Wayne Rooney rolls back the years as Everton striker nets against Arsenal - almost 15 years to the day since debut goal against Gunners at Goodison Park

  • Wayne Rooney scored the opening goal for Everton in their game against Arsenal
  • Striker scored his first Toffees goal against Arsenal back on 19 October 2002
  • Rooney has since gone on to score against the Gunners in 12 calendar years
  • His celebration was remarkably similar as he raised fists to the sky at Goodison

Everton striker Wayne Rooney conjured up memories of October 2002 when he fired his side into the lead against Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The legendary striker netted his first league goal against the same side almost 15 years ago to the day, but has now proved he is still capable of doing it in 2017.

His career took him to Manchester United in 2004, but he is now back in the royal blue of Everton, and Sunday's scenes were remarkably similar to that of 15 years ago.

Wayne Rooney celebrates his first ever Everton goal - against Arsenal 15 years ago
Rooney rolled back the years to score against Arsenal again on Sunday

Wayne Rooney scored his latest goal against Arsenal almost 15 years to the day from the first

On 19 October 2002, Rooney wheels away having scored a 90th minute winner for the Toffees 

On 19 October 2002, Rooney wheels away having scored a 90th minute winner for the Toffees 

On 22 October 2017, Rooney celebrates after netting the first goal of the game against Arsenal

On 22 October 2017, Rooney celebrates after netting the first goal of the game against Arsenal

On that day - 19 October 2002, to be precise - Rooney was a second-half substitute for David Moyes' side, the manager himself in his first year in charge.


The England legend had come on for Tomasz Radzinski with just 10 minutes remaining, before going on to score a last-minute winner at the same end of the stadium as his goal on Sunday. 

Since then, Rooney has gone on to score against Arsenal in 12 calendar years across his two clubs - 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015 and now 2017.

In fact, even the celebration was remarkably similar as Rooney ran across the pitch arms spread wide, before raising his fists to the sky.

Fifteen years on from that day in 2002, only Rooney and Ashley Cole are still playing professional football of the 32 players across both squads.

Cole is plying his trade in MLS with LA Galaxy, while Rooney - now 31 - has shown that he is still capable of playing at the top level for the foreseeable future. 

Rooney watches his curling effort find the back of Petr Cech's goal in the first half at Goodison

Rooney watches his curling effort find the back of Petr Cech's goal in the first half at Goodison

Rooney blows a kiss after netting for the Toffees, but Arsenal got back into it shortly after

Rooney blows a kiss after netting for the Toffees, but Arsenal got back into it shortly after