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Arsenal are one of the most successful football clubs in the professional game in England. However, the 13 league titles, 13 FA Cup trophies, 2 League Cups, 15 Community Shields, and UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup trophy have not come without its fair share of controversy. Here are the top 5 most ridiculous scandals to hit the club over the years.
Knighton’s Drug Takers (1924/25)
The Gunners were formed in 1886 and the first scandal involving the club can be traced back to the management days of Leslie Knighton in the 1924/25 season. Knighton was never the most popular manager at the club. He was also alleged to have given his players some “little silver pills” prescribed by a Harley Street doctor for their FA Cup 1st Round game with West Ham. After taking the pills, it was claimed that the players performed like super humans. Was it one of the first instances of drug cheating in the sport?
George Graham Bung Scandal (1994/95)
The early 1990s were a time when English football was plagued by bung allegations and rumours of match-fixing. Arsenal manager George Graham found himself dragged into the controversy when it was discovered he had accepted an illegal payment of £425,000 from notorious Norwegian football agent Rune Hauge in 1992 when Arsenal had signed two of his clients in John Jensen and Pal Lydersen. Graham was eventually sacked in the February of the 1994/95 season and banned from club management for a year by the FA.
Pizzagate (2004/05)
The infamous Battle of the Buffet came at a time when relations between Arsenal and title rivals Manchester United were at an all-time low. After a tempestuous game at Old Trafford on 24th October, 2004 that saw United prevail as 2-0 winners, it all kicked off in the tunnel between players and staff of both teams. The highlight of the incident being the allegation that Arsenal’s Cesc Febregas threw a slice of pizza at United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Mark Arber Bets Big On Ozil Transfer (2013/14)
Arsenal academy coach Mark Arber had the book thrown at him when it was revealed he had used insider knowledge to win money on a bet relating to Mesut Ozil signing for the Gunners. Ozil signed for Arsene Wenger’s side for £42 million at the end of the August 2013 transfer window. Arber posted on social media website Twitter that he had a “Lovely bit of 14/1 Mesut!”. Arber’s father, Bob, was an Arsenal scout and it was alleged that Arber had used inside information to place a bet on the assist king joining the club. The tweet came at a time when the relationship between football professionals and online sports betting was under huge scrutiny. Despite the rising popularity of online betting as well as sports gambling, FA regulations stated that players and staff were not allowed to bet on games or markets relating to the professional game. The FA decided not to charge Arber over his conduct. However, Arsenal showed zero tolerance and made the decision to part company with Arber given the evidence at hand.
Sanchez Offers School Girl £1,000 for Sex (2017/18)
Arsenal’s former star Alexis Sanchez was a talisman for the Gunners for a number of seasons before his January 2018 transfer window move to Manchester United. However, the Chilean wizard still had time to taint the reputation of the club before he left. Newspaper reports claimed Sanchez had offered a 20-year-old student, Paulina Sobierajska, £1,000 in exchange for sexual favours back on 25th August, 2017 despite having a girlfriend. The controversy has been swept under the carpet by both Arsenal and United.
Dishonourable Mentions
It’s tough to crack into the top 5 list of Arsenal scandals. So, it seems only right to pay a lack of respect to some other instances. Ashley Cole being tapped up by Chelsea ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge back in the 2004/05 season. Olivier Giroud was also found to have cheated on his wife during the 2013/14 season after pictures emerged of his hotel meeting with model Celia Kay. Finally, who could forget Alex Iwobi’s 3am party just hours before the Gunners lost 4-2 to Championship side Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup. Unlucky for not making the list lads!
