Season Review 1994-95 - The Road to Premier League Glory
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00:00:00The most important thing at the end of the day is the football and we've tried to concentrate
00:00:09on the football more than anything else.
00:00:12All the things that was going, like you say, wrong for us, was going wrong off the pitch
00:00:20and I think that when you're having traumas like that, the only place to put it right
00:00:29is on the pitch.
00:00:48The season started with a sense of optimism at Highbury.
00:00:51George Graham and the team were in four competitions, including the defence of their Cup Winners
00:00:56Cup title.
00:01:01The out-of-season spending didn't materialise, bar the addition of two reserve goalkeepers
00:01:06and Stefan Schwartz, who joined the Gunners from Portuguese side Benfica.
00:01:11Stefan's season got off on the right foot in the Makita Cup, the woodwork denying him
00:01:16a goal.
00:01:17The tournament was settled by familiar footwork.
00:01:20The chance to score against Napoli, he's done that, 1-0 Arsenal lead.
00:01:32Pre-season it may be, but there's nothing like getting your hands on a trophy and Arsenal
00:01:35have done that.
00:01:39And so the Premiership battle commenced, with a home fixture against Manchester City.
00:01:44The first goal of the new season was an Arsenal goal, the first of three.
00:01:48Dixon spotted, Campbell is unmarked, he lets it run, for Merson, Campbell!
00:01:54Great way to start the new season, it's only two minutes old and Arsenal have a goal and
00:01:59Kevin Campbell is the scorer.
00:02:09Coming up by Merson, Cotten goes for it, doesn't get there, Smith doesn't score, 2-0, Alan Smith.
00:02:22Campbell goes again from Wright's pass, and he's held off Bonk, Wright's, 3-0.
00:02:36Opening day glory, however, soon gave way to the harsh reality of a fight for points.
00:02:41In a midweek fixture against Leeds, McAllister, ensuring the home side, took all three of
00:02:46them.
00:02:47There were to be no points at Anfield.
00:02:52Quickly forward by Nickle, Keown comes across, and then clattered rather unnecessarily into
00:02:59Rob Jones there.
00:03:08Rush going in, it's fallen for Fowler, and Liverpool lead.
00:03:16There's a real zest about Liverpool now, boosted by the goal, this is McManaman.
00:03:22Fowler, made space for the shot, it's a scoring shot, and Fowler has done it again.
00:03:34The eventual champions then came to Highbury, a no score draw putting Arsenal 13th in the
00:03:41league.
00:03:42Carrow Road, the next stop.
00:03:44Schwarz, Campbell, Schwarz, clips it across, oh, well it would have been an own goal by
00:03:54Poston but it's still 0-0 thanks to Gunn.
00:04:00Newcastle a 100% record to defend, well it's not defence that's in their mind at the moment,
00:04:08they're really pressing on.
00:04:11Breaks for Beardsley, deflected, goal.
00:04:12I think the touch was off Martin Keown.
00:04:20Beardsley lining up the wall, balls, strikes it, spins past Peacock, Adams, yes, second
00:04:27time.
00:04:28Rob Lee, the Londoner, Fox.
00:04:29Alba has gone down, and a penalty for Newcastle United, Beardsley already with one goal to
00:04:47his name here, restores Newcastle's lead, 2-1.
00:04:58It's a brilliant run from Peter Beardsley, can Fox finish it off, Newcastle have another
00:05:09goal.
00:05:10They cannon down off the crossbar, Fox will claim it, Schwarz, Dixon in quickly, Peacock,
00:05:26right, Arsenal 2, Newcastle 3.
00:05:35The first away win of the Premiership came against West Ham at Upton Park.
00:05:40Smith, Adams, has got another goal.
00:05:50Headed down by Wright, to Merson, Wright setting off into the centre, and here it is.
00:06:14The first leg of the European Cup Winners' Cup drew Cypriot side Ammonia Nicosia from
00:06:18a list of hopefuls.
00:06:20The heat and the humidity hit you as you stepped off the plane, this was to be no holiday.
00:06:24A lot of people think, oh they're playing a little team from Cyprus, a lovely little
00:06:28holiday island in the Mediterranean, people think it's going to be an easy game, but it's
00:06:34not.
00:06:35Spanish side Atletico Bilbao had gone down in European competition the night before to
00:06:40a Cypriot team, Arsenal were determined to stay ahead.
00:06:47The ground hardly a Coliseum, Nicosia were out for Arsenal blood, a terrible playing
00:06:53service and a partisan crowd, all in Ammonia's favour.
00:06:57The Gunners saw things differently.
00:06:59Merson, made up some ground, and he's given Arsenal the lead.
00:07:11Oh they've misjudged it.
00:07:16It could be in here, Ian Wright tucks it away.
00:07:20Schwarz, just a little too casual, Malakos, really going for Arsenal here, oh it's a super
00:07:31goal for the Cypriots from Malakos.
00:07:42I think it'll be another difficult game at Highbury, and it doesn't matter how we approach
00:07:54it, they're not a bad little side and they can pass the ball around, they've got one
00:07:57or two very good players.
00:07:59So I was making sure that we weren't going to be another one of these statistics which
00:08:04have struggled over the last few days around Europe.
00:08:08The healthy 3-1 lead was soon to be built upon.
00:08:11Oh they tried to play offside here, and failed miserably, it must be a goal, it's Wright's
00:08:16for the taking.
00:08:23Look at the space that Merson's got, Wright going to the left, it ran a little kindly
00:08:28for poor Merson there.
00:08:30He's kept it in, oh it's a very teasing cross, it drops here for Schwarz, the ball nestles
00:08:38nicely in the corner for Arsenal and for Stefan Schwarz.
00:08:45Parler, so many options for Arsenal.
00:08:51Dixon, Parler, Wright diving it out, fantastic goal!
00:09:08More cup action now with the Gunners' entry to the Coca-Cola Cup, the first leg, an exhibition
00:09:13in goal scoring against Hartlepool at the Victoria Ground.
00:09:23Right there before Magucan, must all get their free kick.
00:09:34And Paul Merson lining it up, already had one chance to score himself, Adams, well the
00:09:50captain came in, Davis, a lot of Arsenal supporters pleased to see him back, Wright, Horne can
00:10:00only push it out, it's a tap-in for Smith and it's 2-0.
00:10:09Out by Burgess, Wright, tucked away with great aplomb, Parler, more Arsenal pressure.
00:10:29Second ball by Wright, McGoldrick, Merson, Selly, oh and Gilchrist lost his bearings
00:10:49totally, here's Wright, that's five!
00:10:55Insurance policy heavily taken out up at Hartlepool, they've got a corner, Bold, positioned as
00:11:05usual to glance it on, and Campbell, to run right underneath the bar, Parler, still, parried
00:11:23by Horne.
00:11:29Davis to take the corner, what are they going to come up with this time?
00:11:36Tucked in by Davis, that's Bold, and it is a goal from Dikhoff.
00:11:48Back to the premiership now, Crystal Palace the next visitors to Highbury, Ian Wright
00:11:53on the brink of a century of Gunners goals.
00:11:59Armstrong in behind Linegan, off the post, Salahko's there, Palace have taken the lead.
00:12:10Alan Smith, the Crystal Palace manager will be delighted with the way his side have settled
00:12:15here, and Armstrong, and Salahko's in again!
00:12:27Wright going in, there it is, 100 goals for Arsenal, a fantastic achievement for Ian Wright,
00:12:35fitting I suppose that it's happened here against the club that sold him to Highbury.
00:12:41It was nice, all the surroundings and leading up to the 100 goals, I just want to try and
00:12:49say, I can't say how much, I just want to score in the games, and win the games.
00:12:53Ian Wright goal 101, not far away, well it's the long ball from Seaman, and it's gone all
00:12:57the way through for Wright, and the outcome was inevitable.
00:13:05Direct, and deadly from Arsenal.
00:13:16Long free-kick from Adams, Reeves as a defender, Wright wriggling and shooting, oh it's turned
00:13:22in right on the line by Smith.
00:13:33Alan Smith's hold-up play, good again, Dixon, Campbell now, that looked like Campbell, but
00:13:39the goal is given.
00:13:49Good jump by Barton, Jones.
00:13:57With chances here for Wimbledon, they've got one back, and it's Vinnie Jones who cleans
00:14:01it.
00:14:02And it's just a lead to another, here's Peacock, far long, why is it there?
00:14:15First blood to Chelsea.
00:14:21Wright now Smith, still being played in front of the Chelsea defenders, now Winterburn's
00:14:30round the back, Smith going in, very well kept out by Kareem.
00:14:44On for Bold, Kareem punches, Wright, the equaliser, hammered into the roof of the net by Ian Wright.
00:14:59It's a real scramble, and the goal for Campbell.
00:15:12The corner pays dividends again for Arsenal.
00:15:19George Graham's men get their noses in front at last.
00:15:28And Winterburn, nicely done, past Newton, 3-1, well he's absolutely unerring in front
00:15:38of goal, and another win.
00:15:47Rennie had time to make up for his own mistake, but then he was caught by Schwarz, and Wright,
00:15:54Ian Wright has a new club record, he scores for his 10th appearance in a row, a proud
00:16:06moment.
00:16:07Presley, oh he's got that totally wrong, and Wright has been gifted another one.
00:16:24Dublin, Bold got to it, now did Nigel Winterburn jump into Dion Dublin, then he did, and Arsenal
00:16:33have conceded a penalty, it's going to be Roy Weggeley, this for 2-1, there it is.
00:16:40But there was only one point earned at Goodison Park, now Stewart, he's passed but, Graham
00:16:49Stewart going on for Everton, oh and he was caught, outside the area, teed up for Burrows
00:17:08but not very well, Unsworth, well Everton needing perhaps a lucky break as they look
00:17:17for their first win of the season, certainly have one here, throw from McGoldrick, here's
00:17:26Schwarz, setting himself for the shot, oh and it's Swerpa Settle, 1-1.
00:17:38The early jitters in the Premiership settled, Danish side Brondby were the second round
00:17:42opponents in the Cup Winners' Cup.
00:17:46IF Brondby, John Jensen's old club are a short way outside of Copenhagen, a city of fond
00:17:53memories in European competition.
00:17:56The public training session this time in the cold Danish wind, but the foreign trip follows
00:18:01a pattern, visit the ground the night before a game and then a private training session
00:18:05in the morning, no prying eyes and no press.
00:18:08This is where tactics are finalised, where the game is won, time and time again.
00:18:14Nothing is left to chance, in European competition you have to do your homework more than ever.
00:18:19I've only been over once, but my scouts have been over three times, Stewart's been over
00:18:24as well, we run the rule over the opposition, collectively as a team and individually, so
00:18:30we have a good profile in each player, how the system of play is and then we've spoken
00:18:35to John and John actually tells us that they really secretly fancy their chances against
00:18:39us.
00:18:46Brondby were beaten on a bitter cold evening, the Danes may well have been confident, the
00:18:51Gunners and their travelling fans were not scared of spoiling the home team's fun and
00:18:56there were no prizes for guessing who opened the scoring.
00:19:26We're going to have to beat us 2-0, I can't see that personally, not the way our defenders
00:19:55are going to be playing and the way I know we can create chances against their back four.
00:20:00It was to be a close one though.
00:20:03Well Brondby have got a big task here, but oh they've helped themselves with a terrific
00:20:08start, a goal from Hansen.
00:20:17The corner has been given, well it's a big night for John Jensen.
00:20:26Adams in there, and the referee's given a penalty.
00:20:36Well Kim Billport leading the Brondby protestations.
00:20:45It's Ian Wright on his return to the side.
00:20:49And that will make Arsenal feel a lot better.
00:20:57Wright, that's an interesting touch, on for Smith.
00:21:03Quick throw from Parler.
00:21:07Wright got his head to it, this is in, Sally!
00:21:11Splendid start to the second half for Arsenal.
00:21:14Fast off the mark as Brondby were in the first half.
00:21:21And Arsenal still cannot see this second round, second leg through.
00:21:28In the tournament where they are the defending champions, through with any degree of relaxation.
00:21:34They've given away a free kick.
00:21:39And it's a goal!
00:21:41A second for Brondby here from Egan.
00:21:48The crowd wanting the final whistle to come.
00:21:51The most slender of advantages for Arsenal.
00:21:55Hansen, ball diving in, is that a penalty?
00:21:58Not given enough furious on the Brondby bench.
00:22:05Well we've got a situation here that if this had been a penalty and Brondby would have scored from it,
00:22:11Arsenal would have been out on the away goals rule.
00:22:20Arsenal through to the quarter-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup.
00:22:23They could now relax from European competition until March.
00:22:27Back to the domestic Cups now and a third round encounter with the Enzi League side Oldham Athletic at Boundary Park.
00:22:34The Latics stood firm at home.
00:22:36Ray Parler denied by Gerrard's save and so to Highbury for a third round replay.
00:22:42It's a really hard corner by McGoldrick.
00:22:46And it's squeezed in by Dikov.
00:22:50The first goal of the tie.
00:22:55Winterburn.
00:22:59Oh, miskicked. But he didn't the second time.
00:23:04A second for Paul Dikov.
00:23:08And damage done here that might be too severe for Oldham to be able to repair.
00:23:14Sheridan gets it up to Watson.
00:23:19Back come Arsenal.
00:23:22McGoldrick.
00:23:24Morrow.
00:23:27Oh, memories of Wembley.
00:23:30To Steve Morrow.
00:23:33Who scores against Sheffield Wednesday again.
00:23:45Good progress from Campbell. Useful cross.
00:23:49It drops for Ian Wright.
00:23:52And the aim is true once more.
00:23:58Two cup competitions and two quarter finals. Not bad for November.
00:24:03Sheffield Wednesday had also visited Highbury earlier in the month.
00:24:06The victory against them in the Coca-Cola Cup came after a goalless draw in the Premiership.
00:24:11The one point enough to put the Gunners into 10th place.
00:24:16But there were to be no points at the Dell.
00:24:20Still 0-0.
00:24:24Still 0-0.
00:24:26Kenner.
00:24:28Oh, Magilton is free, he's in the clear and he's scored!
00:24:32It's Jim Magilton's first goal in Southampton's colours.
00:24:40Here's Lowe.
00:24:45Oh, Ormondride came across, well stopped by Seaman, deflected in of Linegan.
00:24:51Wright's away.
00:24:53Jimmy Willis trying to catch him, he's hauled him down, it's got to be a penalty.
00:25:061-1.
00:25:10The right run goes on, 12 matches now.
00:25:14Oh, Arsenal have neglected Nicky Mowan here and David Lowe scored!
00:25:19Leicester back in front.
00:25:21There was one player notable by his absence. The press were full of rumours.
00:25:25Today Paul Merson has been discharged as a resident of the addiction clinic where he spent the past six weeks.
00:25:34Over that period the FA has received regular reports on the progress of his treatment.
00:25:41A notable feature of those reports has been confirmation that drug abuse in Paul's case has been a minimal problem.
00:25:51According to medical specialists he's been suffering over several years from...
00:25:56Every morning I have to get up in the morning and I have to write out my name, the date and the month
00:26:03and I have to put I will not have a better alcoholic drink or use mood-altering chemicals today.
00:26:08And that's how I start my day off when I wake up in the morning now and I have to say that aloud.
00:26:13So, you know, I didn't do that three months ago, you know, and things like that, little things like that have changed.
00:26:19You know, that's what I've got to do now. I have to go to meetings and, you know, it is a new Paul Merson.
00:26:25Paul Merson's rehabilitation was a public affair, played out in the tabloids.
00:26:30It would be some time before he would be back in the first team.
00:26:34When I come to 35 I haven't got football anymore, you know, and it's not worth me being, you know, drunk and everything, you know.
00:26:43I'm going to go nowhere. So really it was for me to get on the rails again and now if I stay better the football will follow.
00:26:50The next opponents in the Premiership were champions Manchester United.
00:26:53The honours were shared at Highbury in a real hard-fought ding-dong battle that saw Mark Hughes sent off, Dave Seaman injured and Ian Wright denied.
00:27:04The next opponents in the Premiership were champions Manchester United.
00:27:07The honours were shared at Highbury in a real hard-fought ding-dong battle that saw Mark Hughes sent off, Dave Seaman injured and Ian Wright denied.
00:27:20Nottingham Forest next in this Premiership run.
00:27:23Runs through ball. It didn't go through in the end, Collymore tried to turn, Gemmell takes it on and is brought down here by Vince Bartram.
00:27:30It's a penalty to Nottingham Forest.
00:27:33It's Stuart Pearce.
00:27:351-0 to Nottingham Forest.
00:27:43Here's Dixon.
00:27:45For Davis.
00:27:47Parler's cross.
00:27:51It's a corner.
00:27:541-0 to Nottingham Forest.
00:27:58Keown got that.
00:28:00Martin Keown at long last, his first goal for Arsenal Football Club.
00:28:11Roy, it broke for him behind the Arsenal midfielder, trying to catch up, Roy lets fly, Roy scores.
00:28:18Forest back in front here.
00:28:24Dixon.
00:28:27Arsenal needing a positive approach here, Dixon trying to supply it.
00:28:31Useful cross, Campbell, Davis.
00:28:34They're level again.
00:28:40Campbell unchallenged, Ian Brightwell backed off him and left him, and Campbell responds with a pass here.
00:28:47But has Dixon marauding down the right, and Alan Smith scoring in the centre, great goal for Arsenal.
00:28:58Headed on by Quinn.
00:29:00It's Arsenal Day, it's a distant memory now.
00:29:03Nice touch by Smith, Campbell, Schvartz who'd been involved at the outset carries on to score splendidly.
00:29:18Well it was just knocked away in the nick of time by Keown from Uwe Roessler.
00:29:25City's corner.
00:29:27Finally finding some impetus to their play.
00:29:30Arsenal have been on top for long spells.
00:29:36Roessler.
00:29:38This is Simpson!
00:29:40Well the signs were there and Simpson's put City back in it.
00:29:44Winterburn in a real tangle with Noel Whelan.
00:29:49And a bit of hesitation and Masinga is there first, and Leeds United have taken the lead, they've stolen it here through the South African Phil Masinga.
00:30:03Dean.
00:30:05Happy to get it forward.
00:30:07Masinga happy to chase.
00:30:09Bold backs off.
00:30:11Still Masinga.
00:30:13Or still Masinga!
00:30:16That's an amazing goal, a fair amount of fortune for Leeds United but Phil Masinga's got his second.
00:30:35Now Keown.
00:30:37Now Keown.
00:30:42Well it ran in behind speed, Dixon's cross.
00:30:46That's Lennigan!
00:30:50Came in powerfully beyond the far post.
00:30:54White.
00:30:57And Brian Dean!
00:30:59That should wrap it up for Leeds United, 3-1 they lead.
00:31:06The disappointing league run continued.
00:31:09Arsenal hadn't won at home since October in the Premiership.
00:31:12Aston Villa would not leave Highbury empty-handed.
00:31:15The disappointing league run continued.
00:31:18Arsenal hadn't won at home since October in the Premiership.
00:31:21Aston Villa would not leave Highbury empty-handed.
00:31:24No score, a point apiece.
00:31:26Winning away though was not a problem.
00:31:28In from Schwartz again.
00:31:31Right!
00:31:34Well that was splendid even by his standards.
00:31:39A venomous volley.
00:31:44Walk over elaborating.
00:31:46He was caught by Jenson.
00:31:48Knocked off by right.
00:31:50Here's Campbell.
00:31:52Oh deflected, 2-0!
00:31:58One run of bad luck did end, John Jenson's.
00:32:05It really is extraordinary how Arsenal have lost the winning touch in recent weeks here at Highbury.
00:32:11Where there's been so much success under George Graham.
00:32:17Cross by Ferdinand.
00:32:19Very neatly taken goal by Kevin Gallen at the near post for Queen's Park Rangers.
00:32:29Here's Winterberg.
00:32:31Arsenal striving hard for an equaliser.
00:32:34Jenson! Oh that's what they've been waiting for!
00:32:37And that's what he's been waiting for!
00:32:39At long, long, long last.
00:32:42A goal in Arsenal's colours for the Dane, John Jenson.
00:32:54It's been a good response from Queen's Park Rangers to losing their lead.
00:33:00And they might be back in front here, they are.
00:33:03Through Bradley Allen.
00:33:10Well the joy of seeing Jenson's score is evaporating fast here.
00:33:16As Arsenal are on the back foot once more.
00:33:19And it's 3-1.
00:33:21Andy Impey.
00:33:24It was great, I must say that.
00:33:26I've been waiting for two and a half years now.
00:33:29To waiting for that goal to come.
00:33:31And I will give it to the fans, they'll be absolutely fantastic to me.
00:33:35So that goal I will give it to all the fans.
00:33:37Jenson would have swapped his goal, he said, for a win at White Hart Lane.
00:33:41It wasn't to be. Popescu put paid to thoughts of an Arsenal victory.
00:33:44Things were no better in the Cup competitions in the New Year.
00:34:08First a departure from the last eight of the Coca-Cola Cup against Liverpool up at Anfield.
00:34:12Touch from Barnes.
00:34:14Then from Radican in rush.
00:34:16Oh brilliant set piece.
00:34:18Has unlocked Arsenal here.
00:34:20And Liverpool have the lead.
00:34:22Then after a no-score draw against Millwall in the third round of the FA Cup at the New Den.
00:34:27A bad night at Highbury.
00:34:29And it's 3-1.
00:34:31Then after a no-score draw against Millwall in the third round of the FA Cup at the New Den.
00:34:37A bad night at Highbury in the replay.
00:34:40Van Blerk.
00:34:43Breaks for Van Blerk again, the Australian.
00:34:46And that's Mark Beard and Millwall have got the first goal of the tie here.
00:35:01Mick McCarthy trying to control the emotion of his team.
00:35:07But he'll be happy as Kennedy takes it up here.
00:35:10Still Kennedy.
00:35:12Well that is that.
00:35:14Arsenal have made an offer and we've accepted.
00:35:30Before the season had started, George Graham had admitted he'd not bought all of the players he'd wanted to.
00:35:36It was now time for some new blood.
00:35:38John Hartson joined from Luton and Chris Kiwamya from Ipswich.
00:35:42They both made their debuts against Everton.
00:35:45Hartson up front in the starting line-up.
00:35:51Hartson going in there.
00:35:53Anxious to make an early impression here with his new glove.
00:35:56And Wright to Arsenal have taken the lead.
00:35:59And Hartson goes across to join in the jubilation for Ian Wright.
00:36:12Here's Watson swinging the left foot.
00:36:15Oh with spectacular results.
00:36:17That's something of a collector's item on Dave Watson's left foot from that range.
00:36:22The home win still eluding the Gunners.
00:36:25Away form still much the superior.
00:36:27And John Hartson didn't take long to earn his stripes.
00:36:30Helping Arsenal to a double over Coventry.
00:36:33Bold. Rather launches that.
00:36:37He's given a problem to Benali.
00:36:40It's a chance for Hartson. He's got another one.
00:36:43Well, his first this time at Highbury to follow up the cracker that got the points at Coventry.
00:36:49Woodrington.
00:36:53You can sense the anxiety from the home supporters who've seen so many disappointments
00:36:58at home this season.
00:37:00Particularly since October when the last three-point haul in the Premiership was gave.
00:37:05And it's a chance for Hartson.
00:37:07He's got another one.
00:37:09And it's a chance for Hartson.
00:37:11He's got another one.
00:37:13And it's a chance for Hartson.
00:37:15He's got another one.
00:37:16And the last three-point haul in the Premiership was gave.
00:37:19Magilton has more problems southampton.
00:37:22Has stolen a goal and it's 1-1.
00:37:25But a goal by Linnigan, not good enough against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough.
00:37:29Arsenal went 3-1 down but stayed 11th in the League.
00:37:38As holders of the Cup Winners Cup,
00:37:40Arsenal met AC Milan, the winners of the Champions League in the European Super Cup.
00:37:43Super Cup. The first leg at Highbury saw a familiar face on the substitutes bench.
00:37:47Paul Merson, leaner and fitter. It was to prove a goalless affair, but nonetheless
00:37:53an entertaining one.
00:37:56Albertini. Pressed by Jenson, dispossessed by Jenson.
00:38:03That just lifted the mood in the crowd and so too is Ian Wright.
00:38:08Harkson trying to keep pace with him through the middle. Campbell on the scene
00:38:12as well, but Wright has his own ideas and Rossi provides a barrier there to keep
00:38:18it at nil-nil.
00:38:24Winterberg.
00:38:30Dixon. He's gone a long time without a goal, but a certain grimace of
00:38:38satisfaction there.
00:38:42Nassaro. Savicevic, too strong for Jenson that time. Nassaro, Arsenal appeal for offside,
00:38:52it's not given. And this is Simone and there's a bit of a let-off there for George Graham's
00:38:58man. And then, the substitution the crowd had waited for.
00:39:04When I come back, it will be a bit of a buzz around, you know, the players as well, but
00:39:16I just think it's just a turn of luck sort of thing, you know. I think one year we went
00:39:20through and we weren't playing too well and then all of a sudden we smashed Jeff Wedd's
00:39:24seven and we was beating someone else's six. And I really honestly believe that will happen
00:39:27again with someone. You know, an early goal and then another goal and everybody's, you
00:39:32know, it calms everybody down. I've played in teams where if you're not, you know, if
00:39:37you're not winning you get very nervous and I'm a prime example for that. If it's not
00:39:42going very well before all this happened, you know, I'd lose my confidence and I play
00:39:47on confidence. And I can understand it happens with all the best teams. It's just happening,
00:39:53I just need to turn the corner now and hopefully I can help that.
00:39:59The San Siro, the home of Italian football, would be the venue for Paul Mersenne's first
00:40:03full game, in the second leg of the Super Cup. It wasn't to be Arsenal's night.
00:40:13Massaro. Boban. Schwarz tugging at him. Still Boban. The first goal for AC Milan. It comes
00:40:24from Boban and Massaro will take a lot of credit for the pass. Nothing that Schwarz
00:40:31or Seaman could do. Everyone claiming. Arsenal's corner. Oh, it must be right, but the whistle
00:40:51I think had gone, presumably, for a foul on the original challenge from the corner
00:40:59by Hartson. Was that a push? Well, it was in the mind of the referee, but it looked
00:41:05very harsh indeed. Adams, now that bounced up awkwardly from Boban's cross.
00:41:22Massaro, 2-0.
00:41:32The Premiership now way past the halfway stage and the Gunners seemingly stuck mid-table.
00:41:38Leicester City's visit to Highbury was eventful in many ways.
00:41:43McGoldrick. Got it back from Kiwomya. McGoldrick. Mersenne coming in. Oh, it's a marvellous
00:41:50goal, which means so much to the scorer and those who have appreciated what he's been
00:41:59through in recent times.
00:42:05This is Draper. Suddenly there's a chance here for Leicester and have Arsenal let it
00:42:09slip at home again.
00:42:13The signing of Glenn Helder from Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem was somewhat eclipsed by the
00:42:18sudden departure of manager George Graham. George Graham was one of the most successful
00:42:23managers in Arsenal's history, winning six major trophies in eight years. Team coach
00:42:30Stuart Houston took temporary charge, his first task a home win against Nottingham Forest.
00:42:36Well, I must say there's a strange atmosphere at Highbury here tonight. There's a lot of
00:42:40goodwill you feel around for George Graham. But Stuart Houston has responsibility for
00:42:46this Arsenal performance. Jenson. And the players certainly looking up for it. This
00:42:51is Mersenne. And Crossley angry with a lack of cover in front of him.
00:43:01Mersenne. Back for Kiwomya. Chance for Arsenal. Goal for Kiwomya.
00:43:07Is the home victory going to arrive at long last since those autumnal days in October?
00:43:20I've had a very low and a fairly high day today. It was very low at lunchtime obviously
00:43:25with the news of George. But delighted obviously from the performance of the players tonight
00:43:30and the attitude, the commitment they gave tonight. I thought they battled really, really
00:43:35hard. And I thought they got their just reward at the end with a lovely goal from Chris Kiwomya.
00:43:40What is it that you say to players before a match like tonight?
00:43:44Well I think it was an unusual circumstance tonight and things had to be obviously said
00:43:48regarding what I knew about the manager's situation. And that was that we just had to
00:43:53get on with trying to get three points tonight. That was the most important thing from the
00:43:57players' point of view. To show that with ten players there on the field which started
00:44:04all bought by George Graham. Plus obviously Paul Merson who was here when he first came.
00:44:09All these players tonight have been the manager's buys. And I felt tonight that they should
00:44:14go out themselves and show them why he bought them. And I think tonight you saw that entirely.
00:44:20Stuart Houston as caretaker manager then followed up with another win. The Gunners were up to
00:44:25eighth in the league. Southgate setting the wall in conjunction with Martin.
00:44:30Roll forward by Jenson. Good movement by Merson.
00:44:36Very well worked by Arsenal. It's certainly caught Palace out.
00:44:42So Arsenal have a throw.
00:44:45Winterburn.
00:44:47Touch on by Merson. It's a good touch. Kiwomya.
00:44:512-0.
00:44:53Jenson defending in front of the back four and getting it wide to Merson.
00:45:00Certainly not an easy pitch on which to dribble the ball but Merson's doing it very well here.
00:45:04Kiwomya has got another one.
00:45:23But then a disappointing 1-0 loss at home to West Ham. A match played between the two
00:45:28legs of the European competition.
00:45:44French side Auxerre in the quarter-final first leg were a gritty side, renowned for playing
00:45:49an old-fashioned style of football who marked their opposition to a man.
00:45:53We've now reached this last eight in the competition and our main objective obviously is to go forward
00:45:59and hopefully proceed into the semi-finals.
00:46:03Over the last couple of years or so we've tended to be drawn away and I think most sides
00:46:08would prefer to be drawn away in the first leg. So we've got to be very positive tonight but patient.
00:46:14Vahid Rua.
00:46:21Oh, they've stopped! That's Lalland!
00:46:26And Arsenal could so easily have allowed Auxerre an away goal here.
00:46:32It was a very good opportunity but they've wasted it.
00:46:44Schwarz.
00:46:47Well, you can't complain about the positioning of the referee.
00:46:53Free kick. Going Arsenal's way.
00:46:57Taken by Merson.
00:47:05Oh, it's a trip there.
00:47:07There was.
00:47:10It's a penalty.
00:47:14That was the incident.
00:47:17And a great chance for Arsenal.
00:47:21Ian Wright scores to extend his own personal run in Europe.
00:47:34And against tough French opposition here that could be a priceless penalty.
00:47:44Well, Arsenal have had to work very hard to get their noses in front.
00:47:48A bit unlucky there with the ball bouncing back into play off the corner flag.
00:47:52And I think Dixon's been penalised for rather lunging in.
00:47:59Well, if you can lip read he's saying I got the ball.
00:48:03But it is a free kick.
00:48:08Oh, it's an equaliser!
00:48:11Oh, it's an equaliser!
00:48:14And it's Frank Verlaat.
00:48:19And the cheers have suddenly stopped.
00:48:22Because Auxerre have hit back quickly.
00:48:26And it was Verlaat who just glanced it in at the near post.
00:48:30The holders of the Cup Winners' Cup are in some trouble.
00:48:34But Ian Wright.
00:48:37Well, he got in front of the defender.
00:48:40And was just leaning back as he struck it.
00:48:42And it hit the bar and kept on going.
00:48:48Final whistle.
00:48:501-1 here.
00:48:52All to do in Auxerre for Arsenal in 2-1.
00:48:561-1 here.
00:48:57All to do in Auxerre for Arsenal in 2 weeks' time.
00:49:01From the near blizzard conditions of north London
00:49:04to the shabbily country of France
00:49:06and the fortress town of Auxerre.
00:49:12Stuart Houston's main concern,
00:49:14the fitness of keeper David Seaman.
00:49:18I'll try and train tonight, serious like.
00:49:20And then for whatever pain's there I'll just have injections.
00:49:24If tonight goes alright then I'll play.
00:49:26But obviously they're going to come at us.
00:49:28It suits us because we've been better away this season.
00:49:33It's going to be difficult.
00:49:34Because it was difficult at a hybrid.
00:49:36Because they were a lot better than what we'd seen.
00:49:44They've just come and done a typical
00:49:46kind of foreign job on us at home.
00:49:48But we're ready for them this time.
00:49:50And I think the way we play, what we're going to do tonight,
00:49:53we're going to show that.
00:49:54David Seaman there at the final briefing.
00:49:56Conceding a goal tonight, unthinkable.
00:50:00We know what we've got to do tonight.
00:50:02I know it's always a game of chess sometimes.
00:50:04But we know we have to score a goal.
00:50:08And obviously we've got to win by a goal.
00:50:10Whether it's 1-0 or a 2-1.
00:50:14We know at least we have to score a goal.
00:50:16If they get a 0-0 that suits them.
00:50:18So they're not desperate to over-attack.
00:50:33It was Arsenal's turn to be underdogs.
00:50:35Written off in many quarters,
00:50:37there's something about the away leg
00:50:39that lifts the Gunners game.
00:50:41That night in Auxerre, they would fight
00:50:43as if their very lives depended on it.
00:50:48Well, the bottom line here
00:50:50in Auxerre is that
00:50:52Arsenal have to score.
00:50:54A 0-0
00:50:56and they would be out.
00:50:58But the French
00:51:00side testing
00:51:02out Arsenal straight away.
00:51:06It was a terrific strike from long range.
00:51:12And it beat Seaman.
00:51:18And the follow-up header from Lalland
00:51:20was more comfortable for the goalkeeper.
00:51:25Adams.
00:51:29Oh, two defenders go for the ball
00:51:31and then left it for Wright.
00:51:33Oh, it's a great try!
00:51:35And a goal for Arsenal.
00:51:37And Ian Wright has come up trumps
00:51:39in Europe yet again.
00:51:45And it was the surprising power
00:51:48in the shot that deceived Kuhl.
00:51:50You thought initially
00:51:52the goalkeeper was going to get there
00:51:54but it brushed past his fingertips
00:51:56and bowls the net.
00:51:58Well, should Auxerre
00:52:00score, let me remind you
00:52:02that would completely
00:52:04level it and
00:52:06would take us to extra time.
00:52:08That's Villat who did
00:52:10score at Highbury
00:52:12but not here. David Seaman
00:52:14despite those damaged ribs
00:52:17he really has looked
00:52:19in masterful form.
00:52:25Steve Ball
00:52:27waves everyone up.
00:52:29This really has been
00:52:31a gritty Arsenal performance
00:52:33and it's a winning performance.
00:52:35They knew what they had to do to come here.
00:52:37Seaman was splendid. Wright scored
00:52:39spectacularly and Arsenal are in the
00:52:41semi-finals of the Cup Winners' Cup.
00:52:43I'll just say it
00:52:45I was very proud of every one of them out there tonight.
00:52:47They stood up and be counted
00:52:49and they showed the true Arsenal
00:52:51resilience and grit and everything it goes about it.
00:52:53We had to dig in tonight.
00:52:55We had our backs to the wall at times
00:52:57but in saying that
00:52:59we got a great goal from Ian Wright
00:53:01which gave us all a lift
00:53:03and I said to the players at half-time
00:53:05we've just got to keep our shape
00:53:07concentrate what we're doing
00:53:09and dig deep. They pushed us back a lot tonight
00:53:11David Seaman I thought was absolutely outstanding
00:53:14at the back, the back four
00:53:16everybody tonight
00:53:18from the front to the back
00:53:20really worked really hard tonight
00:53:22and thoroughly deserved
00:53:24to go into the semi-finals
00:53:26and what can I say
00:53:28I'm really proud of them all.
00:53:30This is the kind of game where
00:53:32the way our season's been going
00:53:34and in fact the way football has been going recently
00:53:36every opportunity we get
00:53:38English teams, the clubs, the players
00:53:40you've got to show
00:53:42your character through adversity
00:53:44and I think we showed that today.
00:53:48I think it's a very important goal for us
00:53:50and that's what Ian Wright's all about
00:53:52he can have one chance tonight
00:53:54probably that was his only chance tonight
00:53:56and bang, it's 1-0
00:53:58and we're in the semi-final.
00:54:02Another record for Ian Wright
00:54:04the most goals scored by an Arsenal
00:54:06player in Europe and he's still
00:54:08on target for scoring in every game
00:54:10of the competition.
00:54:16Back in the Premiership
00:54:18the toughest of schedules
00:54:20starting without Seaman with Blackburn away.
00:54:40Lasso
00:54:42linking up with Warhurst
00:54:44Shearer
00:54:46sees good play from Blackburn Rovers
00:54:48Sutton's cross
00:54:50it's still Lasso!
00:54:52A superb goal
00:54:54for Graeme Lasso
00:55:00Atkins
00:55:02Mark Atkins
00:55:04moves on
00:55:06and is brought down
00:55:08by Andy Linegan
00:55:16Alan Shearer is the
00:55:18Blackburn penalty taker of course
00:55:24Well this
00:55:26for 3-0
00:55:30There it is and Shearer
00:55:32gets his second of the evening
00:55:38Arsenal
00:55:40really have played a full part in this game
00:55:44The scoreline somewhat
00:55:46flattering the home side
00:55:50Dixon
00:55:52This is Parler
00:55:54Oh the goalkeeper's lost it!
00:55:56Steve Morrow
00:55:58Goal!
00:56:06Whether the European
00:56:08exertions will start to tell
00:56:10on Arsenal
00:56:12as the game wears on
00:56:14no sign of fatigues yet
00:56:16Right
00:56:18Oh!
00:56:20Well the dip on that
00:56:22very nearly deceived Sernacek
00:56:28Peacock
00:56:30wants it back, gets it back
00:56:32from Fox
00:56:34Venison
00:56:36Newcastle pressure here
00:56:38Beardsley! Oh!
00:56:40He's done it!
00:56:42And won it!
00:56:44Manchester United
00:56:46pressing on again
00:56:50Giggs with the cross
00:56:52Bartram partially
00:56:54Sharpe is in
00:56:56There's the
00:56:58breakthrough
00:57:14Well that was Giggs'
00:57:16challenge on right, it was a successful one
00:57:18and Cole
00:57:20going on, Hughes is with him
00:57:22Kanchelskis
00:57:24with an unusually
00:57:26clumsy first touch
00:57:28Hughes
00:57:30Sharpe!
00:57:32Found the angle
00:57:34perfectly
00:57:36with his weaker foot
00:57:44Winterburn already
00:57:46backing off, worried about Kanchelskis
00:57:48getting up ahead of
00:57:50Steen, but they forced him infield
00:57:52the pass across to Giggs
00:57:54Still Giggs
00:57:58In goes Kanchelskis!
00:58:00And makes
00:58:02light of an awkward angle
00:58:04there
00:58:10That's Adams, well
00:58:12Arsenal after four consecutive
00:58:14league defeats, whether Europe's
00:58:16been a distraction
00:58:18But they really have to put a performance
00:58:20together today, and here's Helder setting the right
00:58:22note! John Hartson
00:58:34Dixon
00:58:36Well he's gone all the way in
00:58:38I don't know whether
00:58:40Hartson got a touch, but they've gone to
00:58:42Lee Dixon
00:58:44Norwich City
00:58:46with just one
00:58:48league win this year, they're in trouble
00:58:50again, it's Hartson
00:58:52it's in
00:58:54it's three now
00:59:02Ward, Arsenal want offside
00:59:04it's not given
00:59:06and here's Curtin!
00:59:08Well that's one back
00:59:10from Jamie Curtin
00:59:15Well Norwich
00:59:17have left Martin Keown
00:59:19all on his own here
00:59:21Merson!
00:59:23There's another one!
00:59:25Well on a day
00:59:27when victory was imperative
00:59:29the goals are a bonus
00:59:38It's Helder again
00:59:40Oh!
00:59:42It's an own goal
00:59:44Rob Newman, what was he thinking of?
00:59:46The Norwich win helped settle
00:59:48the Premiership nerves, a short
00:59:50trip across London did little to steady
00:59:52them. Hartson
00:59:56But here is Andrew Impey
00:59:58Arsenal would love to have switched this fixture
01:00:00if they could, to a later date
01:00:02Oh they've lost Ferdinand
01:00:04and they've lost an opening goal, here they have
01:00:06and it's Andrew Impey, beyond the far post
01:00:12Impey
01:00:18Good challenge by Adams
01:00:20but he's held off
01:00:22well by Gallant
01:00:24Sinclair
01:00:26slipping starts
01:00:28Gallant, that's two!
01:00:30Goal!
01:00:40In from Brevett, high one
01:00:46Arsenal still press back
01:00:48Karl Reddy
01:00:52That's Penrice
01:00:54and Reddy!
01:00:56It's his goal
01:01:00Goal!
01:01:06Dixon jogs away, Merson takes
01:01:08and that's Tony Adams!
01:01:123-1 now
01:01:18And then on a
01:01:20Wednesday night at Highbury, a goal
01:01:22in the dying seconds against Liverpool
01:01:24relegation became a possibility
01:01:30I think from
01:01:32everybody's point of view
01:01:34we just couldn't quite believe
01:01:36what happened to us at the end
01:01:38we had
01:01:40problems at Newcastle
01:01:42a few weeks back
01:01:44and obviously we hadn't learned from it
01:01:46because the clock said zero
01:01:48the game was more or less tied up
01:01:50but we were delighted with the point
01:01:52but they broke from us in the last minute
01:01:54of the game
01:01:56and very disappointed
01:01:58and there was really no comeback from that
01:02:00we can only do
01:02:02what we've got to do
01:02:04and I've asked the players to be really focused
01:02:06today to get the
01:02:08three points against Uxbridge Town
01:02:10that's all we can do at the moment
01:02:12Martial making a nuisance of himself
01:02:14Bold is there
01:02:16knocked away by Dixon
01:02:20Merson able to pick it up in midfield
01:02:22Hudson goes to the left
01:02:24right
01:02:26Merson is onside and he
01:02:28buries the opportunity
01:02:36well that will ricochet
01:02:38to suit the Dutchman held up
01:02:42a clipped cross
01:02:44in right, goal
01:02:52it's another one for right
01:02:553-0 to Arsenal here
01:02:59and Ipswich really coming
01:03:01a very poor second in this game
01:03:04but here's Martial
01:03:07Mathie
01:03:09waiting for support and
01:03:11he's presented it to right who's on a hat-trick
01:03:15and he's going to get a hat-trick
01:03:17in the end
01:03:21Dixon, Arsenal
01:03:23not satisfied yet
01:03:27Dixon again
01:03:33that's Klaus Thompson getting a foot in
01:03:35and Martial
01:03:39still Martial
01:03:42Ian Martial
01:03:44for sheer persistence
01:03:46gets a pat on the back, he's scored
01:03:48for Ipswich and the fans can't believe it
01:03:51but one win wasn't enough
01:03:53once more the Arsenal dug deep
01:03:57Villa will make it as hard as they can for us
01:03:59just like we're going to make it hard for them
01:04:01and you know we went there last season and
01:04:03you know it was a good game and we beat them 2-1
01:04:05hopefully we can get that same result
01:04:07main thing is to win
01:04:09Staunton
01:04:12the Villa really haven't got going
01:04:14and it's to Arsenal's credit
01:04:16but that has happened so far
01:04:20Merson
01:04:22he's got in behind them again, Hartson!
01:04:25splendidly taken by the Welshman
01:04:34the familiar 1-0 to the Arsenal cry
01:04:36but right
01:04:38maybe will get them to change it
01:04:40it's 2-0 to the Arsenal
01:04:50good ball
01:04:53here's Johnson
01:04:55oh there's a tuck there by Bold
01:04:57on Ian Taylor
01:04:59it's a penalty
01:05:02and a booking for Bold
01:05:07the responsibility is with
01:05:09Dean Saunders
01:05:15and Seaman saved it!
01:05:17superbly low to his left
01:05:20and it's a penalty
01:05:24and it's a penalty
01:05:27and it's a penalty
01:05:31Dixon
01:05:32on from Schwarz
01:05:35Mo Wright got past one tame tackle
01:05:37and a second!
01:05:38McGrath!
01:05:39had to come across
01:05:41brings him down
01:05:42penalty to Arsenal this time
01:05:45well can Bosnich match Seaman?
01:05:48he can't
01:05:49Ian Wright sends him the wrong way
01:05:59Schwarz
01:06:04Merson
01:06:05there's a great opportunity here
01:06:07and Hartson has taken it!
01:06:104-0
01:06:124-0
01:06:20what was all the worrying for?
01:06:22they just took one thing at a time
01:06:24a real purple patch in the Premiership
01:06:26set up the Gunners for the semi-final of the Cup Winners' Cup
01:06:29the draw pulled out the strongest opponents
01:06:31Sampdoria
01:06:34well I've watched them on the video
01:06:36over the last few days
01:06:38especially when they played Porto
01:06:40home and away
01:06:42we've had people sent out to see them
01:06:44we've had a report on them
01:06:46and I'm going out on Sunday to watch them in Naples
01:06:48so I'll have a good idea by Monday
01:06:50exactly what kind of formation they'll have
01:06:53obviously they've got suspensions to Platt
01:06:56and Hulett
01:06:58who's ineligible to play
01:07:00so I'll have a fair idea how they'll approach the game
01:07:03I think they've got a quality side
01:07:05I don't think they're going to really change the way they play
01:07:08to suit us
01:07:09I think they're going to be a bit defensive
01:07:11maybe when they come to Highbury
01:07:13and it's up to us to break them down
01:07:15hopefully with the crowd behind us
01:07:17it will give us the spur to go on
01:07:19and get a goal or two
01:07:23both legs against Sampdoria were heart-stopping
01:07:26victory in the home leg
01:07:28was by no means a foregone conclusion
01:07:30Arsenal it seemed had to score
01:07:32even to start level
01:07:34in from Merson
01:07:37Adams!
01:07:40No
01:07:43well the referee must have seen some pushing there
01:07:46Zenga has got the decision
01:07:49but there will be plenty who would disagree with the referee
01:07:52Steve Bould
01:07:54just according to the script
01:07:56helps it on
01:07:57maybe a little too high
01:07:59to be absolutely perfect
01:08:00was it Wright who was pushing or Adams?
01:08:02maybe neither but the referee said foul
01:08:07right
01:08:11there's a real zip about Arsenal
01:08:13Dixon!
01:08:14great try and
01:08:16Zenga the showman
01:08:18shows what he's made of
01:08:26well it's a throw
01:08:28Mancini did block it fairly
01:08:31Parler
01:08:32oh it's a mistake by Evani
01:08:33Heliot!
01:08:35Bould!
01:08:36Goal!
01:08:40Steve Bould
01:08:41first goal of the season
01:08:42great time to get it
01:08:46Evani
01:08:47only hooked it into Heliot's stride
01:08:49beaten out by Zenga
01:08:51and Bould
01:08:52finished like a craftsman
01:09:00well they're not thinking about the disallowed goal now
01:09:02they're thinking about the one that has counted
01:09:04for Steve Bould
01:09:09Parler
01:09:14Dixon
01:09:18and Merson forces another corner
01:09:29that's Bould
01:09:31and it's gone in
01:09:32straight from Steve Bould's head I think
01:09:35he takes the salutes
01:09:382 for Arsenal
01:09:39and would you believe it
01:09:402 for Steve Bould
01:09:45maybe in his mind just to help it on for others
01:09:51but in the end he helped it on
01:09:53into the net
01:10:01Mancini
01:10:02Lombardo
01:10:03Mancini
01:10:04oh!
01:10:05Adams has touched it away from the goalkeeper
01:10:07it's a gift for Jugovic
01:10:11it was going swimmingly for Arsenal
01:10:13but now
01:10:15a change in emphasis here
01:10:172-1
01:10:21and you just see Tony Adams stick out a foot
01:10:24and wrong foot David Seaman
01:10:26and Jugovic got his reward for
01:10:28keeping on running
01:10:302-1
01:10:36it's a great tackle
01:10:38a real authority by Adams
01:10:42Merson
01:10:44right
01:10:46a wonderful goal for Arsenal
01:10:53they've stuck a dagger into the
01:10:55Sampdoria hearts here
01:10:58with the perfection
01:11:00of the pass from Merson
01:11:01in total harmony with the run of Wright
01:11:04and yet another
01:11:06European night
01:11:07and a European goal for Ian Wright
01:11:12Svenis Eriksson
01:11:14Sampdoria's Swedish coach
01:11:17urging his team
01:11:18to commit more to attack
01:11:19on the back heel from Mancini
01:11:21and Jugovic
01:11:233-2
01:11:25a second for Jugovic
01:11:32it's an amazing first leg
01:11:34to this Cup Winners' Cup semi-final
01:11:37how about that from Mancini
01:11:40and
01:11:41Jugovic tucked it away
01:11:47a night of contrasting emotions here
01:11:50Steve Bowl with 2 goals
01:11:52another from Ian Wright
01:11:53a brilliant goal it was too
01:11:54but 2 for Jugovic
01:11:56and it's very finely balanced
01:11:58as we head for Genoa
01:11:59in the second leg
01:12:05it's a nice change isn't it
01:12:072 in a game
01:12:08normally get 2 a year
01:12:09if I'm lucky
01:12:10it's nice
01:12:11it would have been nice to have
01:12:12the 2 goal lead
01:12:13but we wouldn't be Arsenal
01:12:15if we didn't make it difficult
01:12:16for ourselves would we
01:12:19Genoa bound
01:12:20the Arsenal were particularly
01:12:21focused
01:12:22this time
01:12:23no public training session
01:12:25just a glance at the pitch
01:12:26at the Luigi Ferrara Stadium
01:12:28but still a chance
01:12:29to score some points
01:12:34it's difficult not to sound
01:12:35cliched about the team's attitude
01:12:37backs against the wall etc
01:12:39but Arsenal retired
01:12:40to Fortress Santa Margherita
01:12:42along the Genoa coast
01:12:43where they would lay their plans
01:12:45on how to break out of Italy
01:12:46victorious
01:12:52back in Genoa
01:12:53it took a police escort
01:12:54just to get the fans
01:12:55to the stadium
01:12:56for junior gunner
01:12:57Jamie Feldman though
01:12:58an extra special transit
01:13:00he would lead the team out
01:13:01as club mascot
01:13:03his brother had done
01:13:04the same job
01:13:05some years earlier
01:13:06that game too
01:13:07was a semi final
01:13:08a victorious one
01:13:09against Tottenham
01:13:10half an hour before
01:13:11the kick off
01:13:12and the dressing room
01:13:13remarkably relaxed
01:13:14just time for a few
01:13:15good luck messages
01:13:40Jamie
01:13:41Jamie
01:13:42this is my new clout
01:13:43my new clout
01:13:46and Barnum
01:13:47and Jamie
01:13:54alright Jamie how you doing
01:13:55what's the matter
01:13:56what's the matter
01:13:57what's the matter
01:13:58what's the matter
01:13:59what's the matter
01:14:00what's the matter
01:14:02you alright
01:14:09yeah
01:14:10yeah
01:14:11you going to go out
01:14:12and speak
01:14:20right in the middle Stuart
01:14:23that's it
01:14:24the game surpassed
01:14:25all expectations
01:14:26the whole range
01:14:27of emotions
01:14:28hope
01:14:29despair
01:14:30And finally, elation
01:14:35Mancini did get the pennant back
01:14:42Of all the major Italian stadiums, this is perhaps the most intimate
01:14:47steep-sided ground, great atmosphere
01:14:50and
01:14:51a semi-final here in the Cup Winners Cup stunningly poised really after
01:14:56the way the first leg went and Sampdoria with Mancini
01:14:59Have leveled into an aggregate
01:15:03The flag stayed down and they got the right man through really
01:15:08Roberto Mancini
01:15:11Lombardo was coming back and not regarded as an active player Mancini strode on and looped it over Seaman
01:15:19Oh
01:15:26Merson's corner it's in and guess who's got it Ian Wright
01:15:38Arsenal in this time of desperate need to score and Wright did not fail them
01:15:44It's
01:15:46Certainly not been a vintage season to Sampdoria in Serie A. They're really pinning all their hopes for success
01:15:53on this competition
01:15:57Well, that's given us a handball I think by Adams
01:16:03Maybe he feels he was actually forced onto the ball by Lombardo, but it is a free kick
01:16:08The wall stands firm. Oh, it's a goal and it's Bellucci
01:16:17Making it 2-1 here 4-1 on aggregate
01:16:24And Bellucci penalized with a yellow card for excessive celebrations, but for a young player
01:16:31This is a great moment
01:16:33A young player. This is a great moment an instinctive header
01:16:43Winterberg
01:16:45Arsenal committed to attack
01:16:48Hartson
01:16:50And maybe over committed to attack
01:16:54This is Lombardo at the gallop
01:16:58He's put Bellucci through
01:17:04And Sampdoria believe they're in the final now
01:17:13Linesman got it. Absolutely, right. There was no offside
01:17:18Well in this semi-final of so many twists and turns
01:17:22Arsenal have to throw everything into it now
01:17:26To try and get a goal and force extra time and now bold is in trouble. That's big trouble
01:17:34It's a booking and well should Arsenal get through he would miss the final
01:17:42Schwarz. It's in!
01:17:48Quite amazing
01:17:53Well, we were writing Arsenal's obituaries here
01:17:59But this goal by Stefan Schwarz makes it five all on aggregate
01:18:04It's been a truly amazing semi-final and it's to be decided on penalties
01:18:12Lee Dixon first to go for Arsenal and he scores
01:18:18First to go for Sampdoria is Mihailović
01:18:23Really strong left-footed shot, but Seaman saved it!
01:18:27Saved it!
01:18:33Teddy McGoldrick. Oh, he's missed it! So both sides have one failure apiece, but Arsenal have one goal
01:18:46And Seaman's done it again from Jugović
01:18:49John Hartson
01:18:52What a season it's been for him and it's a superb penalty in the circumstances
01:19:03And that's tucked away
01:19:08Tony Adams head down and drives it in!
01:19:13Arsenal are getting closer
01:19:15Manini
01:19:17So Seaman beaten
01:19:19Paul Merson steps up. Oh, and he's saved it!
01:19:25Has the chance gone?
01:19:33But Lombardo has to score to keep Sampdoria in the lead
01:19:38But Lombardo has to score to keep Sampdoria in it
01:19:44David Seaman with two saves in this shootout already. Atilio Lombardo
01:19:52And it's out! Seaman's kept it out!
01:19:56And the Arsenal celebrations can begin. They were nearly counted out
01:20:02Here tonight
01:20:05Here tonight
01:20:07Until Stefan Schwarz
01:20:09Took us to extra time
01:20:11And then the penalty shootout
01:20:13Which has belonged totally to David Seaman
01:20:15It was a great match
01:20:17You know, great entertainment
01:20:19And then just the penalties and look what happens
01:20:21I've got a routine
01:20:23And I've always done it all the way through my career
01:20:25And it's always worked
01:20:27They've got to pick their side and put it in there
01:20:29So I stand up as long as I can
01:20:31And I just get half guess
01:20:34And throw myself a loaner
01:20:42A staff of great matches are made of
01:20:44All set for a final against Spanish side Real Zaragoza
01:20:48The Arsenal ladies had totally dominated the women's game
01:20:52Marianne Spacey scoring the winner against Liverpool in the WFA Cup final
01:20:56Who would have predicted a 3-2 scoreline?
01:21:01Three days later their triumph was to be doubled
01:21:03Beating Southampton to take the league with two games in hand
01:21:11It wasn't to be the youth team's year
01:21:13Pat Rice is realistic about their purpose
01:21:17They've done magnificent because I keep changing the team around every week
01:21:19To give the boys games
01:21:21And you know that is what it's all about really
01:21:25Because who remembers who won the South East Counties League last year?
01:21:30Really who cares?
01:21:32Obviously every game we go out to actually win it
01:21:36But it's not the most important thing in the world
01:21:38The most important thing in the world is to hopefully get a player through
01:21:42And very much the same philosophy applies to the reserves
01:21:44Adrian Clarke the scorer here against Bristol Rovers
01:21:52You know the reserves are all making mistakes
01:21:54There's only one team important at the end of the day
01:21:56The first team
01:21:58Some of the reserves are going to the first team
01:22:00Consequently we lose and that's to the club's benefit
01:22:08The first team had just three games left to play in the Premiership
01:22:10Thoughts on the final in Paris
01:22:12But enough room still for a Tottenham derby
01:22:16Adams coming forward to just cajole a bit more life perhaps into Arsenal
01:22:20Helder
01:22:22Right
01:22:24Still right
01:22:27Oh he's being tugged back there
01:22:29By Edinburgh
01:22:31And it's a penalty at Highbury
01:22:33And it goes to Arsenal
01:22:37Liam Walker has done well against Wright in this game
01:22:39Oh and he went the right way too
01:22:41But the penalty powered past him
01:22:43And Arsenal have taken the lead here
01:22:47To the satisfaction of Stuart Houston
01:22:51Anderton
01:22:53Gets it wide to Rosenthal
01:22:56Edinburgh
01:22:58Goes down the outside and gets past Dixon
01:23:00Klinsman
01:23:02That's a great equaliser
01:23:08Wimbledon brought forward their Highbury date
01:23:10To allow the Gunners time for the final
01:23:12The honours shared at Arsenal's last home game of the season
01:23:20Last Premiership game
01:23:22An alternative to the final
01:23:25Against losing semi-finalists Chelsea
01:23:27Steen
01:23:29Hoddle
01:23:31Oh and he's found Furlong in the clear
01:23:33And Glenn Hoddle has made a goal
01:23:35For Furlong in his final go
01:23:41Wright
01:23:43Hartson
01:23:45Gets there before Merson
01:23:47And John Hartson tucks it away
01:23:49With real aplomb for Arsenal
01:23:55Missed by Dixon
01:23:57That's very well taken on the run by Peacock
01:24:01Oh Steen must score
01:24:03Does score
01:24:05Chelsea 2, Arsenal 1
01:24:11The Premiership title decided on the final day
01:24:13It had been a difficult year in the league
01:24:15A mid-table finish
01:24:17A fair reflection on the season
01:24:25To Paris in the spring
01:24:27And Arsenal had a fight on their hands
01:24:37Away from the media circus
01:24:39At the team's hotel in Versailles
01:24:41Comes time for reflection
01:24:43On what had been
01:24:45And what might be
01:24:47When I came into the situation in February
01:24:49The league was still in its infancy
01:24:51And I thought
01:24:54The league position was still
01:24:56Not good enough
01:24:58We were still needing points
01:25:00And the main priority
01:25:02I've always maintained
01:25:04The main priority for me
01:25:06And the players
01:25:08Was to remain in the Premier League
01:25:10And we won a few games
01:25:12And we lost a few games
01:25:14And we were up and down
01:25:16But we showed a lot of character
01:25:18Over the Easter period
01:25:20I thought
01:25:23So that was a tremendous
01:25:25Five or six days
01:25:27For the club
01:25:29We just seemed to turn the whole season round
01:25:31And now we've got
01:25:33The big bonus
01:25:35Here in Paris
01:25:37To go on and finish on a high
01:25:39Which would be a tremendous achievement
01:25:41For everybody at the club
01:25:43The Arsenal faithful flocked to the final
01:25:4515,000 of them
01:25:47A special Eurostar train through the Channel Tunnel
01:25:49Laid on to help with the demand
01:25:52Until they came to the Parc des Princes
01:25:54By plane, train and automobile
01:25:56To see the famous red and whites
01:26:00If the semi-final had stopped your heart
01:26:02The final would break it
01:26:16Hartson
01:26:19Well he's made his own luck here
01:26:21Hartson, goalkeepers missed it
01:26:23Oh and from Mersenne it's blocked on the line
01:26:25By Belsuey
01:26:31The holders
01:26:33Feeling that they were going to go in front here
01:26:35But Belsuey lucky
01:26:37That was the only place really he could have stopped it
01:26:43Esnaida
01:26:45Oh it's an amazing goal
01:26:49Esnaida
01:26:51Who broke Chelsea's hearts
01:26:53In the
01:26:55First leg of the semi-final
01:26:57Scores here
01:27:03Well Arsenal
01:27:05Rarely lack courage
01:27:07And character
01:27:09They've got to call on
01:27:11All those qualities now
01:27:13Dixon
01:27:15This is Parler
01:27:17Now Mersenne
01:27:19And it's in for the equaliser
01:27:21And it's John Hartson
01:27:23I think who's got it
01:27:29Characteristically, Arsenal have bounced back
01:27:33The drive of Parler
01:27:35Mersenne just
01:27:37Rolled it to his left
01:27:39And it was Hartson
01:27:41Who beat right to it
01:27:45Push in
01:27:47Out
01:27:49Short corner work to Pardesa
01:27:51In from Naeem
01:27:53Oh and Seaman's there again
01:27:57That's a nice touch from Esnaida
01:27:59To add his congratulations
01:28:01Of course the post helped here
01:28:05For David Seaman
01:28:07But it was a superb save
01:28:15Well we're heading
01:28:17For a penalty shootout
01:28:19Naeem
01:28:21Or are we?
01:28:23Can you believe
01:28:25What you've seen?
01:28:29Naeem
01:28:31Once of Spurs
01:28:33Has taken the Cup
01:28:35Winner's Cup
01:28:37Surely from Arsenal
01:28:39For Zaragoza
01:28:41Seaman went back
01:28:44And back
01:28:46But it's in
01:28:48And Arsenal have beaten
01:28:54But dignified in defeat
01:28:56Tony Adams said this
01:28:58Would make us stronger
01:29:02Not surprisingly
01:29:04Ian Wright leads the goal scoring tally
01:29:06For the Gunners
01:29:08What we want to know is
01:29:10How many goals in total
01:29:13Send your answers
01:29:15To the usual address
01:29:17By the end of August
01:29:19And you could have two VIP tickets
01:29:21To the opening fixture
01:29:23At Highbury next season
01:29:251995-1996 awaits
01:29:27Join us there
01:29:42You