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World Football: Mikel Arteta Scores the Only Goal You Need to See This Weekend

Michael Cummings@MikeCummings37X.com LogoWorld Football Lead WriterMarch 24, 2012

Normally I'd steer clear of the English Premier League in this space, because, well, everybody has already seen all the highlights.

But Mikel Arteta… dang.

That's probably the most appropriate response to Arteta's laser-guided free kick for Arsenal against Aston Villa on Saturday. The Spanish midfielder's golazo made it 3-0 in second-half stoppage time, and the goal was well worth the wait.

Even if everyone has already seen it, we can all stand to watch this one again. Finding a video that will embed in an article is impossible, so you'll have to click here. But trust me, you'll be glad you did.

Arteta hit the ball about 30 yards out, from the left side of the Aston Villa box. And not only did he beat the wall, but he also schooled Villa keeper Shay Given.

Watch as Given flails helplessly at the ball as it sails into the side netting at the far post. He has absolutely no chance.

Upon closer inspection, it's easy to see why. Arteta his the ball with absolutely no spin. It's a knuckleball Phil Niekro could be proud of.

When you hit a ball that sweetly with no spin on it, the goalkeeper has no clue where it's going. And that's what makes Arteta's shot even more impressive.

That makes five league goals this season for Arteta, three more than Chelsea's Fernando Torres and two more than Liverpool's Andy Carroll.

But who's counting, right?