Arsenal have a pretty mediocre record when it comes to Boxing Day fixtures.

During the Gunners’ history, they’ve played 82 games on the 26 December. Out of those, they’ve won 35, which is 42.48%.

In the Premier League, Arsenal have won 12, lost two and drawn two out of 19 played.

In recent years, Arsene Wenger’s side’s results have ranged from getting thrashed 4-0 away to Southampton, to beating West Brom 1-0 at home. A lot of this is down to Arsenal’s inconsistency and unpredictable record over the festive period.

Although that’s another issue entirely.

Boxing Day football has become a great British tradition and whether you win or lose, it’s just great to watch…

Sorry, that’s a lie. You want to win. You always want to win.

What are Arsenal’s five best Box Day wins?

12000 – Henry’s hattrick

Henriffic

Thierry Henry managed his first Arsenal hattrick on Boxing Day 2000 during a 6-1 win over Leicester.

The forward would go on to score seven more hattricks during his time in north London.

Patrick Vieira, Freddie Ljungberg and Tony Adams also scored during the match, which took place at Highbury.

Ade Akinbiyi netted the Foxes’ only goal.

210-1 to the Arsenal

In 1895, the Gunners beat Cliftonville Athletic 10-1.

It may have only been a friendly but that’s pretty impressive scoreline if ever I saw one.

3Late winners for the win

Snake

In 2006, Arsenal beat Watford 2-1 on Boxing Day despite not really deserving it.

The first goal was from Gilberto Silva and the second came from Robin van Persie in the 83rd minute.

The Gunners had been struggling at the time and the win pushed them up to third in the Premier League table. Watford were relegated.

Arsenal ended up coming fourth (shocker) but it was still a nice little festival treat.

4North London Derby

NLD

In 1983, Arsenal beat Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 at White Hart Lane.

Braces from Raphael Meade and Charlie Nicholas meant that Steve Archibald and Graham Roberts’ goals meant very little.

The Gunners also beat them on Boxing Day in 1979 but that was ‘just’ 1-0, which Alan Sunderland scored.

1983 was the last time a North London Derby was played on Boxing Day.

5Top of the league

Arsenal and Chelsea on Boxing Day, 2001
Fisticuffs

Arsenal beat Chelsea 2-1 in 2001 at Highbury in order to take the top spot. The Gunners would go on to win the title.

The Blues, who finished sixth that term, went ahead in the 31st minute through Frank Lampard but Arsenal came back to win via Sol Campbell and Sylvain Wiltord.

Beating our London rivals is pretty nifty at the best of times but what a Christmas present, eh?

However, it should probably be noted that Chelsea didn’t really find themselves until a few years later. Therefore, beating them on Boxing Day in 2001 didn’t mean quite as much as it would nowadays.