1988–89 Arsenal F.C. season

English football club season January 2020 May 2013 Arsenal 1988–89 George Graham Peter Hill-Wood First Division 1st FA Cup Third round League Cup Third round League Centenary Trophy Winners Alan Smith (23) Alan Smith (25) 54,029 vs. Liverpool (9 November 1988) 17,885 vs. Hull City (12 October 1988) 34,477Arsenal first team line up (1988–89) http://thearsenalhistory.com/stat/aftlu_files/sheet107.htm The Arsenal History 16 October 2017 26 April 2023 https://web.archive.org/web/20230426034529/http://thearsenalhistory.com/stat/aftlu_files/sheet107.htm dead Note: Information is in the section 1988–89. Attendances of friendlies not taken into account in average. _arsenal8889h _arsenal8889h _arsenal8889h _arsenal8889h _arsenal8687hl FFFFFF FF0000 FFFFFF FFFFFF FF0000 _arsenal8889a _arsenal8889a _arsenal8889a _arsenal8889a _arsenal8889al 101C35 F5D618 101C35 101C35 F5D618 1987–88 1989–90 The 1988–89 season was the 94th in the history of Arsenal Football Club and their 63rd consecutive season in the top flight of English football. It began on 1 July 1988 and concluded on 30 June 1989, with competitive matches played between August and May. The club ended its 18-year wait for the league title by winning the Football League First Division championship in the most closely fought title race in the competition's history. Arsenal beat Liverpool 2–0 in the final match of the season to take the title on goals scored, as both clubs shared the same points total and goal difference. During the season Arsenal also enjoyed success in the Football League Centenary Trophy, but exited the League Cup to Liverpool in the third round and fell at the same stage of the FA Cup to West Ham United. Earlier in the year manager George Graham had started to assemble a squad with a blend of youth and experience. Having already signed defenders Steve Bould and Lee Dixon, he set about trimming the squad letting Steve Williams and Kenny Sansom leave. Arsenal were not considered favourites for the league title at the start of the season, but a 5–1 win away at Wimbledon on the opening day led to talk over their chances. They continued their fine start to the campaign, particularly away from home and led the table from the Christmas period. At one stage Arsenal were 11 points clear of Liverpool, but a series of draws and surprising defeats allowed the gap to be closed. By the time Arsenal faced Liverpool on the final day, they were faced with an improbable challenge – winning by a two-goal margin against the defending champions to claim the title. Graham's cautious approach paid dividends as Arsenal led after the break, and deep into stoppage time midfielder Michael Thomas scored the all-important second goal. 17 different players represented Arsenal in four competitions and there were 14 different goalscorers. Arsenal's top goalscorer was Alan Smith, who scored 25 goals in 46 appearances. Smith and David Rocastle were the only Arsenal representatives in the PFA Team of the Year. Forward Paul Merson was named the PFA Young Player of the Year, an award voted for by his fellow peers. Once the league season finished, Arsenal players and staff paraded the trophy before a crowd of 250,000 on their way to a civic reception.Arsenal's hand of welcome for a champion 1 The Times 29 May 1989Dennis Signy Graham is staying on at jubilant Highbury 34 The Times 29 May 1989 3 Background 1987–88 Arsenal F.C. season In May 1986, George Graham was appointed as Arsenal manager.George Graham managerial career https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/4776637/George-Graham-managerial-career.html The Daily Telegraph London 31 December 2001 16 October 2017 He made an instant impact, guiding his team to League Cup success, and the club finished fourth in the Football League First Division.Nicholas double wins Littlewoods Cup https://www.arsenal.com/history/graham-s-glory-years/nicholas-double-wins-littlewoods-cup Arsenal F.C 10 May 2017 16 October 2017 Arsenal however slipped to sixth in the league the following season,Arsenal league record http://www.arseweb.com/history/league_pos.html Arseweb 17 October 2017 21 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170821004511/http://www.arseweb.com/history/league_pos.html dead and lost out to Luton Town in the League Cup final a year later.Luton steal home at the last gasp David Lacey 44 The Guardian London 25 April 1988 Graham sought to resolve inconsistencies by freshening up his squad, promoting number of academy graduates while selling ageing players.Louis Massarella https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/footballs-greatest-ever-title-finish-arsenals-1989-triumph-over-liverpool-told-players Football's greatest-ever title finish? Arsenal's 1989 triumph over Liverpool, told by the players FourFourTwo 3 March 2017 16 October 2017 By the summer of 1988, he achieved a blend of youth and experience, but little was thought of Arsenal's chances of winning the First Division. Transfers Arsenal sold a number of fringe players throughout the season so Graham could freshen the squad with new players. Having already signed Lee Dixon and Steve Bould from Stoke City, defender Kenny Sansom became surplus to requirement and eventually joined Newcastle United.Clive White Thaw in relations as Thompson is sold to Watford 40 The Times 23 December 1988 Steve Williams was sold to Luton Town for £300,000 in June 1988. as the player felt first-team opportunities were scarce; the fee Luton paid was £100,000 less than Arsenal originally wanted.Clive White League and rebels score a draw 40 The Times 23 July 1988 Graham Rix went to Caen on a free transfer. Other transfers saw Rhys Wilmot leave the club he joined as a trainee in 1977 after failing to displace John Lukic as first choice, and Andy Marriott left to join Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest in a deal worth £50,000. Out PositionPlayerTransferred fromFeeDateRefMFGraham RixCaenFree22 June 1988England coach in hospital 46 The Times 22 June 1988MFSteve WilliamsLuton Town£300,00022 July 1988DFKenny SansomNewcastle United£300,00023 December 1988GKRhys WilmotPlymouth Argyle£100,00014 July 1989GKAndy MarriottNottingham Forest£50,00020 June 1989http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=4823 Andy Marriott Soccerbase 16 October 2017 Loan out PositionPlayerClubDateReturnRefGKRhys WilmotSwansea City23 February 1989End of the seasonCarter's tense two months Ian Ridley 11 The Guardian London 20 August 1988Cox decides his future is at Derby 47 The Times 18 October 1988GKAlan MillerPlymouth Argyle24 November 1988End of the seasonhttp://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=5452 Alan Miller Soccerbase 16 October 2017FWKevin CampbellLeyton Orient16 January 1989End of the seasonhttp://www.skysports.com/football/player/21067/kevin-campbell Kevin Campbell Sky Sports 16 October 2017 Pre-season and friendlies 1 23 July 1988 Yeovil Town 0–5 Arsenal Davis Marwood Hayes Richardson Merson Huish Park Yeovil W 2 2 August 1988 Örebro SWE 1–1 Arsenal Smith Örebro D 3 4 August 1988 Anundsjö SWE 1–3 Arsenal Rocastle O'Leary Bredbyn W 4 9 August 1988 Enköping SWE 0–6 Arsenal Merson Rocastle Groves Enköping W Wembley Int. Tournament 13 August 1988 Arsenal 4–0 Report Tottenham Hotspur Marwood Merson Smith Wembley London 30,104 W Wembley Int. Tournament 14 August 1988 Arsenal 3–0 GER Bayern Munich Smith Dixon Wembley London 27,364 W 5 16 August 1988 Birmingham City 0–4 Arsenal Marwood Merson Smith St Andrew's Birmingham 2,422 W 6 19 August 1988 Leicester City 1–4 Arsenal Thomas Adams Smith Own goal Leicester W 7 13 December 1988 Shrewsbury Town 1–2 Arsenal Davis Ampadu Shrewsbury W 8 25 January 1989 Somerset Cricket Club BER 0–1 Arsenal Hayes Bermuda W 9 27 January 1989 Bermuda National XI BER 2–4 Arsenal Richardson Smith Winterburn Bermuda W 10 14 February 1989 19:30 Arsenal 2–0 Report FRA France Smith Hayes Highbury London 21,785 W Football League First Division 1988–89 Football League First Division A total of 20 teams competed in the First Division in the 1988–89 season. Each team played 38 matches; two against every other team and one match at each club's stadium. Three points were awarded for each win, one point per draw, and none for defeats. August–November thumb|right|175px|Alan Smith (pictured in 2014) reached the 10-goal mark for Arsenal in October, against Queens Park Rangers. Arsenal began the league season away at Plough Lane, where they faced Wimbledon on 27 August 1988. The team started badly, going a goal behind after eight minutes but came back to win 5–1 with Alan Smith scoring a hat-trick.Graham makes capital Dennis Signy 25 The Times 29 August 1988 The manner of Arsenal's comeback had journalist Dennis Signy mulling over the club's chances of winning the league; he wrote in his Times match report: "...the Gunners made the bookmakers' odds of 16–1 against them for the championship look generous." At Highbury, Arsenal were beaten by newly promoted Aston Villa; for much of the first half Graham's side struggled to break through Villa's back five.Arsenal's downfall plotted by Taylor Vince Wright 44 The Times 5 September 1988 The visitors were two goals up in the match before Arsenal equalised in the space of ten minutes. Andy Gray scored the winner in the 62nd minute from a free-kick contentiously awarded by the referee. Arsenal then faced Tottenham Hotspur in the season's first North London Derby, staged at White Hart Lane. A fast-paced and open first-half saw five goals in 17 minutes with Arsenal running out 3–2 winners.Arsenal on target but Venables lowers his sights Stuart Jones 37 The Times 12 September 1988 Graham later described it a "great" and "wonderful advertisement for the game", and felt the supporters and media would go away happy. Arsenal's home form continued to blight them as the team dropped two points against Southampton on 17 September 1988.Seven-minute wonder Frank McGhee 19 The Observer London 18 September 1988 The match was best remembered for an altercation between Paul Davis and Glenn Cockerill.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/18/seven-sins-football-wrath-part-two Wrath – part two The Guardian 18 May 2009 17 October 2017 The Arsenal midfielder punched Cockerill which was missed by the referee, but caught on camera. Davis was later banned for nine matches and handed a record £3,000 fine. Arsenal ended the month with a 2–1 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday and sat in seventh position.Worst and best of Arsenal Peter Ball 38 The Times 26 September 1988http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989/table/1988-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135502/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989/table/1988-09-24 Statto Organisation 4 March 2016 15 October 2017 English Division One (old) table, 24-09-1988 live "He's anaemic, but he's leading the line superbly," was Graham's assessment of Smith as the striker scored two goals in Arsenal's 4–1 win at West Ham United.Anaemic Smith bleeds Hammers Rick Shearman 19 The Observer London 2 October 1988 David Rocastle and Michael Thomas were the other goalscorers, contributing to the team's 13 league goals in four away matches.Pride of Graham Don Beet 17 The Guardian London 3 October 1988 Goals from Adams and Smith saw Arsenal defeat Queens Park Rangers at home two weeks later, but they were held to a 1–1 draw at Luton Town despite dominating much of the game.Black's strike puts Arsenal off stride Andrew Longmore 48 The Times 26 October 1988 Adams scored his second league goal of the season, at home to Coventry City to earn three points for the team.Arsenal bloom in autumn Vince Wright 38 The Times 31 October 1988 They also extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven matches. Kevin Richardson and Brian Marwood were singled out for praise by journalist Vince Wright, with the former "doing an excellent job on [David] Speedie," and the latter seemingly "involved in every penetrating move". A live match audience witnessed Arsenal trounce Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in early November.Arsenal reveal their class Dennis Shaw 46 The Times 7 November 1988 Steve Bould, Brian Marwood, Adams and Smith each scored as the team came back from a goal behind to win. "It was a performance of true quality which must have made excellent viewing," was Graham's verdict and he described it as "satisfying" to beat Forest at their home ground. Arsenal were not at their fluent best against Newcastle United though came away from St James' Park with a clean sheet and a 1–0 win – Bould scored for the second successive match.Thomas and Arsenal both going places David Miller 44 The Times 14 November 1988 Paul Merson scored twice against Middlesbrough as Arsenal recorded a 3–0 win and moved into second place, just two points behind Norwich City.Clive White Putting the case for Arsenal taking the field as England 44 The Times 21 November 1988Weekend football results and tables 44 The Times 21 November 1988 Arsenal's five England internationals, who featured against Saudi Arabia a week before, were lauded in The Times for their performances, despite playing tamely for country. The match reporter suggested the club versus country dilemma could be solved by including more Arsenal players, something Graham was sceptical about when put to him. "I want England to do very well. It's just I want Arsenal to do better," he said. Arsenal's unbeaten run came to an end against Derby County, where at the Baseball Ground a debatable penalty was awarded to the home side which allowed them to get back into the game.Stephen Bierley Hectic Gunners under the moon 18 The Guardian London 28 November 1988 December–February The visit of champions Liverpool in early December was seen by Graham and the media as a test of Arsenal's championship credentials.Clive White Graham at a point of no return 45 The Times 3 December 1988 Arsenal entered the match boasting the division's best attacking record, while Liverpool conceded the fewest in the competition.Stuart Jones Barnes dazzles in game of missed opportunities 36 The Times 5 December 1988 In the game Liverpool went ahead through left winger John Barnes, but their lead was short lived as Smith equalised. Both sides spurned chances to win the game late on and the score stayed 1–1 at full time; Kenny Dalglish, the Liverpool player-manager however was delighted with a point and said afterwards: "That was as entertaining as any of the other four games we have played against each other this season."Graham rues misses 36 The Times 5 December 1988 Arsenal failed to score for the first time in the season when they played league leaders Norwich City on 10 December 1988.Stuart Jones Norwich nearly pay the penalty for safety-first ploys 38 The Times 12 December 1988 The team returned to winning ways during the Christmas period. More than 37,000 spectators saw Arsenal defeat Manchester United by two goals to one,Stuart Jones Lost magic of once glorious spectacle 30 The Times 19 December 1988 and on Boxing Day a brace from Marwood ensured Arsenal beat Charlton Athletic to go top of the league table.David Lacey Arsenal take the route of Sisyphus to the summit 18 The Guardian London 27 December 1988 They continued their good form on New Year's Eve, beating Aston Villa 3–0.Bob Houston Assured Arsenal demolish Villa 17 The Observer London 1 January 1989 The Highbury clock was unveiled in an elevated position before the game against Tottenham Hotspur as part of the ground's refurbishment work.Clive White Arsenal go back to top without scaling heights 28 The Times 5 January 1989 Merson and Thomas scored a goal apiece against their bitter rivals, handing the team a fourth straight league win and send them two points clear of Norwich City. Match reporter Clive White conceded Tottenham had a legitimate claim for a penalty in the first half, but felt they never merited anything from the game, contrasting the visitor's disappointing play to Arsenal – "the epitome of pure, free-flowing football". The team continued their good away form by taking apart Everton at Goodison Park. Graham labelled his team as "nice and solid" after a goalless first half and the visitors sprung to life in the second, scoring three goals.Stephen Blerley Graham fits a silencer to the roar of his Gunners 14 The Guardian London 16 January 1989 Richardson, scorer of Arsenal's third, assessed the squad was more experienced than last year, adding "Everybody knows what they have to do." Arsenal failed to record a sixth straight win as Sheffield Wednesday held on for a 1–1 draw at Highbury the following weekend.Frank McGhee Wasted on Wednesday 19 The Observer London 22 January 1989 Victory against West Ham United moved Arsenal 10 points clear of third-place Coventry City and significantly ahead of defending champions Liverpool.Clive White The Highbury tank hammers ahead on its unswerving road 47 The Times 6 February 1989 The team came from behind against Millwall to seal another win. Their performance up until the second half was insipid, and after the interval they did as their manager asked and "upped their tempo" in search of an equaliser.Clive White Meeting force with force is no way to play in Europe 42 The Times 13 February 1989 Marwood eventually scored and the midfielder had a part to play in Smith getting the winning goal. Arsenal dropped two points away to Queens Park Rangers and were beaten by Coventry City – Bould conceded a late second-half penalty which was converted by Brian Kilcline.Dennis Shaw Coventry expose some chinks in Arsenal armoury 48 The Times 22 February 1989 John Sillett, the manager of Coventry City felt pressure on Arsenal was "beginning to tell on them" and wanted to exploit that. Smith and Perry Groves each scored in Arsenal's 2–0 win against Luton Town, but February ended with a goalless draw at home to Millwall.Clive White Millwall expose limitations of Arsenal defence 48 The Times 1 March 1989 Doubts were raised over Arsenal's championship credentials as Millwall successfully nullified their opponents' attacking threat. The visitors' own attacking duo – Teddy Sheringham and Tony Cascarino got the better of a struggling Adams, who was fortunate not to have conceded a penalty in the first half. Though Arsenal remained in first place after 27 matches, the gap built at the start of the calendar year was diminishing.Stuart Jones History casts Arsenal in impossible role 48 The Times 26 May 1989 March–May thumb|left|220px|Tony Adams was the target of jibes by opposition fans throughout the season. A Daily Mirror back page depicted him as a donkey after a match in April 1989. Arsenal's limitations were laid bare at home to Nottingham Forest as they were beaten 3–1. Clough's team, "the supreme masters of the counter-attack", produced a first-half performance of quality and hit the hosts on the break to score three times.Clive White Cultivated Forest are still top of the tree 46 The Times 13 March 1989 Arsenal's form dipped as they drew 2–2 with Charlton Athletic, leaving themselves 11 points ahead of Liverpool, who had three games in hand.David Lacey Arsenal's frailties exposed yet again 18 The Guardian London 22 March 1989 Davis returned to the line-up for only his third league start since October, and made a noticeable difference, "restor[ing] Arsenal's confidence" and gave their attack "imagination". He put Arsenal 2–1 up in the match, but Charlton equalised when Steve MacKenzie raced into the penalty area and from the right unleashed a shot that bobbled over Lukic. Consecutive away fixtures brought mixed results; Arsenal beat Southampton 3–1 before drawing one-all at Old Trafford against Manchester United.David Lacey Arsenal happy to avoid a ding-dong clanger at the Dell 15 The Guardian London 27 March 1989David Lacey Adams evens the score 14 The Guardian London 3 April 1989 Adams, a target for jeers by the crowd, had scored at both ends. The day after the game he saw a picture of himself on the back page of the Daily Mirror with donkey ears. The jibes affected Adams privately, but he later recollected how it motivated him to "play that much better".Steve Stammers Adams: I used donkey jibes to inspire me https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/adams-i-used-donkey-jibes-to-inspire-me-6951767.html London Evening Standard 10 September 2004 17 October 2017 Arsenal strengthened their position at the top of the table with four straight wins, conceding no goals. Lee Dixon and Niall Quinn each scored against Everton and the team then beat Newcastle United by a single goal.Brian Glanville Gunners change horses but are still charging 40 The Sunday Times 9 April 1989Clive White Lead regained by slim-line quality 38 The Times 17 April 1989 It was a "nervous" performance and "hardly the stuff of potential champions", reflected by the narrow scoreline, though the team did create notable chances throughout the game. Richardson and Marwood were denied by last-ditch tackles, interventions and goalkeeping saves. Arsenal turned on the style against Norwich City a few weeks later, recording their biggest win of the season.David Lacey Gunners fire five title reminders 12 The Guardian London 2 May 1989 Smith, Thomas, Rocastle and Nigel Winterburn were all on the scoresheet and the 5–0 victory opened up a six-point gap at the top of the table. The Guardian correspondent David Lacey opined that the combination play between Smith and Merson was "crucial to Arsenal's momentum" as was Rocastle's athleticism down the right. Martin Hayes made a rare start for Arsenal and crucially scored the winner against Middlesbrough, all but relegating the North-East side.Cynthia Bateman Chill wind in the North-east 15 The Guardian London 8 May 1989 The absence of Davis, out with an injury, was felt as Arsenal unexpectedly lost at home to Derby County.Clive White Arsenal not quite ready to wear champions' mantle 42 The Times 15 May 1989 In their final home match of the season Arsenal were held to a 2–2 draw by Wimbledon, paving the way for Liverpool to leapfrog them into first place and move three points clear.Stuart Jones Arsenal pay price of attack 48 The Times 18 May 1989Clive White Liverpool bury London clubs' dreams in style 48 The Times 24 May 1989 With one game remaining, Arsenal's title chances were as good as over. Title decider Liverpool 0–2 Arsenal (26 May 1989) thumb|right|210px|Anfield (pictured in 2009) was the setting for the final league game of the season, between Arsenal and Liverpool. Arsenal's final match of the league season – against Liverpool, was originally scheduled a month earlier, but the events at Hillsborough, which saw 96 of Liverpool's supporters crushed to death in a stadium disaster, meant the game was postponed and rearranged. By the time the fixture drew ever closer, both clubs were close enough on points for it to act as a title decider; the odds however were against Arsenal as they had not won at Anfield in 15 years. Liverpool moreover had not lost by two goals – the margin Arsenal required to win the championship – in three years.Lister Graham Parry Rich 'We won the league at Liverpool and got a standing ovation from Anfield' - remembering Arsenal's last-gasp title winners of 1989 https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2896/premier-league/2011/04/15/2165077/we-won-the-league-at-liverpool-and-got-a-standing-ovation goal.com 22 September 2020 15 April 2011 The game took place on a Friday evening and was televised to a national audience of over 12 million.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/aug/09/newsstory.sport39 Beatleville to the Beeb via poachings and prime-time The Guardian 9 August 2004 15 October 2017 London Graham made a slight adjustment to his team's formation, bringing David O'Leary in to play as a sweeper in a back five. His thinking was to nullify Liverpool's attacking threat and for much of the first half, Arsenal stemmed their opponents' usual passing game.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/mar/29/arsenal-liverpool-1989-football The night football was reborn The Observer Cowley, Jason 29 March 2009 17 October 2017 London In the second half, Smith scored, but it looked increasingly likely the title would remain at Anfield as Arsenal struggled to increase their lead. However, deep into stoppage time, Thomas evaded a challenge by Steve Nicol and raced into the penalty area, before slipping the ball past advancing Bruce Grobbelaar to make the score 2–0. The final whistle was blown seconds later, ending Arsenal's 18-year wait to be crowned league champions. Described as "the most dramatic finish in the 120-year history of the English top flight" by BBC Sport in 2008,https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7393992.stm Premier League prepares for D-Day BBC Sport 10 May 2008 15 October 2017 the title decider at Anfield generated interest in the sport and the events were depicted in Nick Hornby's best-selling book Fever Pitch.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9481042/Nick-Hornby-People-say-my-book-sold-football-to-the-middle-classes.-I-disagree.html Nick Hornby: 'People say my book sold football to the middle classes. I disagree' The Daily Telegraph 17 October 2017 London Nick Hornby 17 August 2012 Results 1 27 August 1988 16:00 BST Wimbledon 1–5 Arsenal *Fashanu 8 *Marwood 16 Smith 24 27 58 Merson 85 Plough Lane London 15,710 John Martin (England) W 2 3 September 1988 15:00 BST Arsenal 2–3 Aston Villa *Marwood 52 Smith 57 McInally 28 48 Gray 59 Highbury London 37,417 Dennis Hedges (England) L 10 September 1988 3 15:00 BST Tottenham Hotspur 2–3 Arsenal *Waddle 25 Gascoigne 40 *Winterburn 20 Marwood 29 Smith 30 London White Hart Lane 32,621 Lester Shapter (England) W 17 September 1988 4 Arsenal 2–2 Southampton Marwood (pen.) Smith London Highbury 31,384 D 24 September 1988 5 Sheffield Wednesday 2–1 Arsenal Smith Sheffield Hillsborough 17,830 L 1 October 1988 6 West Ham United 1–4 Arsenal Smith Thomas Rocastle London Upton Park 27,658 W 22 October 1988 7 Arsenal 2–1 Queens Park Rangers Adams Smith London Highbury 33,202 W 25 October 1988 8 Luton Town 1–1 Arsenal Smith Luton Kenilworth Road 10,548 D 29 October 1988 9 Arsenal 2–0 Coventry City Thomas Adams London Highbury 31,273 W 6 November 1988 10 Nottingham Forest 1–4 Arsenal Smith Bould Adams Marwood Nottingham City Ground 19,038 W 12 November 1988 11 Newcastle United 0–1 Arsenal Bould Newcastle St James' Park 24,003 W 19 November 1988 12 Arsenal 3–0 Middlesbrough Merson Rocastle London Highbury 32,294 W 26 November 1988 13 Derby County 2–1 Arsenal Thomas Derby Baseball Ground 21,209 L 4 December 1988 14 Arsenal 1–1 Liverpool Smith London Highbury 31,863 D 10 December 1988 15 Norwich City 0–0 Arsenal Norwich Carrow Road 23,069 D 17 December 1988 16 Arsenal 2–1 Manchester United Thomas Merson London Highbury 37,422 W 26 December 1988 17 Charlton Athletic 2–3 Arsenal (pen.) Marwood Merson London Selhurst Park 18,439 W 31 December 1988 18 Aston Villa 0–3 Arsenal Smith Rocastle Groves Birmingham Villa Park 32,486 W 2 January 1989 19 Arsenal 2–0 Tottenham Hotspur Merson Thomas London Highbury 45,129 W 14 January 1989 20 Everton 1–3 Arsenal Merson Smith Richardson Liverpool Goodison Park 34,825 W 21 January 1989 21 Arsenal 1–1 Sheffield Wednesday Merson London Highbury 33,490 D 4 February 1989 22 Arsenal 2–1 West Ham United Smith Groves London Highbury 40,139 W 11 February 1989 23 Millwall 1–2 Arsenal Marwood Smith London The Den 21,854 W 18 February 1989 24 Queens Park Rangers 0–0 Arsenal London Loftus Road 20,543 D 21 February 1989 25 Coventry City 1–0 Arsenal Coventry Highfield Road 21,390 L 25 February 1989 26 Arsenal 2–0 Luton Town Groves Smith London Highbury 31,012 W 28 February 1989 27 Arsenal 0–0 Millwall London Highbury 37,524 D 11 March 1989 28 Arsenal 1–3 Nottingham Forest Smith London Highbury 39,639 L 21 March 1989 29 Arsenal 2–2 Charlton Athletic Rocastle Davis London Highbury 30,259 D 25 March 1989 30 Southampton 1–3 Arsenal Groves Rocastle Merson Southampton The Dell 19,202 W 2 April 1989 31 Manchester United 1–1 Arsenal Adams Manchester Old Trafford 37,977 D 8 April 1989 32 Arsenal 2–0 Everton Dixon Quinn London Highbury 37,608 W 15 April 1989 33 Arsenal 1–0 Newcastle United Marwood London Highbury 38,023 W 1 May 1989 34 Arsenal 5–0 Norwich City Smith Winterburn Thomas Rocastle London Highbury 28,449 W 6 May 1989 35 Middlesbrough 0–1 Arsenal Hayes Middlesbrough Ayresome Park 21,803 W 13 May 1989 36 Arsenal 1–2 Derby County Smith London Highbury 41,008 L 17 May 1989 37 Arsenal 2–2 Wimbledon Winterburn Merson London Highbury 39,132 D 26 May 1989 38 20:05 BST Liverpool 0–2 Report Arsenal Smith 52 Thomas 90+1 Liverpool Anfield 41,783 David Hutchinson (Oxfordshire) W Classification First Division y ARS Results summary 10 6 3 35 19 12 4 3 38 17 http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989 https://web.archive.org/web/20160403170529/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989 English Division One (old) 1988–89 Statto Organisation 15 October 2017 live 3 April 2016 November 2011 Results by round table b Round Ground A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/A/H/A/H/H/A/A/A/H/H/H/H/A/A/H/H/H/A/H/H/A Result W/L/W/D/L/W/W/D/W/W/W/W/L/D/D/W/W/W/W/W/D/W/W/D/L/W/D/L/D/W/D/W/W/W/W/L/D/W Position 1/8/6/5/7/6/4/3/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/1/2/1 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061757/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/1988-1989 Arsenal 1988–89 Statto Organisation 15 October 2017 live 4 March 2016 September 2011 FA Cup 1988–89 FA Cup Arsenal entered the FA Cup in the third round (last 64), in which they were drawn to face fellow First Division club West Ham United away from home. Their time in the competition was brief; Arsenal resiliently came from two goals down at Upton Park to force a replay, but they lost the tie at home by a single goal.Clive White Arsenal toast their workaholic 32 The Times 9 January 1989Dennis Signy Rosenior's goal makes mockery of the form book 40 The Times 12 January 1989 Graham commended West Ham's approach afterwards, admitting they had done "...a very good job on us. They stopped us scoring and hoped they would nick one." Match results Key In result column, Arsenal's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal DateRoundOpponentsVenueResultScorersAttendance 8 January 1989 Third West Ham United (A) Upton Park 2–2 Merson (2) 22,017 11 January 1989 Third (replay) West Ham United (H) Highbury 0–1 44,124 Football League Cup 1988–89 Football League Cup Arsenal entered the Football League Cup in the second round, where they were drawn against Hull City in a two-legged tie.Second round draw 42 The Times 9 September 1988 At Boothferry Park, Marwood scored against his former side in a 2–1 win.Peter Ball Marwood makes it a happy return 44 The Times 29 September 1988 Arsenal made light work of the second leg, where at Highbury Smith scored twice to make certain of progress into the fourth round.Steven Downes City steal United's limelight 56 The Times 13 October 1988 It was at that stage the team exited the competition, against Liverpool. The original tie at Anfield ended in a 1–1 draw, which meant it was replayed at Highbury.Pye Steven https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2013/sep/25/ten-third-round-memories-league-cup-1980s Ten memories from the third round of the League Cup in the 1980s The Guardian 25 September 2013 17 October 2017 Both sides failed to convert their chances over 90 minutes, resulting in a second replay at Villa Park. Merson opened the scoring, before Steve McMahon brought Liverpool level and then his teammate John Aldridge got their second to knock Arsenal out of the competition. Match results Key In result column, Arsenal's score shown first H = Home match A = Away match N = Neutral match pen. = Penalty kick o.g. = Own goal DateRoundOpponentsVenueResultScorersAttendance28 September 1988Second (1st leg)Hull City (A)Kingston-upon-Hull2–1Winterburn, Marwood11,45012 October 1988Second (2nd leg)Hull City (H)Highbury3–0Smith (2), Merson17,8852 November 1988ThirdLiverpool (A)Anfield1–1Rocastle31,9519 November 1988Third (replay)Liverpool (H)Highbury0–054,02923 November 1988Third (second replay)Liverpool (N)Villa Park1–2Merson21,708 Football League Centenary Trophy Football League Centenary Trophy The Football League Centenary Trophy was held during the 1988–89 season to celebrate the 100th birthday of the Football League.Pye Steven How Arsenal won the Centenary Trophy, the least celebrated title in their history https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2017/jan/04/arsenal-centenary-trophy-title-football-league-history The Guardian 4 January 2017 16 October 2017 It was a knockout competition, between the top eight sides from the 1987–88 First Division. In the quarter-final stage, Arsenal played Queens Park Rangers. Goals from Adams and Marwood were enough to send the club into the following round, where they then faced a makeshift Liverpool side at home.David Lacey Arsenal stay in credit 14 The Guardian London 1 September 1988Stuart Jones Arsenal chase away the pale shadow of League champions 44 The Times 21 September 1988 Arsenal took the lead in the tie, when Groves scored, but with 10 minutes of normal time remaining Steve Staunton equalised for the visitors. Arsenal quickly regained the lead however when Marwood's volley looped over goalkeeper Mike Hooper and into the net. The final, staged at Villa Park, pitted Arsenal against Manchester United. Arsenal raced into a 2–0 lead before half-time, but United finished the game strongly and Clayton Blackmore scored to make it a tense finale.Stuart Jones Davis the villain departs the stage as a centenary hero 40 The Times 10 October 1988 Graham's side however held on for the trophy, and the club also received a prize fund of £50,000.Rosenthal, Jim (presenter), Moore, Brian (commentator) Soccer Highlights: Mercantile Credit Trophy Final ITV Television production 9 October 1988 See also YouTube footage. Quarter-final 31 August 1988 Queens Park Rangers 0–2 Arsenal Adams 3, Marwood 76 Loftus Road London 10,019 W Semi-final 20 September 1988 Arsenal 2–1 Liverpool Groves 33, Marwood 82, Staunton 80 Highbury London 29,135 W Final 9 October 1988 Arsenal 2–1 Manchester United Davis 36 Thomas 40 Blackmore 84 Villa Park Birmingham 22,182 W Squad statistics Arsenal used a total of 17 players during the 1988–89 season and there were 14 different goalscorers. Thomas featured in 47 matches – the most of any Arsenal player in the campaign. Lukic, Winterburn and Rocastle started in all 38 league matches. The team scored a total of 88 goals in all competitions. The top goalscorer was Smith, with 25 goals – 23 of which were scored in the league.Arsenal appearances 1988/89 http://www.arseweb.com/history/stats/89.html Arseweb 15 October 2017 17 October 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171017044302/http://www.arseweb.com/history/stats/89.html dead Smith and Rocastle were the only Arsenal players named in the PFA Team of the Year for 1988–89; for Rocastle, it was his second consecutive appearance, as he featured in the line up a season ago.Lynch 1995 146–47 Merson was awarded the PFA Young Player of the Year in April 1989, an award voted by his fellow peers and professionals. The ceremony, which was held at London's Hilton Hotel, took place a day after the Hillsborough tragedy.Hughes wins PFA award at muted ceremony 14 The Guardian London 17 April 1989 A minute's silence was held and pre-planned extravaganzas were cancelled in respect. Key No. = Squad number Pos = Playing position Nat. = Nationality Apps = Appearances GK = Goalkeeper DF = Defender MF = Midfielder FW = Forward Pos.Nat.NameLeagueFA CupLeague CupCentenary TrophyTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKENGJohn Lukic380205030480DFENGNigel Winterburn383205130483DFENGLee Dixon31 (2)110502039 (2)1DFENGTony Adams364205031465DFENGSteve Bould26 (4)210501033 (4)2DFIREDavid O'Leary260200020300DFENGGus Caesar2000000020MFENGDavid Rocastle386205130487MFENGMichael Thomas33 (4)720503143 (4)8FWENGBrian Marwood3192051324112MFENGKevin Richardson32 (2)1203 (2)02039 (4)1MFENGPaul Davis11 (1)1(2)0202115 (3)2MFENGPerry Groves6 (15)4(2)01 (1)0219 (18)4FWENGAlan Smith36232052304625FWENGPaul Merson29 (8)1022421 (1)036 (9)14MFENGMartin Hayes3 (14)100(4)0(2)04 (20)1FWIRENiall Quinn2 (1)10000002 (1)1 Source: See also English football 1988–89 in English football List of Arsenal F.C. seasons References General Tony Lynch The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes 1995 Random House London 0-09-179135-9 Specific Further reading Cowley, Jason The Last Game: Love, Death and Football Simon & Schuster London 2009 978-1-84737-185-0 External links ArseWeb: Anfield 89 https://web.archive.org/web/20230404195710/http://arseweb.com/other/anfield89.html 4 April 2023 Category:Arsenal F.C. seasons Arsenal Category:English football championship–winning seasons