If today's fine strikes have whet your appetite for what 2017 has to offer in football, then there's not long to wait for next round of Premier League fixtures with six games taking place tomorrow.

Fancy anyone's chances of bagging another scorpion kick? Join us tomorrow to find out if anyone's takes up the challenge.

See you later.

Not seen Olivier Giroud's goal yet? Watch it on Match of the Day 2 tonight on BBC One at 23:00 GMT. Well worth staying up for.

Defeat leaves Crystal Palace one place and two points above the relegation zone, with a massive game against Swansea coming up on Tuesday. 

"We've got a big game, bigger than this game, on Tuesday night," said Palace boss Sam Allardyce. "Our season won't be defined by results against the top six. What we do when we play the teams in the bottom half of the league will be the defining reason of whether or not we get out of the bottom half.

"Nothing turns around quick this time of the year. If we are going to be really good it will probably be March before we can pull away, if we struggle it will probably go to the very end. If we are going to get out of trouble now we need four or five wins on the trot. I have every confidence in the players that it will turn around and hopefully as quick as possible."

Bernard Makonjo IV: When Giroud's goal is better than your entire life.

Bernard certainly rates Giroud's goal.

Jeff Fletcher: Sorry neither Mkhitaryan or Giroud goals were scorpions. You need both feet off the ground for scorpion a la Higuita.

Jeff is feeling pernickety.

Robert Mukans: Lower limb deflection towards goal, got lucky.

And Robert isn't having any of it. A concise view of Twitter's reaction to Giroud's goal.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger, speaking to BBC Sport: "What is great for us is that it was at the end of a strong move and after that it is down to reflex. It is not impossible to score but you must have reflex. The cross doesn't come in ideally and you have to do something special and that is what Olivier did.

"I have been spoilt over the years with all the great strikers - Bergkamp, Henry. You remember them because they are linked with special goals. This will be the Giroud goal forever.

"You can only focus on the next game. Every one of them is difficult but you just try to win the next game."

Finally, Wenger is asked about his transfer window plans. 

"Nothing planned at the moment," he adds. "You look at the players we missed today - no Cazorla and Ozil, we hope to get them back. Welbeck is coming back - we have a big squad."

Image source, PA

Arsene Wenger has seen goals fly in from the likes of Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp and Robin van Persie over the years, but even he seems taken aback by Olivier Giroud's strike.

"It was a great counter-attack at great speed, his reflex surprised everybody who knows football and that’s what makes the goal great," he said.

"I have been a bit spoiled over the year by the exceptional quality of the players I’ve had, but it will be remembered as an exceptional goal.

"Olly is very good in front of goal, but I’ve never seen this kind of goal from him."

We knew Bellerin was lying!

Not so many smiles from the man that was beaten by Giroud's strike. 

"Obviously it was a wonder goal, there seems to be a lot of wonder goals going in recently," Palace 'keeper Wayne Hennessey told Sky Sports.

"I haven't seen it again but it’s hit the bar and gone in so it’s a fantastic strike from him. 

"The Swansea game is one we need to win, so hopefully we can get three points from that."

Olivier Giroud believes his goal was the best he has ever scored. 

"It is not difficult to say it is the best one," he told BBC Sport. "I was a bit lucky but it was the only thing I could do, the ball was behind me and I tried to hit it with a backheel. Maybe [Henrikh Mkhitaryan's] goal inspired me, it's the only thing you can do in that position. It is nice for me and the team because we start the year with a win.

"We were struggling a bit when we came back from the dressing room so it was nice to finish off the game and keep the ball. We have a few games to come before the very important Chelsea one so we want to to keep winning before we go to Stamford Bridge."

There's a big smile on Olivier Giroud's face as he's shown a replay of his extraordinary scorpion kick on Sky Sports.

"I have maximum luck, it’s just about luck," he said. 

"Not at all have I done anything like that before. I tried to deflect it, I think it’s my best one."

Hector Bellerin says that he's seen Giroud score goals like that in training, but the Frenchman's sheepish laugh gives that porky away...

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 live

It was an incredible finish from Giroud, but Arsenal were really solid today in every compartment.

Work to do for Sam Allardyce, a lot of work to do. He's never gone down, Sam, but he's got a big job to do here.

Image source, Reuters

Comfortable stuff in the end for Arsenal as they move up to third with the three points. Tottenham are fourth with Manchester City dropping to fifth.

Wayne Hennessey denies Arsenal a late third as he bats away Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's low drive with what is sure to be the final effort of the game.

Aleks Yakubssohn: Ok, no miracle comeback for Palace this time. Allardyce out of his depth, even if it's vs Arsenal. Why'd they fire Pardew?

How's that for a snap judgement?

James Tomkins then heads behind the Arsenal free-kick and the corner is dealt with. 

We're into the first of three minutes added on.

James Tomkins picks up a yellow for a late, late challenge on Aaron Ramsey. Arsenal have a free-kick on the right side of the Palace box. 

Martin Keown
Former Arsenal defender on BBC Radio 5 live

It's important to keep clean sheets and build confidence. 

You want to build confidence in all departments, and defenders take pride in those clean sheets.

Image source, Reuters

A quick counter ends with Aaron Ramsey whipping a shot wide of the right-hand post for Arsenal. 

It's been an efficient, rather than classy, display by Arsenal. Olivier Giroud's strike lifting this result above most routine wins.

Yes, as this tweet probably tells you, there's not a great deal going on on the pitch...