RocktheCasbah
Established Member
Five days ago, Arsenal achieved a 2-0 win against a team of champions that most thought impossible to imagine. Five years ago yesterday, one of the most talented, if not the most talented players from the George Graham era, David Rocastle died a tragically premature death as cancer took his life. The club celebrate that player's life today as the Gunners take on Aston Villa, a club against who "Rocky" scored a magnificent goal in that first title winning season, which brings me nicely back round to the 2-0 win against a team of champions, and all the odds, only this team was not the Old Lady of Italian football, but the then mighty Liverpool FC.
On the final weekend of the 1988/89 season, a season lengthened by the disaster that was to change football forever, Hillsborough, Arsenal had to go to Anfield, having led the table for most of the season, and not just win, but win by two clear goals in order to bring home the first Championship in 18 years. The size of the task further amplified by the stat that Liverpool have not lost by two goals at Anfield in two years, nor have Arsenal won at Anfield since 1974.The DVD It's Up For Grabs Now! tells you just what happened that night, in a full rerun of the match, complete with season highlights and interviews from fans, players and the architect of triumph, George Graham himself.
The main action kicks off as ITV's anchor, Elton Welsby (he was the Richard Keys of the 80s, if you like) hands over to the commentary team of David Pleat and the late Brian Moore. The first sight of the boys in yellow and blue comes as they run out clutching bouquets of flowers, which are then handed over to random sections of the Liverpool crowd. Prior to kick off, Peter Hill-Wood also handed over a cheque for twenty five thousand to the Hillsborough Disaster Fund.
The teams are run through, Arsenal's line up; Lukic, Dixon, Winterburn, O'Leary, Adams, Bould; Thomas, Rocastle, Richardson; Smith, Merson. Subs, Groves and Hayes. No digital enhancements here, everything is just as it was 17 years ago. If you're wondering how I could possibly remember that, I have a well-worn video of that season's review!
The match kicks off, and it is a pretty cagey affair, Arsenal, not for the first time- or the last- in their history, content to keep it tight when expected to attack. However, the first real chance falls their way as Michael Thomas gets to the byline and pulls a cross back into the penalty area, Steve Bould's towering header beats Grobelaar, but is headed off the line. As Bould himself notes on the DVD, that chance could have changed history, but then these things happen for a reason, eh?
Ian Rush's first clear sight of the Arsenal goal sees him hammer a shot towards our net, however John Lukic is right behind it and Rush injures himself in the process of shooting. Soon he is replaced by Peter Beardsley as the Arsenal fans get into voice with renditions of "Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner" and "Merseyside is full of ****". This sees a somewhat predictable, and irritating "Liiiiverpooool, Liiiiiverpoool" comeback. And that is pretty much that in a first half where Liverpool only needed one goal to surely put the title beyond Arsenal.
The action heats up early in the second half. Six minutes in, Nigel Winterburn's free kick from the right swings into the box and is glanced in by Alan Smith. Arsenal have one of the two goals they need. Perhaps predictably the Liverpool players go mad, although for no good reason. It wasn't offside and "Smudger" Smith has what can only be described as a... smudge on his cheek, which wasn't there a minute previously. A brief consultation, which Lee Dixon reckons now, was just to take the heat out of the situation, follows between ref and linesman. In the words of Brian Moore, "the goal's been given!" And the Gooners behind the goal go mad. Again.
Though the temperature visibly rises as the season plays out to its climax, yet the game never gets nasty. Witnesses of Arsenal's title triumph at Old Trafford in 2002 who haven't seen this game might struggle with the fact that only two bookings are handed out (Rocky and Richardson) in game played under the highest pressure, but in the right spirit. In fact, Rocky might have been sent off in today's game for a tackle near the end. And that is not the only difference, the game was then slowed down time and time again by the backpass. In fact, if it wasn't for the backpass being allowed then, Arsenal might never have won the title. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
For all their possession football, Liverpool never really mount a sustained period in which they look like scoring, Arsenal for their part content to go long to Smith in search of that crucial knockdown, or flick on., but both teams do have chances to seal it, Aldridge is played into the penalty area but a heavy touch denies him. Kevin Richardson plays Thomas in from about ten yards, but Thomas' shot goes straight to Grobelaar as the final ten minutes approach- Come on you yellows!
Of course, most of us have seen this action whether it be on that highlights video, or distilled into the climax of Fever Pitch, the excitement though, of watching the game in full, and knowing what is to come somewhat buttresses the effect of the somewhat patronising epitaph to our season being offered by David Pleat, "...poetic justice". And it's amazing, the game rockets towards the 89th minute, in a way it surely didn't 17 years ago as the clocked ticked down towards the end of the season. So we see Barnes and Aldridge slapping hands and most infamously, Steve McMahon waving his finger, "One minute, McMahon has got the word from the Kop". As "Smudger" said, there wasn't a clock in the ground at the time, Brian Moore would observe more pointedly, "No one knows just how much time the referee will add on".
The slapping, and the pointing and the talking frames images of Kevin Richardson down through cramp, but unable to be replaced as both Groves and Hayes have already taken the field. He gets to his feet in the end.
And so it is that is John Barnes who makes the fatal mistake, his doomed dribble towards goal, temporarily halted by Arsenal captain, Adams. Richardson "moments ago, down injured" completes the job and returns the ball to Lukic.
And then?
*SPOILER ALERT, if by some chance you are from Mars, unaware how this ends and don't wish to know now, please look away now*
"A good ball from Dixon, finding Smith, for Thomas..." Here Moore's voice rises, the realisation dawning that the "amazing and dramatic twist" he mentioned perhaps two or three minutes earlier may indeed be coming to pass...
"Thomas! Charging through the midfield!"
Thomas ricochets his way through Liverpool's midfield, into the penalty area...
"Thomas, IT'S UP FOR GRABS NOWWWWWWWWWW!"
and drops a shoulder as Grobelaar advances and goes to ground, he lifts the ball over the prone keeper and into the far corner.
"Thomas, right at the end, the Liverpool players are down absolutely abject..."
The Liverpool players, almost to a man, drop to their knees, in supplication, shattered by a defeat that they will never get over as Thomas bucks and flips like a fish hooked at last, in front of the delirious and disbelieving Arsenal fans.
Lee Dixon is so overcome he bursts into tears, lucky for him Liverpool choose to attempt a last, desperate assault down their right and Michael Thomas it is who cleans up the danger.
The ball runs out of play in the Liverpool half, and Liverpool run out of time. The Liverpool era, though they do not know it, is at an end. Although they come back to regain the title the following year, the club that dominated the 70's and much of the 80's have not won the title since 1990.
George Graham has a typically wonderful reaction to the win, as the Arsenal staff around him go mad, he waves his hands in an unheeded gesture for calm, it is perhaps the only time that season the players do not listen to him!
A wonderful night then for Arsenal, fully captured by this DVD, retrospective interviewees include fans there on the night, key players in the team; Dixon, Winterburn, O' Leary, Stevie Bould, George Graham, David Dein who can be seen delighted in the visitors changing room with celebrations in full flow, and of course Alan Smith and Michael Thomas. There is also a pitch side interview with Tony Adams as well as footage of the players arriving back from Liverpool and the North London celebrations that took place in their absence.
This could very well be the best Arsenal DVD ever; whether you were there on the night, an 11 year old in front of the telly like me on the 26th May or even if, by some chance, you know nothing about the 13 heroes that took the field that night. Buy it now, even knowing the result, the tension is a killer!
On the final weekend of the 1988/89 season, a season lengthened by the disaster that was to change football forever, Hillsborough, Arsenal had to go to Anfield, having led the table for most of the season, and not just win, but win by two clear goals in order to bring home the first Championship in 18 years. The size of the task further amplified by the stat that Liverpool have not lost by two goals at Anfield in two years, nor have Arsenal won at Anfield since 1974.The DVD It's Up For Grabs Now! tells you just what happened that night, in a full rerun of the match, complete with season highlights and interviews from fans, players and the architect of triumph, George Graham himself.
The main action kicks off as ITV's anchor, Elton Welsby (he was the Richard Keys of the 80s, if you like) hands over to the commentary team of David Pleat and the late Brian Moore. The first sight of the boys in yellow and blue comes as they run out clutching bouquets of flowers, which are then handed over to random sections of the Liverpool crowd. Prior to kick off, Peter Hill-Wood also handed over a cheque for twenty five thousand to the Hillsborough Disaster Fund.
The teams are run through, Arsenal's line up; Lukic, Dixon, Winterburn, O'Leary, Adams, Bould; Thomas, Rocastle, Richardson; Smith, Merson. Subs, Groves and Hayes. No digital enhancements here, everything is just as it was 17 years ago. If you're wondering how I could possibly remember that, I have a well-worn video of that season's review!
The match kicks off, and it is a pretty cagey affair, Arsenal, not for the first time- or the last- in their history, content to keep it tight when expected to attack. However, the first real chance falls their way as Michael Thomas gets to the byline and pulls a cross back into the penalty area, Steve Bould's towering header beats Grobelaar, but is headed off the line. As Bould himself notes on the DVD, that chance could have changed history, but then these things happen for a reason, eh?
Ian Rush's first clear sight of the Arsenal goal sees him hammer a shot towards our net, however John Lukic is right behind it and Rush injures himself in the process of shooting. Soon he is replaced by Peter Beardsley as the Arsenal fans get into voice with renditions of "Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner" and "Merseyside is full of ****". This sees a somewhat predictable, and irritating "Liiiiverpooool, Liiiiiverpoool" comeback. And that is pretty much that in a first half where Liverpool only needed one goal to surely put the title beyond Arsenal.
The action heats up early in the second half. Six minutes in, Nigel Winterburn's free kick from the right swings into the box and is glanced in by Alan Smith. Arsenal have one of the two goals they need. Perhaps predictably the Liverpool players go mad, although for no good reason. It wasn't offside and "Smudger" Smith has what can only be described as a... smudge on his cheek, which wasn't there a minute previously. A brief consultation, which Lee Dixon reckons now, was just to take the heat out of the situation, follows between ref and linesman. In the words of Brian Moore, "the goal's been given!" And the Gooners behind the goal go mad. Again.
Though the temperature visibly rises as the season plays out to its climax, yet the game never gets nasty. Witnesses of Arsenal's title triumph at Old Trafford in 2002 who haven't seen this game might struggle with the fact that only two bookings are handed out (Rocky and Richardson) in game played under the highest pressure, but in the right spirit. In fact, Rocky might have been sent off in today's game for a tackle near the end. And that is not the only difference, the game was then slowed down time and time again by the backpass. In fact, if it wasn't for the backpass being allowed then, Arsenal might never have won the title. But I'm getting ahead of myself...
For all their possession football, Liverpool never really mount a sustained period in which they look like scoring, Arsenal for their part content to go long to Smith in search of that crucial knockdown, or flick on., but both teams do have chances to seal it, Aldridge is played into the penalty area but a heavy touch denies him. Kevin Richardson plays Thomas in from about ten yards, but Thomas' shot goes straight to Grobelaar as the final ten minutes approach- Come on you yellows!
Of course, most of us have seen this action whether it be on that highlights video, or distilled into the climax of Fever Pitch, the excitement though, of watching the game in full, and knowing what is to come somewhat buttresses the effect of the somewhat patronising epitaph to our season being offered by David Pleat, "...poetic justice". And it's amazing, the game rockets towards the 89th minute, in a way it surely didn't 17 years ago as the clocked ticked down towards the end of the season. So we see Barnes and Aldridge slapping hands and most infamously, Steve McMahon waving his finger, "One minute, McMahon has got the word from the Kop". As "Smudger" said, there wasn't a clock in the ground at the time, Brian Moore would observe more pointedly, "No one knows just how much time the referee will add on".
The slapping, and the pointing and the talking frames images of Kevin Richardson down through cramp, but unable to be replaced as both Groves and Hayes have already taken the field. He gets to his feet in the end.
And so it is that is John Barnes who makes the fatal mistake, his doomed dribble towards goal, temporarily halted by Arsenal captain, Adams. Richardson "moments ago, down injured" completes the job and returns the ball to Lukic.
And then?
*SPOILER ALERT, if by some chance you are from Mars, unaware how this ends and don't wish to know now, please look away now*
"A good ball from Dixon, finding Smith, for Thomas..." Here Moore's voice rises, the realisation dawning that the "amazing and dramatic twist" he mentioned perhaps two or three minutes earlier may indeed be coming to pass...
"Thomas! Charging through the midfield!"
Thomas ricochets his way through Liverpool's midfield, into the penalty area...
"Thomas, IT'S UP FOR GRABS NOWWWWWWWWWW!"
and drops a shoulder as Grobelaar advances and goes to ground, he lifts the ball over the prone keeper and into the far corner.
"Thomas, right at the end, the Liverpool players are down absolutely abject..."
The Liverpool players, almost to a man, drop to their knees, in supplication, shattered by a defeat that they will never get over as Thomas bucks and flips like a fish hooked at last, in front of the delirious and disbelieving Arsenal fans.
Lee Dixon is so overcome he bursts into tears, lucky for him Liverpool choose to attempt a last, desperate assault down their right and Michael Thomas it is who cleans up the danger.
The ball runs out of play in the Liverpool half, and Liverpool run out of time. The Liverpool era, though they do not know it, is at an end. Although they come back to regain the title the following year, the club that dominated the 70's and much of the 80's have not won the title since 1990.
George Graham has a typically wonderful reaction to the win, as the Arsenal staff around him go mad, he waves his hands in an unheeded gesture for calm, it is perhaps the only time that season the players do not listen to him!
A wonderful night then for Arsenal, fully captured by this DVD, retrospective interviewees include fans there on the night, key players in the team; Dixon, Winterburn, O' Leary, Stevie Bould, George Graham, David Dein who can be seen delighted in the visitors changing room with celebrations in full flow, and of course Alan Smith and Michael Thomas. There is also a pitch side interview with Tony Adams as well as footage of the players arriving back from Liverpool and the North London celebrations that took place in their absence.
This could very well be the best Arsenal DVD ever; whether you were there on the night, an 11 year old in front of the telly like me on the 26th May or even if, by some chance, you know nothing about the 13 heroes that took the field that night. Buy it now, even knowing the result, the tension is a killer!
