1988–89 Arsenal F.C. season

{{see also|1987–88 Arsenal F.C. season}}

In May 1986, George Graham was appointed as Arsenal manager.{{cite news |title=George Graham managerial career |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/4776637/George-Graham-managerial-career.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=31 December 2001 |access-date=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.{{cite web |title=Nicholas double wins Littlewoods Cup |url=https://www.arsenal.com/history/graham-s-glory-years/nicholas-double-wins-littlewoods-cup |publisher=Arsenal F.C |date=10 May 2017 |access-date=16 October 2017}} Arsenal however slipped to sixth in the league the following season,{{cite web |title=Arsenal league record |url=http://www.arseweb.com/history/league_pos.html |work=Arseweb |access-date=17 October 2017 |archive-date=21 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170821004511/http://www.arseweb.com/history/league_pos.html |url-status=dead }} and lost out to Luton Town in the League Cup final a year later.{{cite news |title=Luton steal home at the last gasp |first=David |last=Lacey |page=44 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=25 April 1988}} Graham sought to resolve inconsistencies by freshening up his squad, promoting number of academy graduates while selling ageing players.{{cite news |first=Louis |last=Massarella |url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/footballs-greatest-ever-title-finish-arsenals-1989-triumph-over-liverpool-told-players |title=Football's greatest-ever title finish? Arsenal's 1989 triumph over Liverpool, told by the players |website=FourFourTwo |date=3 March 2017 |access-date=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.

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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Thaw in relations as Thompson is sold to Watford |page=40 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=League and rebels score a draw |page=40 |newspaper=The Times |date=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

Loan out

{{football box collapsible

|round = 1

|date = 23 July 1988

|time =

|team1 = Yeovil Town

|score = 0–5

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Davis
{{goal}} Marwood
{{goal}} Hayes
{{goal}} Richardson
{{goal}} Merson

|stadium = Huish Park

|location = Yeovil

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 2

|date = 2 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Örebro {{flagicon|SWE}}

|score = 1–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Smith

|stadium =

|location = Örebro

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 3

|date = 4 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Anundsjö {{flagicon|SWE}}

|score = 1–3

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} {{goal}} Rocastle
{{goal}} O'Leary

|stadium =

|location = Bredbyn

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 4

|date = 9 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Enköping {{flagicon|SWE}}

|score = 0–6

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} {{goal}} {{goal}} Merson
{{goal}} {{goal}} Rocastle
{{goal}} Groves

|stadium =

|location = Enköping

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = Wembley Int.
Tournament

|date = 13 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 4–0

|report = [https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2018/feb/08/tottenham-arsenal-wembley-tournament Report]

|team2 = Tottenham Hotspur

|goals1 = Marwood {{goal}} {{goal}}
Merson {{goal}}
Smith {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Wembley

|location = London

|attendance = 30,104

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = Wembley Int.
Tournament

|date = 14 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 3–0

|report =

|team2 = {{flagicon|GER}} Bayern Munich

|goals1 = Smith {{goal}} {{goal}}
Dixon {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Wembley

|location = London

|attendance = 27,364

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 5

|date = 16 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Birmingham City

|score = 0–4

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} {{goal}} Marwood
{{goal}} Merson
{{goal}} Smith

|stadium = St Andrew's

|location = Birmingham

|attendance = 2,422

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 6

|date = 19 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Leicester City

|score = 1–4

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Thomas
{{goal}} Adams
{{goal}} Smith
{{goal}} Own goal

|stadium =

|location = Leicester

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 7

|date = 13 December 1988

|time =

|team1 = Shrewsbury Town

|score = 1–2

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Davis
{{goal}} Ampadu

|stadium =

|location = Shrewsbury

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 8

|date = 25 January 1989

|time =

|team1 = [https://www.bermudafa.com/premier-division-teams/somerset-cricket-club Somerset Cricket Club] {{flagicon|BER}}

|score = 0–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Hayes

|stadium =

|location = Bermuda

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 9

|date = 27 January 1989

|time =

|team1 = Bermuda National XI {{flagicon|BER}}

|score = 2–4

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} {{goal}} Richardson
{{goal}} Smith
{{goal}} Winterburn

|stadium =

|location = Bermuda

|attendance =

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 10

|date = 14 February 1989

|time = 19:30

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–0

|report = [https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2018/feb/14/france-arsenal-world-cup-qualifier-scotland-valentines-day Report]

|team2 = {{flagicon|FRA}} France

|goals1 = Smith {{goal}}
Hayes {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Highbury

|location = London

|attendance = 21,785

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{see also|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.

File:Alan Smith 2014.jpg

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.{{cite news |title=Graham makes capital |first=Dennis |last= Signy |page=25 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |title=Arsenal's downfall plotted by Taylor |first=Vince |last=Wright |page=44 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |title=Arsenal on target but Venables lowers his sights |first=Stuart |last=Jones |page=37 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |title=Seven-minute wonder |first=Frank |last=McGhee |page=19 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=18 September 1988}} The match was best remembered for an altercation between Paul Davis and Glenn Cockerill.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/may/18/seven-sins-football-wrath-part-two |title=Wrath – part two |website=The Guardian |date=18 May 2009 |access-date=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.{{cite news |title=Worst and best of Arsenal |first=Peter |last=Ball |page=38 |newspaper=The Times |date=26 September 1988}}{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989/table/1988-09-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135502/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989/table/1988-09-24 |publisher=Statto Organisation |archive-date=4 March 2016 |access-date=15 October 2017 |title=English Division One (old) table, 24-09-1988 |url-status=dead }}

"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.{{cite news |title=Anaemic Smith bleeds Hammers |first=Rick |last=Shearman |page=19 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=2 October 1988}} David Rocastle and Michael Thomas were the other goalscorers, contributing to the team's 13 league goals in four away matches.{{cite news |title=Pride of Graham |first=Don |last=Beet |page=17 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=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.{{cite news |title=Black's strike puts Arsenal off stride |first=Andrew |last=Longmore |page=48 |newspaper=The Times |date=26 October 1988}} Adams scored his second league goal of the season, at home to Coventry City to earn three points for the team.{{cite news |title=Arsenal bloom in autumn |first=Vince |last=Wright |page=38 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |title=Arsenal reveal their class |first=Dennis |last=Shaw |page=46 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |title=Thomas and Arsenal both going places |first=David |last=Miller |page=44 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Putting the case for Arsenal taking the field as England |page=44 |newspaper=The Times |date=21 November 1988}}{{cite news |title=Weekend football results and tables |page=44 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Bierley |title=Hectic Gunners under the moon |page=18 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=28 November 1988}}

The visit of champions Liverpool in early December was seen by Graham and the media as a test of Arsenal's championship credentials.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Graham at a point of no return |page=45 |newspaper=The Times |date=3 December 1988}} Arsenal entered the match boasting the division's best attacking record, while Liverpool conceded the fewest in the competition.{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Jones |title=Barnes dazzles in game of missed opportunities |page=36 |newspaper=The Times |date=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."{{cite news |title=Graham rues misses |page=36 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Jones |title=Norwich nearly pay the penalty for safety-first ploys |page=38 |newspaper=The Times |date=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,{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Jones |title=Lost magic of once glorious spectacle |page=30 |newspaper=The Times |date=19 December 1988}} and on Boxing Day a brace from Marwood ensured Arsenal beat Charlton Athletic to go top of the league table.{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=Arsenal take the route of Sisyphus to the summit |page=18 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=27 December 1988}} They continued their good form on New Year's Eve, beating Aston Villa 3–0.{{cite news |first=Bob |last=Houston |title=Assured Arsenal demolish Villa |page=17 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Arsenal go back to top without scaling heights |page=28 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Stephen |last=Blerley |title=Graham fits a silencer to the roar of his Gunners |page=14 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=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.{{cite news |first=Frank |last=McGhee |title=Wasted on Wednesday |page=19 |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=The Highbury tank hammers ahead on its unswerving road |page=47 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Meeting force with force is no way to play in Europe |page=42 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Dennis |last=Shaw |title=Coventry expose some chinks in Arsenal armoury |page=48 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Millwall expose limitations of Arsenal defence |page=48 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Jones |title=History casts Arsenal in impossible role |page=48 |newspaper=The Times |date=26 May 1989}}

File:Adams, Tony.jpg 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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Cultivated Forest are still top of the tree |page=46 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=Arsenal's frailties exposed yet again |page=18 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=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.{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=Arsenal happy to avoid a ding-dong clanger at the Dell |page=15 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=27 March 1989}}{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=Adams evens the score |page=14 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=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."{{cite news |first=Steve |last=Stammers |title=Adams: I used donkey jibes to inspire me |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/adams-i-used-donkey-jibes-to-inspire-me-6951767.html |newspaper=London Evening Standard |date=10 September 2004 |access-date=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.{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Glanville |title=Gunners change horses but are still charging |page=40 |newspaper=The Sunday Times |date=9 April 1989}}{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Lead regained by slim-line quality |page=38 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=Gunners fire five title reminders |page=12|newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=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.{{cite news |first=Cynthia |last=Bateman |title=Chill wind in the North-east |page=15 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 May 1989}} The absence of Davis, out with an injury, was felt as Arsenal unexpectedly lost at home to Derby County.{{cite news |first=Clive|last=White |title=Arsenal not quite ready to wear champions' mantle |page=42 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Jones |title=Arsenal pay price of attack |page=48 |newspaper=The Times |date=18 May 1989}}{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Liverpool bury London clubs' dreams in style |page=48 |newspaper=The Times |date=24 May 1989}} With one game remaining, Arsenal's title chances were as good as over.

{{main|Liverpool 0–2 Arsenal (26 May 1989)}}

File:The view from the Kop.jpg

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.{{cite web |last1=Lister |first1=Graham |last2=Parry |first2=Rich |title='We won the league at Liverpool and got a standing ovation from Anfield' - remembering Arsenal's last-gasp title winners of 1989 |url=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 |website=goal.com |access-date=22 September 2020 |date=15 April 2011}}

The game took place on a Friday evening and was televised to a national audience of over 12 million.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/aug/09/newsstory.sport39 |title=Beatleville to the Beeb via poachings and prime-time |newspaper=The Guardian |date=9 August 2004 |access-date=15 October 2017 |location=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.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/mar/29/arsenal-liverpool-1989-football |title=The night football was reborn |newspaper=The Observer |author=Cowley, Jason |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=17 October 2017 |location=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,{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7393992.stm |title=Premier League prepares for D-Day |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 May 2008 |access-date=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.{{cite news | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/9481042/Nick-Hornby-People-say-my-book-sold-football-to-the-middle-classes.-I-disagree.html | title=Nick Hornby: 'People say my book sold football to the middle classes. I disagree' | newspaper=The Daily Telegraph | access-date=17 October 2017 | location=London | first=Nick | last=Hornby | date=17 August 2012}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 1

|date = 27 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Wimbledon

|score = 1–5

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} {{goal}} {{goal}} Smith
{{goal}} Merson
{{goal}} Marwood

|stadium = Plough Lane

|location = London

|attendance = 15,710

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = 2

|date = 3 September 1988

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–3

|report =

|team2 = Aston Villa

|goals1 = Marwood {{goal}}
Smith {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Highbury

|location = London

|attendance = 37,414

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 10 September 1988

|round = 3

|time =

|team1 = Tottenham Hotspur

|score = 2–3

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Winterburn
{{goal}} Marwood
{{goal}} Smith

|location = London

|stadium = White Hart Lane

|attendance = 32,621

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 17 September 1988

|round = 4

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–2

|report =

|team2 = Southampton

|goals1 = Marwood (pen.) {{goal}}
Smith {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 31,384

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 24 September 1988

|round = 5

|time =

|team1 = Sheffield Wednesday

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Smith

|location = Sheffield

|stadium = Hillsborough

|attendance = 17,830

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 1 October 1988

|round = 6

|time =

|team1 = West Ham United

|score = 1–4

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} {{goal}} Smith
{{goal}} Thomas
{{goal}} Rocastle

|location = London

|stadium = Upton Park

|attendance = 27,658

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 22 October 1988

|round = 7

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Queens Park Rangers

|goals1 = Adams {{goal}}
Smith {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 33,202

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 25 October 1988

|round = 8

|time =

|team1 = Luton Town

|score = 1–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Smith

|location = Luton

|stadium = Kenilworth Road

|attendance = 10,548

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 29 October 1988

|round = 9

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team2 = Coventry City

|goals1 = Thomas {{goal}}
Adams {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 31,273

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 6 November 1988

|round = 10

|time =

|team1 = Nottingham Forest

|score = 1–4

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Smith
{{goal}} Bould
{{goal}} Adams
{{goal}} Marwood

|location = Nottingham

|stadium = City Ground

|attendance = 19,038

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 12 November 1988

|round = 11

|time =

|team1 = Newcastle United

|score = 0–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Bould

|location = Newcastle

|stadium = St James' Park

|attendance = 24,003

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 19 November 1988

|round = 12

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 3–0

|report =

|team2 = Middlesbrough

|goals1 = Merson {{goal}} {{goal}}
Rocastle {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 32,294

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 26 November 1988

|round = 13

|time =

|team1 = Derby County

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Thomas

|location = Derby

|stadium = Baseball Ground

|attendance = 21,209

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 4 December 1988

|round = 14

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 1–1

|report =

|team2 = Liverpool

|goals1 = Smith {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 31,863

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 10 December 1988

|round = 15

|time =

|team1 = Norwich City

|score = 0–0

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Norwich

|stadium = Carrow Road

|attendance = 23,069

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 17 December 1988

|round = 16

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Manchester United

|goals1 = Thomas {{goal}}
Merson {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 37,422

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 26 December 1988

|round = 17

|time =

|team1 = Charlton Athletic

|score = 2–3

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} {{goal}} (pen.) Marwood
{{goal}} Merson

|location = London

|stadium = Selhurst Park

|attendance = 18,439

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 31 December 1988

|round = 18

|time =

|team1 = Aston Villa

|score = 0–3

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Smith
{{goal}} Rocastle
{{goal}} Groves

|location = Birmingham

|stadium = Villa Park

|attendance = 32,486

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 2 January 1989

|round = 19

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team2 = Tottenham Hotspur

|goals1 = Merson {{goal}}
Thomas {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 45,129

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 14 January 1989

|round = 20

|time =

|team1 = Everton

|score = 1–3

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Merson
{{goal}} Smith
{{goal}} Richardson

|location = Liverpool

|stadium = Goodison Park

|attendance = 34,825

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 21 January 1989

|round = 21

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 1–1

|report =

|team2 = Sheffield Wednesday

|goals1 = Merson {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 33,490

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 4 February 1989

|round = 22

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = West Ham United

|goals1 = Smith {{goal}}
Groves {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 40,139

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 11 February 1989

|round = 23

|time =

|team1 = Millwall

|score = 1–2

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Marwood
{{goal}} Smith

|location = London

|stadium = The Den

|attendance = 21,854

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 18 February 1989

|round = 24

|time =

|team1 = Queens Park Rangers

|score = 0–0

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Loftus Road

|attendance = 20,543

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 21 February 1989

|round = 25

|time =

|team1 = Coventry City

|score = 1–0

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = Coventry

|stadium = Highfield Road

|attendance = 21,390

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 25 February 1989

|round = 26

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team2 = Luton Town

|goals1 = Groves {{goal}}
Smith {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 31,012

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 28 February 1989

|round = 27

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 0–0

|report =

|team2 = Millwall

|goals1 =

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 37,524

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 11 March 1989

|round = 28

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 1–3

|report =

|team2 = Nottingham Forest

|goals1 = Smith {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 39,639

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 21 March 1989

|round = 29

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–2

|report =

|team2 = Charlton Athletic

|goals1 = Rocastle {{goal}}
Davis {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 30,259

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 25 March 1989

|round = 30

|time =

|team1 = Southampton

|score = 1–3

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Groves
{{goal}} Rocastle
{{goal}} Merson

|location = Southampton

|stadium = The Dell

|attendance = 19,202

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 2 April 1989

|round = 31

|time =

|team1 = Manchester United

|score = 1–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Adams

|location = Manchester

|stadium = Old Trafford

|attendance = 37,977

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 8 April 1989

|round = 32

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–0

|report =

|team2 = Everton

|goals1 = Dixon {{goal}}
Quinn {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 37,608

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 15 April 1989

|round = 33

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 1–0

|report =

|team2 = Newcastle United

|goals1 = Marwood {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 38,023

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 1 May 1989

|round = 34

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 5–0

|report =

|team2 = Norwich City

|goals1 = Smith {{goal}} {{goal}}
Winterburn {{goal}}
Thomas {{goal}}
Rocastle {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 28,449

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 6 May 1989

|round = 35

|time =

|team1 = Middlesbrough

|score = 0–1

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Hayes

|location = Middlesbrough

|stadium = Ayresome Park

|attendance = 21,803

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 13 May 1989

|round = 36

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 1–2

|report =

|team2 = Derby County

|goals1 = Smith {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 41,008

|referee =

|result = L

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 17 May 1989

|round = 37

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–2

|report =

|team2 = Wimbledon

|goals1 = Winterburn {{goal}}
Merson {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|location = London

|stadium = Highbury

|attendance = 39,132

|referee =

|result = D

}}

{{Football box collapsible

|date = 26 May 1989

|round = 38

|time = 20:05 BST

|team1 = Liverpool

|score = 0–2

|report = [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/arsenal/10420277/Flashback-Liverpool-0-Arsenal-2-Michael-Thomas-stoppage-time-strike-wins-1989-league-title-for-Gunners.html Report]

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = Smith {{goal|52}}
Thomas {{goal|90+1}}

|location = Liverpool

|stadium = Anfield

|attendance = 41,783

|referee = David Hutchinson (Oxfordshire)

|result = W

}}

{{:1988–89 Football League|transcludesection=First Division|only_totals=y|showteam=ARS}}

{{Fb_rs |hw=10 |hd=6 |hl=3 |hgf=35 |hga=19 |aw=12 |ad=4 |al=3 |agf=38 |aga=17 }}

{{Fb rs footer|u=|s={{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403170529/http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989 |title=English Division One (old) 1988–89 |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=15 October 2017 |archive-date=3 April 2016}}|date=November 2011}}

{{#invoke:sports rbr table|table|legendpos=b|header=Round

|label1= Ground

| res1=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

|label2= Result

| res2=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

|label3= Position

| res3=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

|text_H=Home|text_A=Away

|color_W=green2|text_W=Win

|color_D=yellow2|text_D=Draw

|color_L=red2|text_L=Loss

|color_1=1st|color_2=2nd|color_3=3rd|color_18-=red1

|updated=

|source={{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/division-one-old/1988-1989 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061757/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/1988-1989 |title=Arsenal 1988–89 |publisher=Statto Organisation |access-date=15 October 2017 |archive-date=4 March 2016}}

|date=September 2011

}}

{{main|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.{{cite news |first=Clive |last=White |title=Arsenal toast their workaholic |page=32 |newspaper=The Times |date=9 January 1989}}{{cite news |first=Dennis |last=Signy |title=Rosenior's goal makes mockery of the form book |page=40 |newspaper=The Times |date=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."

;Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In result column, Arsenal's score shown first
• H = Home match
• A = Away match

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-end}}

{{main|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.{{cite news |title=Second round draw |page=42 |newspaper=The Times |date=9 September 1988}} At Boothferry Park, Marwood scored against his former side in a 2–1 win.{{cite news |first=Peter |last=Ball |title=Marwood makes it a happy return |page=44 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Steven |last=Downes |title=City steal United's limelight |page=56 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite web |last=Pye|first=Steven|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/that-1980s-sports-blog/2013/sep/25/ten-third-round-memories-league-cup-1980s |title=Ten memories from the third round of the League Cup in the 1980s|website=The Guardian |date=25 September 2013 |access-date=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.

;Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

• In result column, Arsenal's score shown first
• H = Home match
• A = Away match
• N = Neutral match

{{col-2}}

• pen. = Penalty kick
• o.g. = Own goal

{{col-end}}

{{main|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.{{cite news|last1=Pye|first1=Steven|title=How Arsenal won the Centenary Trophy, the least celebrated title in their history|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2017/jan/04/arsenal-centenary-trophy-title-football-league-history|website=The Guardian |date=4 January 2017 |access-date=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.{{cite news |first=David |last=Lacey |title=Arsenal stay in credit |page=14 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=1 September 1988}}{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Jones |title=Arsenal chase away the pale shadow of League champions |page=44 |newspaper=The Times |date=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.{{cite news |first=Stuart |last=Jones |title=Davis the villain departs the stage as a centenary hero |page=40 |newspaper=The Times |date=10 October 1988}} Graham's side however held on for the trophy, and the club also received a prize fund of £50,000.{{cite AV media |people=Rosenthal, Jim (presenter), Moore, Brian (commentator) |title=Soccer Highlights: Mercantile Credit Trophy Final |publisher=ITV |medium=Television production |date=9 October 1988}} See also [https://www.youtube.com/e7yKzFcwyiQ?t=40 YouTube] footage.

{{football box collapsible

|round = Quarter-final

|date = 31 August 1988

|time =

|team1 = Queens Park Rangers

|score = 0–2

|report =

|team2 = Arsenal

|goals1 =

|goals2 = {{goal}} Adams
{{goal}} Marwood

|stadium = Loftus Road

|location = London

|attendance = 10,019

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = Semi-final

|date = 20 September 1988

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Liverpool

|goals1 = Marwood {{goal}}
Groves {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Highbury

|location = London

|attendance = 29,135

|referee =

|result = W

}}

{{football box collapsible

|round = Final

|date = 9 October 1988

|time =

|team1 = Arsenal

|score = 2–1

|report =

|team2 = Manchester United

|goals1 = Davis {{goal}}
Thomas {{goal}}

|goals2 =

|stadium = Villa Park

|location = Birmingham

|attendance = 22,182

|referee =

|result = W

}}

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 87 goals in all competitions. The top goalscorer was Smith, with 25 goals – 23 of which were scored in the league.{{cite web|title=Arsenal appearances 1988/89 |url=http://www.arseweb.com/history/stats/89.html |work=Arseweb |access-date=15 October 2017}}

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.{{sfnp|Lynch|1995|pp=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.{{cite news |title=Hughes wins PFA award at muted ceremony |page=14 |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=17 April 1989}} A minute's silence was held and pre-planned extravaganzas were cancelled in respect.

Key

{{col-begin}}

{{col-3}}

No. = Squad number

Pos = Playing position

Nat. = Nationality

Apps = Appearances

{{col-3}}

GK = Goalkeeper

DF = Defender

MF = Midfielder

FW = Forward

{{col-end}}

Source:

{{Portal|English football}}

• 1988–89 in English football
• List of Arsenal F.C. seasons

General

• {{Cite book| first = Tony| last = Lynch| title = The Official P.F.A. Footballers Heroes| year = 1995| publisher = Random House |location=London | isbn = 0-09-179135-9 }}

Specific

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book | author=Cowley, Jason | title=The Last Game: Love, Death and Football | publisher=Simon & Schuster |location=London | year=2009 | isbn=978-1-84737-185-0}}

• [http://www.arseweb.com/other/anfield89.html ArseWeb: Anfield 89] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404195710/http://arseweb.com/other/anfield89.html |date=4 April 2023 }}

{{Arsenal F.C. seasons}}

{{1988–89 in English football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1988-89 Arsenal F.C. season}}

Category:Arsenal F.C. seasons

Arsenal

Category:English football championship–winning seasons