Five amazing comebacks to rival Arsenal's miracle - Which was greatest?

Arsenal's 7-5 win over Reading will go down in football history as one of the greatest comebacks ever witnessed, it was certainly one of the most enthralling. 

Here are five comebacks, from as recently as this season, to 55 years ago, to compare it to. Where does it rank?

Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal, 2011

While Arsenal were smiling last night, they certainly weren't a year ago at St James Park. The Gunners had raced into a 4-0 lead courtesy of a scintillating first half performance courtesy of goals from Theo Walcott, Johan Djourou, and a brace from Robin van Persie. The match turned on the 50 minute mark when Abou Diaby was sent off, and Newcastle began to get back into it. Joey Barton scored two penalties, with Leon Best also netting. The match's most memorable moment was Cheik Tiote's dramatic leveller, a volley from 25 yards out to tie the game at 4-4, prompting wild celebrations among the home support.

Tottenham 3-5 Manchester United, 2001

This is a match which will have Tottenham fans feeling sick to their stomachs even to this day. Goals from Dean Richards, Christian Ziege and Les Ferdinand put Spurs 3-0 up, and at half time it appeared United would be playing for pride. The Red Devils weren't most teams though, and went out to attack in the second half, being rewarded almost straight away when Andy Cole scored. French defender Laurent Blanc headed a second before Ruud van Nistelrooy scored an equaliser. By this time Spurs were shell shocked, and Juan Veron gave them the lead before David Beckham added further gloss to the scoreline.

Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan, 2005

This match needs no introduction, other than it will surely go down as the most unlikely comeback of all time purely because of its magnitude. It was the Champions League Final, and a Kaka inspired Milan had raced into a 3-0 lead. With Paolo Maldini on one side and Djimi Traore the other, it seemed a monumental mismatch. Yet Liverpool had other ideas. Steven Gerrard inspired the comeback, heading the Reds' first goal, before Vladimir Smicer saw a shot creep in past Dida. Xabi Alonso then scored a penalty Gerrard had won at the second attempt, and the game went to extra time. Liverpool famously prevailed in the shootout, with Jerzy Dudek doing enough to put off the Milan strikers.

Germany 4-4 Sweden, 2012

Is Arsenal's comeback the best even this season? If you are Swedish you may disagree. Germany looked to have this World Cup qualifier a fortnight ago done and dusted by the 55th minute, when they went 4-0 up. With a 100 per cent record in qualifying so far, anything less than victory was unimaginable. Arsenal's Per Mertesacker was among the German goalscorers, but he was not prepared for what would come next. Zlatan Ibrahimovic pulled one back in the 62nd minute, with another soon following, and former Bolton player Johan Elmander made in 43 with 12 minutes to go. Three minutes into injury time Liverpool target Rasmus Elm scored a late equaliser to break the hearts of the usually clinical Germans.

Charlton Athletic 7-6 Huddersfield Town, 1957

Of course the best comebacks in football history haven't all taken place since the turn of the century, and we know we have missed some crackers off the list. One which certainly demands inclusion is the encounter between Charlton and Huddersfield back in 1957. This match even had one more goal in it that the Arsenal-Reading game last night, and the comeback was even more improbable. Huddersfield were 5-1 up with just 28 minutes to go. It should have been an insurmountable lead.  They hadn't counted on Johnny Summers, who scored five for Charlton, and set up the other two. Imagine having him in your fantasy football team. The match ended 7-6 and  with John Ryan scoring an 89th minute winner. Tragically, hero Johnny Summers died at just 34 of cancer five years later.

Which comeback was the greatest?

image: © Russell C