1997–98 Arsenal F.C. season

English football club season October 2020 May 2013 Arsenal 1997–98 Peter Hill-Wood Arsène Wenger Highbury Premier League 1st FA Cup Winners Football League Cup Semi-finals UEFA Cup First round Dennis Bergkamp (16) Dennis Bergkamp (22) 38,269 (vs Everton, 3 May) 37,164 (vs Crystal Palace, 15 February) 37,277Arsenal first team line up (1997–98) http://thearsenalhistory.com/stat/aftlu.htm The Arsenal History 10 June 2012 15 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160715102949/http://thearsenalhistory.com/stat/aftlu.htm dead Note: Information is in the section 1997–98. Attendances of friendlies not taken into account in average. _arsenal9697h _arsenal9697h _arsenal9697h _arsenal9697h _redtop FFFFFF FF0000 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF _arsenal9798a _arsenal9798a _arsenal9798a _arsenal9798a _arsenal9798al FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 000040 0013AA 1996–97 1998–99 The 1997–98 season was Arsenal Football Club's sixth season in the Premier League and their 72nd consecutive season in the top flight of English football.https://www.arsenal.com/news/features/48523/behind-the-numbers- All-time Arsenal James Josh 18 June 2013 Arsenal F.C. 22 June 2023 live https://web.archive.org/web/20230622042610/https://www.arsenal.com/news/features/48523/behind-the-numbers- 22 June 2023https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engall.html English Clubs Divisional Movements 1888–2016 Ross James Heneghan Michael Orford Stuart Culliton Eoin 25 August 2016 Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation 22 June 2023 live https://web.archive.org/web/20230622041929/https://www.rsssf.org/tablese/engall.html 22 June 2023 In Arsène Wenger's first full season at the club, the Gunners won the league title for the first time in seven years. At Wembley Stadium, they beat Newcastle United 2–0 in the 1998 FA Cup Final to win the competition for the first time since 1993 and complete a domestic double – the second in the club's history and the first since 1970–71. Arsenal exited the League Cup in the semi-finals to Chelsea and lost on aggregate score to PAOK in the UEFA Cup first round. In the transfer window, Arsenal purchased several players, including midfielders Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit and goalkeeper Alex Manninger; English midfielder Paul Merson departed to join Middlesbrough. Arsenal began the league season relatively well, but a run of three defeats in four matches between November and December 1997 left the team in sixth position before Christmas, and seemingly out of championship contention. Although they were 12 points behind reigning champions Manchester United at the end of February, a winning streak of ten matches ensured Arsenal won the championship with a 4–0 win over Everton on 3 May 1998. In recognition of the team's achievement, Wenger was awarded the Carling Manager of the Year award and striker Dennis Bergkamp was given the accolade of PFA Players' Player of the Year by his fellow peers and FWA Footballer of the Year by football writers. 3 Background 1996–97 Arsenal F.C. season In the 1996–97 season, Arsenal contested in the Premier League. The club, having dismissed manager Bruce Rioch before the beginning of the league season, appointed French manager Arsène Wenger, in a contract worth £2 million.Arsenal get Wenger on £2m deal Martin Thorpe 24 The Guardian London 17 September 1996 Arsenal led the league table for much of November, but defeat to Nottingham Forest on 21 December 1996 concurred with no wins in December. Two draws and defeats in February moved Arsenal into fourth position; a previous defeat to Liverpool at home a month earlier left Wenger ruling the club out of the title race.Arsène Wenger's post match comments to Sky Sports Arsenal vs. Liverpool – Ford Monday Night Football (24 March 1997) Sky Sports, BSkyB and Premier League 24 March 1997 On the final day of the season, Arsenal beat Derby County 3–1 at the Baseball Ground, finishing third on goal difference. The team, thus, qualified for the UEFA Cup, missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification to second place Newcastle United.Adams off but Baseball party goes on Ed Jones 22 The Guardian London 12 May 1997 Transfers The major departure of the 1997–98 season for Arsenal was midfielder Paul Merson, who joined Middlesbrough in a £4.5 million deal, replacing Juninho.Merson seals his £4.5m move north Martin Thorpe 26 The Guardian London 8 July 1997 Wenger said of the move, "You are never happy to lose a player of his calibre but it is a good deal for him and for the club." Middlesbrough intended to sign David Platt, but a move never came to fruition, as talks broke down between both parties.Platt stands by for Arsenal 23 The Guardian London 11 August 1997 Defender Matthew Rose and goalkeeper Lee Harper joined Queens Park Rangers for a combined fee of £750,000. Arriving first during the summer was English defender Matthew Upson from Luton Town.Wenger buys Luton teenager Martin Thorpe 39 The Guardian London 10 May 1997 French midfielders Emmanuel Petit and Gilles Grimandi joined from Monaco, where they were protégées to Wenger.Wenger buys two more Frenchmen Stephen Bradfield 26 The Guardian London 5 June 1997 Marc Overmars, a midfielder from Ajax, was recruited in a £7 million deal and spoke of his delight at joining Arsenal in his press conference: "I like English football because there is more space. With my speed and quality I think it will be good for me here."Overmars joins the Arsenal Eurocrats Martin Thorpe 26 The Guardian London 18 June 1997 Deals for midfielders Luís Boa Morte and Alberto Méndez, striker Christopher Wreh and goalkeeper Alex Manninger were also finalised before August. In No.PositionPlayerTransferred fromFeeDateRef20DFMatthew Upson Luton Town£1.2M10 May 199718DFGilles Grimandi Monaco£1.75M4 June 199721MFLuís Boa Morte Sporting CP£1.75M14 June 199723MFAlberto Méndez 1. SC Feucht£250,00017 June 199711MFMarc Overmars Ajax£7.0M1 July 1997All the Premier League's men Trevor Haylett 56 The Guardian London 8 August 1997 17MFEmmanuel Petit Monaco£3.5M1 July 199713GKAlex Manninger Grazer AK£1.0M3 July 199712FWChristopher Wreh Monaco£300,0007 August 1997 Out No.PositionPlayerTransferred toFeeDateRef31DFMatthew Rose Queens Park Rangers£500,00020 May 199729MFAdrian Clarke Southend UnitedFree31 May 19979MFPaul Merson Middlesbrough£4.5M7 July 1997Playboy and the Professor, Part III – Capital reckoning: Arsenal and Chelsea clash twice in 10 days Martin Thorpe 40 The Guardian London 7 February 1998 26GKLee Harper Queens Park Rangers£250,0009 July 199727MFPaul Shaw Millwall£300,00015 September 199722MFIan Selley Fulham£500,00017 October 199729MFGlenn Helder NAC Breda£150,00024 October 199736MFJehad Muntasser Bristol CityFree30 January 1998http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=12930 Jehad Muntasser Soccerbase 12 June 2012 Pre-season Key Green colour = Win Red colour = Loss 1997 7 8 y 19:30 BST Friendly St Albans City 1–4 Report Arsenal Martin 73 Grimandi 5Rankin ?Shaw ? ? St Albans W 1997 7 12 y 15:00 BST Friendly Leyton Orient 0–1 Report Arsenal Shaw 4 Brisbane Road London W 1997 7 20 y Friendly Stade Nyonnais SUI 0–4 Report Arsenal Boa Morte 3Méndez ?Overmars ?Bergkamp ? Nyon 1,400http://www.stadenyonnais.ch/histoire/matchs_internationaux.asp Matchs internationaux Stade Nyonnais official website 5 June 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304030937/http://www.stadenyonnais.ch/histoire/matchs_internationaux.asp 4 March 2016 dead W 1997 7 25 y 20:00 CEST Friendly Strasbourg FRA 1974 1–2 Report Arsenal Zitelli 38 Garde 45Wright 54 Stade de la Meinau Strasbourg 12,000 M. Léon W 1997 7 30 y 19:30 CEST Nike Challenge Cup PSV NED 1–0 Report Arsenal Iwan 66 Philips Stadion Eindhoven 15,000 L 1997 8 2 y Friendly Sittingbourne 2–5 Report Arsenal Planck 51Miller 74 Anelka 10 43Boa Morte 26Kiwomya 45Hughes 47 Central Park Sittingbourne 3,349 W 1997 8 4 y 19:45 BST Friendly Norwich City 2–6 Report Arsenal Eadie 64Adams 89 Wright 6 28 58Grimandi 15 46Bergkamp 17 Carrow Road Norwich 10,950 W Premier League 1997–98 FA Premier League August–October Arsenal's league campaign started on 9 August 1997 with an away fixture at Leeds United. The match ended in a 1–1 draw; Ian Wright scored his first goal of the season, before a mix up in defence meant Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink equalised for the home team.Jimmy puts spring into Leeds' step Paul Wilson 43 The Observer London 10 August 1997 Two days later, Wright scored both goals in Arsenal's 2–0 win at home to Coventry City, leaving him one goal away from equalling Cliff Bastin's club goalscoring record.Wright stakes England claim David Lacey 22 The Guardian London 12 August 1997 The following week, two goals from Dennis Bergkamp and a debut goal from Marc Overmars helped Arsenal to win at Southampton.Football: Double Dutch of class Norman Fox https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-double-dutch-of-class-1246978.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-double-dutch-of-class-1246978.html 1 May 2022 subscription The Independent London 24 August 1997 28 May 2012 In spite of Bergkamp scoring a hat-trick against Leicester City, Arsenal drew the match 3–3, having conceded a third in the sixth minute of stoppage time.Wright in trouble after Bergkamp treble is nullified David Lacey 23 The Guardian London 28 August 1997 A further draw, at home to rivals Tottenham Hotpsur, for whom defender Sol Campbell particularly impressed, meant Arsenal ended August in fifth position.Campbell silences Arsenal's firebrands Amy Lawrence 41 The Observer London 31 August 1997 Wright scored his 179th goal for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers and broke the club goal-scoring record with his first of three goals in a 4–1 win at Highbury. Manager Arsène Wenger praised the striker's achievement, adding "He is fantastic for the timing of his movement. It is so intelligent when he has not got the ball."Wright's 180 and counting Russell Thomas 23 The Guardian London 15 September 1997 Arsenal faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 21 September 1997; at 2–2, a late goal by left-back Nigel Winterburn from 25 yards ended the home team's resistance, who went down to ten men after Frank Leboeuf was sent off.Winterburn blast shatters Chelsea David Lacey 21 The Guardian London 22 September 1997 September ended with a third consecutive win, against West Ham United. Goals from Bergkamp, Wright and Overmars helped Arsenal move to the top of the league table, one point above champions Manchester United.Football: Brilliant Bergkamp humbles Hammers Mike Rowbottom https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-brilliant-bergkamp-humbles-hammers-1241133.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-brilliant-bergkamp-humbles-hammers-1241133.html 1 May 2022 subscription The Independent London 25 September 1997 28 May 2012 The month ended with a 2–2 draw against Everton at Goodison Park; Wright and Overmars scored Arsenal's goals.Walker Paul 2012-05-12 Everton 2 Arsenal 2 Arsenal Football Club Match Reports Sporting Life https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/25505/7770648/everton-2-arsenal-2 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160306145119/https://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/25505/7770648/everton-2-arsenal-2 2016-03-06 sportinglife.com October began with a 5–0 win at home to promoted Barnsley, but two goalless draws – first at Crystal Palace and then to Aston Villa - meant Manchester United moved a point ahead of Arsenal.Arsenal big guns suddenly fall silent David Lacey 33 The Guardian London 23 October 1997 November–February Arsenal's first fixture of November was against Derby County at the newly built Pride Park Stadium. Arsenal were awarded a penalty kick in the first half after Patrick Vieira was fouled by Lee Carsley; Wright hit the penalty, which ricocheted off the crossbar. Two goals by Paulo Wanchope and a late strike by Dean Sturridge condemned Arsenal to their first defeat of the league season.Wanchope gives Gunners back pain David Lacey 23 The Guardian London 3 November 1997 When Arsenal played Manchester United on 9 November, they needed a win to stay one point behind the league leaders. Wenger admitted in his pre-match comments that a second successive defeat would make it "difficult" for them to catch Manchester United, but not "impossible".https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-all-red-and-all-conquering-1293041.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-all-red-and-all-conquering-1293041.html 1 May 2022 subscription All red and all conquering The Independent on Sunday London Ridley Ian 9 November 1997 28 May 2012 Striker Nicolas Anelka, standing in for Bergkamp, scored his first goal for Arsenal and Vieira added a second, leaving goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel rattled. Although Teddy Sheringham scored twice for Manchester United to level the score, midfielder David Platt headed into the far corner with seven minutes left of the match to score the winner for Arsenal.Platt stalls United's march David Lacey 19 The Guardian London 10 November 1997 Wenger said of the win: "This result is good for the English game because it will stimulate interest in the Premier League" and opposing manager Alex Ferguson half agreed: "A one-horse race is not good for the game." Arsenal failed to capitalise on the result, losing to Sheffield Wednesday and Liverpool in a period where the team were depleted due to injuries.Arsenal not fit to play for a prince Martin Thorpe 23 The Guardian London 1 December 1997 A goal from Wright against Newcastle United, his first in seven matches, was enough to earn victory away at St James' Park.Wright reaps collective benefit David Hopps 20 The Guardian London 8 December 1997 Arsenal lost 1–3 to Blackburn Rovers the following week, denting their chances of closing the gap on leaders Manchester United.Football: Blackburn hand Arsenal a lesson in commitment and care Ken Jones https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-blackburn-hand-arsenal-a-lesson-in-commitment-and-care-1288879.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-blackburn-hand-arsenal-a-lesson-in-commitment-and-care-1288879.html 1 May 2022 subscription The Independent London 15 December 1997 18 October 2011 The match was overshadowed by Wright being booed off by supporters because of his performance, who responded by appearing "at the window of the east stand clad in vest and underpants haranguing the crowd."Arsenal fade into a Wright red mist Martin Thorpe 23 The Guardian London 15 December 1997 Arsenal began the Christmas period with a fixture against Wimbledon; the game was abandoned by referee Dermot Gallagher due to floodlight failure and rescheduled for a later date.Bad play stops light amid Arsenal gloom David Lacey 20 The Guardian London 23 December 1997 On Boxing Day, an own goal by Steve Walsh helped Arsenal beat Leicester City 2–1 at Highbury.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-lacklustre-arsenal-helped-by-wayward-walsh-1290717.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/football-lacklustre-arsenal-helped-by-wayward-walsh-1290717.html 1 May 2022 subscription Football: Lacklustre Arsenal helped by wayward Walsh The Independent London Rowbottom Mike 27 December 1997 29 May 2012 A draw at Tottenham Hotspur, who were welcoming the return of Jürgen Klinsmann, left Arsenal in sixth at the end of the calendar year, 12 points behind Manchester United.Klinsmann supplies spirit if not fizz David Lacey 21 The Guardian London 29 December 1997 In the first league match of 1998, Overmars scored twice to earn Arsenal a win against Leeds United.Overmars takes battle honours Rob Hughes 21 The Times London 12 January 1998 The team drew 2–2 at Coventry City a week later, losing more ground at the top of the table.Strachan risking credibility and FA wrath by lodging hasty complaint Russell Kempson 22 The Times London 19 January 1998 January came to a conclusion with a 3–0 victory over Southampton, with all three goals scored in the space of seven minutes.Southampton blitzed by Arsenal https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/52253.stm BBC News BBC 31 January 1998 29 May 2012 A further two wins in February, at home to Chelsea and Crystal Palace, moved Arsenal into second place, nine points behind Manchester United, albeit having played two games less.No second best for Old Trafford men https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/58891.stm BBC News BBC 21 February 1998 29 May 2012 March–May Arsenal dropped two points against West Ham United on 2 March with a goalless draw at Upton Park.Arsenal drop points in championship chase https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/61447.stm BBC News BBC 2 March 1998 29 May 2012 The following match, they closed the gap to six points after Manchester United could also only manage to draw against West Ham, but dropped to third position. A goal from Christopher Wreh in the rescheduled match at Wimbledon was enough to move Arsenal into second and set up a title clash between themselves and Manchester United on 14 March 1998.Wreh of hope for Gunners as gap closes Ian Malin 30 The Guardian London 12 March 1998 The result, moreover, reopened betting after Manchester bookmaker Fred Done decided to pay out on punters who backed Manchester United.Wenger and the last roll of the dice Paul Hayward 40 The Guardian London 14 March 1998 After numerous attempts to break the deadlock in the match, Arsenal scored with 15 minutes left of the match; Overmars latched onto a header by Anelka and managed to flick the ball beyond the goalkeeper.Overmars, overjoyed and not over yet https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/feb/16/newsstory.sport Paul Wilson The Observer London 15 March 1998 30 May 2012 Note: The following article was republished on The Guardian website on 16 February 1999 When asked which team was in the best position going into the final games of the season, Wenger told Sky Sports that United had a "small advantage" over the rest; Ferguson, however, warned that it would be "inevitable" for Arsenal to drop points.Arsène Wenger's post match comments to Sky Sports Manchester United vs. Arsenal – Ford Football Special (14 March 1998) Sky Sports, BSkyB and Premier League 14 March 1998 I don't know. I think they (Manchester United) still have a small advantage because we have to take the points with the games we have in hand and that's not easy. Alex Ferguson's post match comments to Sky Sports Manchester United vs. Arsenal – Ford Football Special (14 March 1998) Sky Sports, BSkyB and Premier League 14 March 1998 I don't think they're any good of a footballing team as us; they (Arsenal) will find out points will be dropped at the end of the season – no question about that. Two 1–0 wins, first at home to Sheffield Wednesday and then Bolton Wanderers, meant Arsenal kept an eighth successive clean sheet, a new league record.Football: Arsenal close the gap on United https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-close-the-gap-on-united-1153815.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-close-the-gap-on-united-1153815.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Phil Shaw The Independent London 1 April 1998 29 May 2012 Arsenal beat Newcastle United 3–1 to move within four points of Manchester United in early April. The return of Bergkamp from a three-match suspension helped Arsenal to trounce Blackburn Rovers; the team scored three goals in the space of the opening 14 minutes.Four-goal Gunners close on Man Utd https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/78041.stm BBC News BBC 14 April 1998 30 May 2012 Manchester United's failure to beat Newcastle United meant Arsenal went top of the league table after beating Wimbledon 5–0. Victory against Barnsley and then at home against Derby County four days later meant Arsenal needed one more win in their last home game to become league champions, regardless of Manchester United's results.Petit puts Gunners within range of Double David Lacey 30 The Guardian London 30 April 1998 Although Bergkamp was ruled out for the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury against Derby, Arsenal eased to a 4–0 win against Everton to become the first club other than Manchester United or Blackburn Rovers to win the Premier League.Arsenal crowned Premiership champions https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/sport/football/87346.stm BBC News BBC 3 May 1998 1 June 2012 With a run of ten straight victories, a new record was set, and Wenger became the first non-British manager to lead a team to win the league championship. Arsenal lost their final two matches of the league season, both of which are played away from home, choosing to rest players for the upcoming FA Cup Final.Villa's fate rests with Chelsea Jeremy Alexander 20 The Guardian London 11 May 1998 Match results 1997 8 9 y 15:00 BST 1 Leeds United 1–1 Report Arsenal Hasselbaink 42Bowyer Wright 35Garde Grimandi Vieira Petit 71 Elland Road Leeds 37,993 Dermot Gallagher (Oxfordshire) D 1997 8 11 y 20:00 BST 2 Arsenal 2–0 Report Coventry City Wright 29 47Garde Shaw Williams Telfer Highbury London 37,324 Keith Burge (Rhondda) W 1997 8 23 y 15:00 BST 3 Southampton 1–3 Report Arsenal Maddison 25Monkou Overmars 20Bould Bergkamp 57 79 Wright The Dell Southampton 15,246 David Elleray (London) W 4 27 August 1997 20:00 BST Leicester City 3–3 Report Arsenal Heskey 84Elliott 90Walsh 90Kaamark Lennon Prior 9 61 90 Bergkamp Bould Parlour Leicester Filbert Street D 21,089 5 30 August 1997 15:00 BST Arsenal 0–0 Report Tottenham Hotspur Bergkamp Bould Wright Campbell Carr Dominguez0 44 Edinburgh London Highbury D 38,102 6 13 September 1997 15:00 BST Arsenal 4–1 Report Bolton Wanderers Wright 20 25 81Parlour 44Vieira 13 Thompson Taggart London Highbury W 38,138 7 21 September 1997 16:00 BST Chelsea 2–3 Report Arsenal Poyet 40Zola 60Wise Leboeuf 0 67 45 59 Bergkamp89 Winterburn Bould Grimandi London Stamford Bridge w 33,102 8 24 September 1997 20:00 BST Arsenal 4–0 Report West Ham United Bergkamp 12Overmars 39 45Wright 42 pen. Dowie Lampard Lomas Unsworth London Highbury W 38,102 9 27 September 1997 15:00 Everton 2–2 Report Arsenal Ball 49Cadamarteri 56 32 Wright41 Overmars Liverpool Goodison Park D 35,457 10 4 October 1997 15:00 BST Arsenal 5–0 Report Barnsley Bergkamp 25 32Parlour 45Platt 63Wright 76 Arjan de Zeeuw Thompson London Highbury W 38,049 11 18 October 1997 15:00 BST Crystal Palace 0–0 Report Arsenal Linighan Bergkamp Boa Morte Grimandi Vieira Wright London Selhurst Park D 26,180 12 26 October 1997 16:00 GMT Arsenal 0–0 Report Aston Villa Bould Seaman Vieira Petit 0 83 Southgate London Highbury D 38,061 13 1 November 1997 15:00 GMT Derby County 3–0 Report Arsenal Wanchope 46 65Sturridge 82Rowett Boa Morte Bould Winterburn Derby Pride Park Stadium L 30,004 14 9 November 1997 16:00 GMT Arsenal 3–2 Report Manchester United Anelka 7Vieira 27Platt 83Wright 33 41 Sheringham P. Neville Scholes London Highbury W 38,205 15 22 November 1997 15:00 GMT Sheffield Wednesday 2–0 Report Arsenal Booth 42Whittingham 86Atherton Nolan Adams Grimandi Platt Sheffield Hillborough L 34,373 16 30 November 1997 16:00 GMT Arsenal 0–1 Liverpool Report Adams Dixon 55 McManaman Bjørnebye Matteo London Highbury L 38,094 17 6 December 1997 15:00 GMT Newcastle United 0–1 Report Arsenal 36 Wright Adams Petit Newcastle St. James' Park W 36,751 18 13 December 1997 15:00 GMT Arsenal 1–3 Blackburn Rovers Report Overmars 18Adams Bergkamp Parlour Wright 57 Wilcox65 Gallacher89 Sherwood London Highbury L 38,147 19 22 December 1997 --:-- Wimbledon Arsenal Selhurst Park London P Abandoned due to floodlight problems. 20 26 December 1997 12:00 GMT Arsenal 2–1 Leicester City Report Platt 36Walsh 56 o.g.Winterburn 77 Lennon Campbell Elliott London Highbury W 38,023 21 28 December 1997 19:45 Tottenham Hotspur 1–1 Arsenal Report Nielson 28Campbell Wilson 62 Parlour Bould Keown London White Hart Lane D 29,610 22 10 January 1998 15:00 GMT Arsenal 2–1 Leeds United Report Overmars 60 72 69 Hasselbaink Halle Maybury London Highbury W 38,018 23 17 January 1998 19:45 Coventry City 2–2 Arsenal Report Whelan 21Dublin 66 pen.Telfer Williams 0 79 50 Bergkamp57 Anelka Grimandi Parlour0 65 Vieira Coventry Highfield Road D 22,864 24 31 January 1998 15:00 GMT Arsenal 3–0 Southampton Report Bergkamp 62adams 67Anelka 67Platt Dodd Hirst Monkou Richardson London Highbury W 38,056 25 8 February 1998 16:00 GMT Arsenal 2–0 Chelsea Report S. Hughes 4 42Bergkamp Bould Parlour Di Matteo Leboeuf Vialli Wise London Highbury W 38,083 26 21 February 1998 15:00 Arsenal 1–0 Crystal Palace Report Grimandi 49Anelka Dixon Platt Dyer Fullarton Hreiðarsson Roberts London Highbury W 38,094 27 2 March 1998 19:45 West Ham United 0–0 Arsenal Report Vieira London Boleyn Ground D 25,717 19 11 March 1998 19:45 Wimbledon 0–1 Arsenal Report Perry 21 Wreh London Selhurst Park W 22,291 28 14 March 1998 11:15 GMT Manchester United 0–1 Arsenal Report G. Neville Sheringham 79 Overmars Adams Anelka Dixon Manchester Old Trafford W 55,174 29 28 March 1998 15:00 GMT Arsenal 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday Report Bergkamp 35 Atherton Barrett London Highbury W 38,087 30 31 March 1998 20:00 Bolton Wanderers 0–1 Arsenal Report Cox 47 Wreh Bould0 65 Keown Bolton Reebok Stadium W 25,000 31 11 April 1998 15:00 BST Arsenal 3–1 Newcastle United Report Anelka 41 64Vieira 72 Albert Barton 79 London Highbury W 38,102 32 13 April 1998 20:00 BST Blackburn Rovers 1–4 Arsenal Report Gallacher 51 2 Bergkamp7 14 Parlour42 Anelka Garde Petit Vieira Blackburn Ewood Park W 28,212 33 18 April 1998 15:00 BST Arsenal 5–0 Wimbledon Report Adams 12Overmars 17Bergkamp 19Petit 54Wreh 88 Hughes London Highbury W 38,024 34 25 April 1998 15:00 BST Barnsley 0–2 Arsenal Report Ward 23 Bergkamp76 Overmars Petit Winterburn Barnsley Oakwell W 18,691 35 29 April 1998 20:00 Arsenal 1–0 Derby County Report Petit 34Parlour CarsleyDailly Delap Sturridge Wanchope London Highbury W 38,121 36 3 May 1998 16:00 BST Arsenal 4–0 Everton Report Bilić 6 o.g.Overmars 28 57Adams 89Dixon Barmby Ferguson Hutchison O'Kane Oster London Highbury W 38,269 37 6 May 1998 19:45 Liverpool 4–0 Arsenal Report Ince 28 30Owen 40Leonhardsen 87 Liverpool Anfield L 44,417 38 10 May 1998 16:00 GMT Aston Villa 1–0 Arsenal Report Yorke 37 pen.Draper Ehiogu Ehiogu 0 24 Grimandi Vieira Wright Birmingham Villa Park L 39,372 League table ARS Results summary 15 2 2 43 10 8 7 4 25 23 http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1997-1998 Premier League – 1997–98 Statto Organisation 17 October 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131019043100/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/1997-1998 19 October 2013 live July 2013 Results by round table b Round Ground A/H/A/A/H/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/H/A/A/H/A/H/A/H/A/H/H/A/A Result D/W/W/D/D/W/W/W/D/W/D/D/L/W/L/L/W/L/W/W/D/W/D/W/W/D/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/W/L/L Position 8/1/2/3/5/4/2/1/1/1/1/2/2/2/3/5/4/5/6/6/5/5/5/5/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/2/1/1/1/1/1/1 Home Away green2 Win yellow2 Draw red2 Loss 1st 2nd 3rd red1 http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/1997-1998 Arsenal – 1997–98 Statto Organisation 17 October 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131017034330/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/1997-1998 17 October 2013 live July 2013 FA Cup 1997–98 FA Cup Arsenal entered the competition in the third round, receiving a bye as a Premier League club. Their opening match was a goalless draw against First Division club Port Vale at home, meaning the game was replayed at Vale Park eleven days later. Arsenal won the replay 4–3 in a penalty shoot-out, having drawn 1–1 in extra time.Football: Arsenal let off the hook by Tankard Phil Shaw https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-let-off-the-hook-by-tankard-1138829.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-let-off-the-hook-by-tankard-1138829.html 1 May 2022 subscription The Independent London 15 January 1998 3 June 2012 In the fourth round, Arsenal played Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Overmars scored the opening goal inside 68 seconds for the visitors and Parlour added a second to give Arsenal a commanding lead going into the interval. Although Paul Merson scored in the second half for Middlesbrough, Arsenal did enough to progress into the fifth round.Football: Arsenal spoil their old boy's reunion Scott Barnes https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-spoil-their-old-boys-reunion-1140939.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-arsenal-spoil-their-old-boys-reunion-1140939.html 1 May 2022 subscription live The Independent London 26 January 1998 6 June 2012 A 0–0 draw at home against Crystal Palace meant Arsenal needed to play a fifth round replay at Selhurst Park on 25 February. Goals from Anelka and Bergkamp ensured victory for an under-strength Arsenal team.Football: Bergkamp makes decisive impact for Arsenal Adam Szreter https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-bergkamp-makes-decisive-impact-for-arsenal-1147075.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-bergkamp-makes-decisive-impact-for-arsenal-1147075.html 1 May 2022 subscription The Independent London 26 February 1998 6 June 2012 Against West Ham United in the quarter-finals, Arsenal conceded the first goal when Frank Lampard's corner kick was converted into the goal net by Ian Pearce through a first-time shot. Although Bergkamp scored a penalty to equalise, Arsenal had to settle for a replay at Upton Park, which ended 4–3 on penalties after another draw.Pearce's double act has drawing power David Lacey 22 The Guardian London 9 March 1998 A goal from Wreh against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the semi-finals meant Arsenal reached their 13th FA Cup final.Wreh lights the way to Wembley Martin Thorpe 21 The Guardian London 6 April 1998 On 16 May 1998, Arsenal contested the 1998 FA Cup Final against Newcastle United. Without first-choice striker Bergkamp, Wenger partnered Anelka with Wreh, leaving Wright on the substitutes bench.Too hot for the Toon Paul Wilson 59 The Observer London 17 May 1998 Arsenal scored in the 23rd minute; Overmars sprinted onto a pass from Petit, and used his pace to get past Alessandro Pistone and toe-poke the ball between goalkeeper Shay Given's legs.Arsenal at the double https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/94885.stm BBC News 16 May 1998 10 June 2012 Anelka scored in the second half, from a pass by Parlour to settle the match. In his post-match interview, Wenger praised the "remarkable" Overmars: "[It is] even more so when you realise that he has scored so many goals in important games that we needed to win."Wenger's own double vision Martin Thorpe 21 The Guardian London 18 May 1998 1998 1 3 y 15:00 Third round Arsenal 0–0 Port Vale Report Corden Porter Snijders Talbot Highbury 37,471 Paul Alcock (Kent) D 1998 1 14 y 19:45 Third round replay Port Vale 1–1 Report Arsenal Corden 112Tankard Bergkamp 100 Vale Park 14,964 Neale Barry (North Lincolnshire) W Porter Ainsworth Bogie Snijders Tankard 3–4 Dixon Parlour Bergkamp Boa Morte S. Hughes 1998 1 24 y 19:45 Fourth round Middlesbrough 1–2 Report Arsenal Baker 37Festa 38Merson 62 Overmars 2Parlour 19 Riverside Stadium Middlesbrough 28,264 Mike Riley (West Yorkshire) W 1998 2 15 y 14:00 Fifth round Arsenal 0–0 Report Crystal Palace Manninger Dyer Highbury London 37,164 Martin Bodenham (Cornwall) D 1998 2 25 y 19:45 Fifth round replay Crystal Palace 1–2 Report Arsenal Gordon 0 26Dyer 35, 38Ismaël 64 Anelka 2Bergkamp 28, 39Platt 37Keown 38Upson 66 Selhurst Park London 15,674 Martin Bodenham (Cornwall) W 1998 3 8 y 14:00 Sixth round Arsenal 1–1 Report West Ham United Bergkamp 26 pen. Pearce 12Potts 21Lomas 23Lampard 82 Highbury London 38,077 Mike Reed (Birmingham) D 1998 3 17 y 19:45 Sixth round replay West Ham United 1–1 Report yes Arsenal Abou 40Hartson 84Lomas 119 Bergkamp 0 32Anelka 45Garde 51Boa Morte 100S. Hughes 102Winterburn 111 Upton Park London 25,859 Mike Reed (Birmingham) W Unsworth Hartson Lampard Berkovic Lomas Abou 3–4 Hughes Wreh Boa Morte Garde Vieira Adams 1998 4 5 y 12:00 Semi-final Wolverhampton Wanderers 0–1 Report Arsenal Williams 88 Wreh 12Grimandi 37Parlour 54 Villa Park Birmingham 39.372 Stephen Lodge (South Yorkshire) W 1998 5 16 y 15:00 Final Arsenal 2–0 Report Newcastle United Overmars 23Winterburn 51Anelka 69 Shearer 45Barton 48Howey 53Dabizas 70 Wembley Stadium London 79,813 Paul Durkin (Dorset) W League Cup 1997–98 Football League Cup Arsenal entered the Football League Cup in the third round along with the other clubs playing in European football, and were drawn at home to First Division club Birmingham City. The tie ended 1–1 after normal time; goals from Luís Boa Morte, Platt and Alberto Méndez helped Arsenal win 4–1 in extra time.Arsenal discover extra reserves Martin Thorpe 24 The Guardian London 15 October 1997 They needed extra time the following round to beat Coventry City,Bergkamp finds target at last David Lacey 30 The Guardian London 19 November 1997 and in the fifth round, beat West Ham United 2–1 at Upton Park.Wright fires the Gunners David Lacey 22 The Guardian London 7 January 1998 Arsenal exited the competition in the semi-finals, losing 4–3 on aggregate to Chelsea.Vialli on high in rebirth of Blues David Lacey 26 The Guardian London 19 February 1998 1997 10 14 y 19:45 Third round Arsenal 4–1 yes Report Birmingham City Boa Morte 62 108Platt 99 pen.Méndez 113Dixon Marshall Upson Crowe 0 91 Hey 20Grainger Ndlovu Wassall 0 83 Highbury London 27,097 Uriah Rennie (South Yorkshire) W 1997 11 18 y 19:45 Fourth round Arsenal 1–0 yes Report Coventry City Bergkamp 99 Burrows Haworth Shaw Williams Highbury London 30,199 Gerald Ashby (Worcestershire) W 1998 1 6 y 19:45 Quarter-final West Ham United 1–2 Arsenal Report Abou 75Ferdinand Unsworth Wright 25Overmars 52Grimandi Petit Vieira Winterburn Upton Park London 24,770 Graham Barber (Hertfordshire) W 1998 1 28 y 19:45 Semi-final, first leg Arsenal 2–1 Chelsea Report Overmars 23S. Hughes 47Bergkamp Grimandi M. Hughes 68Duberry Le Saux Newton Highbury London 38,114 Martin Bodenham (Cornwall) W 1998 2 18 y 19:45 Semi-final, second leg Chelsea 3–1 Arsenal Report M. Hughes 10Di Matteo 51Petrescu 53Clarke Duberry M. Hughes Wise Adams Dixon Parlour Vieira 1 48Petit 75Bergkamp 82 pen. Stamford Bridge London 34,330 Graham Poll (Hertfordshire) L 4–3 UEFA Cup 1997–98 UEFA Cup Arsenal entered the UEFA Cup first round, having finished third in the league the previous season. They were drawn to play PAOK, a Greek club noted for hooligan problems.Culture shock and a tall order for Arsenal Martin Thorpe 22 The Guardian London 16 September 1997 Arsenal lost the first leg 1–0 at the Toumba Stadium, with midfielder Kostas Frantzeskos scoring the winner.Cacophonous Greeks silence the Gunners Martin Thorpe 25 The Guardian London 17 September 1997 Although Bergkamp levelled the game on aggregate score 22 minutes into the second leg, a late goal scored by Zisis Vryzas meant Arsenal did not progress past the first round for the second successive season.Bergkamp brilliance not enough Martin Thorpe 25 The Guardian London 1 October 1997 Wenger later commented that he was not too unhappy about the team's exit, by saying "To be honest, the only European competition that really interests me is the Champions League".Soccer – Wenger predicts even bigger Champions' League http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=soccer----wenger-predicts-even-bigger-champions-league-1997-10-22 Hürriyet Daily News 22 October 1997 29 May 2012 1997 9 16 y 20:45 EEST First leg PAOK GRE 1–0 Report ENG Arsenal Tasiopoulos 19Frantzeskos 61Zoumpoulis 71Zafeiriou 78Zagorakis 87 Wright 30Adams 69Vieira 89 Toumba Stadium Thessaloniki 42,000 Manuel Díaz Vega (Spain) L 1997 9 30 y 20:00 BST Second leg Arsenal ENG 1–1 Report GRE PAOK Bergkamp 22Dixon 23Adams 65 Vryzas 87Tasiopoulos 37Sidiropoulos 74 Highbury London 37,982 Michel Piraux (Belgium) D 1–2 Awards In recognition of the team's achievement, Wenger was awarded the Carling Manager of the Year award,http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/clubs/managers/profile.overview.html/arsene-wenger Premier League 16 December 2011 Manager profile, Arsene Wenger dead https://web.archive.org/web/20150822212433/http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/clubs/managers/profile.overview.html/arsene-wenger 22 August 2015 saying he was "very proud and honoured" after collecting the prize.https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-60677766/wenger-is-simply-the-best The Mirror 12 May 1998 2020-09-01 https://web.archive.org/web/20200901144004/https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-60677766/wenger-is-simply-the-best 16 December 2011 Steve Rogers Questia subscription London, England Wenger is simply the best Bergkamp was given the accolade of PFA Players' Player of the Year by his fellow peersFootball: Bergkamp aims to finish in England https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-bergkamp-aims-to-finish-in-england-1155048.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-bergkamp-aims-to-finish-in-england-1155048.html 1 May 2022 subscription live The Independent London 7 April 1998 11 June 2012 and FWA Footballer of the Year by football writers.Spare a thought for the losers in the wonderland world of awards in which the winners always share the spoils David Lacey 31 The Guardian London 9 May 1998 Player statistics Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute. Players with name struck through and marked Left club during playing season left the club during the playing season. No.Pos.Nat.NamePremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupUEFA CupTotalDisciplineAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals13px|Booked|alt=A yellow rectangular card13px|Sent off|alt=A red rectangular card1GKENGDavid Seaman 310401020380102DFENGLee Dixon 26 (2)070302038 (2)0803DFENGNigel Winterburn 35 (1)180302048 (1)1504MFFRA 1974Patrick Vieira 31 (2)28 (1)0202043 (3)21025DFENGSteve Bould 21 (3)04 (1)0302030 (4)0906DFENGTony Adams 263602020363707MFENGDavid Platt 11 (20)31 (3)02 (2)1 (2)014 (27)4508FWENGIan Wright 22 (2)1010112026 (2)11709FWFRA 1974Nicolas Anelka 16 (10)68 (1)3301 (1)028 (12)92010FWNEDDennis Bergkamp 281673421140229111MFNEDMarc Overmars 32128 (1)2322045 (1)160012FWLBRChristopher Wreh 7 (9)32 (4)11(2)0(1)010 (16)40013GKAUTAlex Manninger 705040001601014DFENGMartin Keown 1807020002704115MFENGRay Parlour 3457140204767017MFFRA 1974Emmanuel Petit 3227030204426118DFFRA 1974Gilles Grimandi 16 (6)13 (2)0400023 (8)19019DFFRA 1974Rémi Garde 6 (4)01000007 (4)04020DFENGMatthew Upson 50102000801021MFPORLuís Boa Morte 4 (11)01 (3)012(1)06 (15)23023MFGERAlberto Méndez 1 (2)00021003 (2)10025DFSCOScott Marshall 1 (2)0001 (1)0002 (3)10028MFENGStephen Hughes 7 (10)23 (3)03 (2)10013 (15)31030DFENGGavin McGowan (1)0000000(1)00032FWENGIsaiah Rankin (1)0000000(1)00034DFENGJason Crowe 00(1)0(1)000(2)00035MFENGPaolo Vernazza 10001000200036MFLBY 1977Jehad Muntasser Left club during playing season0000(1)000(1)000 Source: See also English football 1997–98 in English football List of Arsenal F.C. seasons Notes References External links Wenger completes his first Double at Arsenal.com Category:Arsenal F.C. seasons Ars 1998