athletic 5-3 at Highbury. It was early days in the 2000-01 season and Arsenal were top of the table with Charlton in 14th spot. It was a game where the spotlight was on Patrick Vieira, who had received a 5-match suspension and was to serve it after this game. And he took his football to another level by scoring two goals in the game.

Arsenal had taken the lead in the first half through Vieira, only for Charlton to lead 1-2 at the break courtesy of goals from Andy Hunt. Wenger must have said some strong words in the dressing room as Arsenal came out roaring and equalised through a Thierry Henry volley after some sweet trickery. But Charlton took the lead again Graeme Stuart scored from Lisbie’s cross.

Vieira then made it 3-3 after a first time shot form Kanu’s cut back pass on the right. Thierry Henry then latched on to a Gilles Grimandi cross and scored from a narrow angle! With the score reading 4-3, Arsenal were not out of it yet as Charlton desperately searched for an equaliser. But Silvinho ensured that the Gunners got all three points when he scored in the 89th minute.

After the game, Wenger praised Vieira, who was contemplating retirement for feeling victimised, “He was outstanding, exceptional. And his mental reaction to a crazy week for him was just great.”