17 things we loved this weekend: Xhaka, Bale, Neymar, Podolski…
It’s been another fantastic weekend of football as Arsenal & Liverpool recorded statement victories in the Premier League and Gerard Pique played his last match for Barcelona at Camp Nou.
Elsewhere, the FA Cup first round provided the usual pieces of magic and there were some jaw-dropping goals from across the globe as the action left us all on the edge of our seats.
We’ve collected 17 things that we absolutely adored this weekend, ranging from the brilliant to the bizarre.
Granit Xhaka
Make Xhaka do all post-match interviews from now on.
"From the start until the end I think we deserved to win today."
"We were the much much better team today."
Apologies for missing the top of the interview – some fruity language from Granit Xhaka… 🤭
🎙 @TheDesKelly pic.twitter.com/ErCA0YRL8h
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) November 6, 2022
Gareth Bale
Just look at those American limbs.
HE'S GARETH ******* BALE. #ForLosAngeles pic.twitter.com/yqqi67RSdz
— LAFC (@LAFC) November 5, 2022
Gerard Pique
It’s suddenly got a bit dusty in here…
EM🥲TION. @3gerardpique 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OWgMH8NvdI
— FC Barcelona (@fcbarcelona_fra) November 5, 2022
Antonio Conte
How did Conte avoid getting sent off for this?
Antonio Conte is FIRED UP! 😳😠 pic.twitter.com/serPNAyYYe
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 6, 2022
Lukas Podolski
Congratulations to Podolski for winning the 2023 Puskas Award.
Stop that Podolski. pic.twitter.com/CWNCO047ck
— Stop That Football (@stopthatfooty) November 5, 2022
Connor Wickham
Beautiful hit but hands up who knew Wickham played for Forest Green Rovers?
Last minute ✅
Halfway line ✅
Top corner ✅Inch perfect by Connor Wickham to send Forest Green Rovers through to the second round of the #FACup
📽️ @BBCMOTDpic.twitter.com/HwLw0Jj5nv
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) November 5, 2022
Neymar
Arguably the drippiest footballer in the world right now.
Youri Tielemans
An absolutely disgusting goal from the Leicester midfielder.
An absolute ROCKET from Tielemans! SENSATIONAL 💥🤯 pic.twitter.com/wicf3xVyzY
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 5, 2022
Miguel Almiron
Give him the Ballon d’Or.
Miguel Almiron's first 1,327 days as a @premierleague player:
154 shots
10 goalsAlmiron's last 36 days as a @premierleague player:
23 shots (at HT v Southampton)
7 goals— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) November 6, 2022
Ben White
Cheeky. Very cheeky.
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) November 6, 2022
Arsenal
We’re pretty sure this undercover Gunner enjoyed his afternoon.
An Arsenal fan in the home end.
The best video you’ll see today 🤣
📽️ – @jlafc1 pic.twitter.com/D1WzIaxAzu
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) November 6, 2022
Bournemouth
In fairness, seeing your side throw away another two-goal lead would rattle the calmest of individuals.
This Bournemouth fan doing his postgame analysis is so rattled he’s forgotten it was Bonfire Night 😂 #LUFC pic.twitter.com/4Xp8kbd5L0
— Calum Archibald (@calumarchie) November 6, 2022
Pep Guardiola
Salty Pep is our favourite Pep.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic said Pep Guardiola's ego will hamper Erling Haaland's ability at Manchester City.
Pep's response is just perfect Pep 😂😂#ManCity #MCFC pic.twitter.com/4y8pJRe7re
— Mike Minay (@MikeMinay) November 4, 2022
Alvechurch
The magic of the FA Cup was evident as lowly Alvechurch beat League One side Cheltenham Town on Saturday.
Alvechurch Limbs. pic.twitter.com/6sFIsRCMEM
— MUNDIAL (@MundialMag) November 5, 2022
Rotherham United
Sportsmanship still exists in English football. Who knew?
— Out Of Context Football (@nocontextfooty) November 5, 2022
Forest v Brentford
It wouldn’t have been Bonfire Night without some on-pitch fireworks at the City Ground. We didn’t bank on them coming before kick-off though…
Tensions seemed to boil over between Brentford's players and some of the Nottingham Forest ground staff before today's kick-off. 😯 pic.twitter.com/QQDP59uWSN
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 5, 2022
West Didsbury & Chorlton
We want to befriend this pup immediately.
Kicking every ball @nonleaguedogs pic.twitter.com/V2RhZWtv6E
— Christian Allen (@ChristianAllen8) November 5, 2022
Aldi
We’ve spent a good five minutes chuckling at ‘Marrowdona’.
A football team, a Christmas Carrot and… a missed flight? #KevinTheCarrot pic.twitter.com/1LyscXfYJx
— Aldi Stores UK (@AldiUK) November 6, 2022
READ NEXT: 9 of the best World Cup adverts: Ronaldo, Robson, Rooney & more