Albrighton & Nike CTR360 Nets EPL 20,000th Goal
Aston Villa winger Marc Albrighton etched his name into Premier League history on Wednesday night, scoring the 20,000th goal in the Premier League. Wearing his Nike CTR360 Maestri II football boots, Albrighton scored the landmark goal in front of the Holte End, drawing his side level in Aston Villa's 2-1 defeat to Arsenal.
'It was great to score the 20,000th goal.' Albrighton said. 'Starting my career a couple of years ago, I would never have thought I would be the one to net such a landmark goal. I remember when Les Ferdinand scored the 10,000th and to score the 20,000th, in front of our own fans is something I will remember and be reminded of for the rest of my life.'
On a busy night of Premier League fixtures up and down the country, Albrighton's record-setting effort came nine minutes into the second half after the 22-year old capitalised on an Arsenal defensive error between Thomas Vermaelan and Per Mertesacker. Aston Villa donated the £20,000 cheque from Barclays to their official charity partner.
Albrighton was wearing his new Nike CTR360 Maestri II football boots as he slotted home the Premier League landmark goal. Nike was there when it all began in 1992, after Sheffield United's Brian Deane scored the first ever Premier League goal wearing a pair of Nike Tiempo Premier football boots. Nearly 20 years on and the Nike CTR360 now has its own place in the Premier League record books.
It was a night of landmark goals with Robin Van Persie equalling Thierry Henry's club record of 34 for the most Premier League goals in a calender year, before Yossi Benayoun secured all three points for the Gunners with an 87th minute decider. Veteran Ryan Giggs scored the 19,999th goal in Manchester United's 5-0 victory over Fulham, meaning he has now scored in all 20 seasons since the Premier Leagues introduction.
While it may have been more fitting for Robin Van Persie or Ryan Giggs to hit the 20,000 mark, Albrighton was on hand to make it an Aston Villa and Nike honour. Here's to the the next 10,000! Join the conversation online.
