As we're unlikely to see terraces again at football, this is the virtual equivalent where you can chat to your hearts content about all football matters and, obviously, Arsenal in particular. This forum encourages all Gooners to visit and contribute so please keep it respectful, clean and topical.
16 years ago today an Arsenal team refused to lay down against overwhelming odds and won a European trophy in one of the great nights in the clubs history
Unlike todays bunch of over-paid under-achievers they played their hearts out for the club and beat Parma 1-0 in Copenhagen
And we had a keeper who could catch a ball and the greatest back four ever
And yes rose-tinters we did win trophies before Wenger arrived
donaldo wrote:16 years ago today an Arsenal team refused to lay down against overwhelming odds and won a European trophy in one of the great nights in the clubs history
Unlike todays bunch of over-paid under-achievers they played their hearts out for the club and beat Parma 1-0 in Copenhagen
And we had a keeper who could catch a ball and the greatest back four ever
And yes rose-tinters we did win trophies before Wenger arrived
donaldo wrote:And yes rose-tinters we did win trophies before Wenger arrived
In fact, during the 1993-1995 period, we played in five finals in three years. And that was with Jensen, Hillier, Selley, Helder, and at the end, Stewart Houston.
I'd certainly take five finals in three years in this climate. Maybe even just one little league cup final would be a real treat.
goonersid wrote:I think the words belief, character, ability, desire and determination spring to mind.
I'm sorry, I dont understand any of those words. Maybe I've been watching football too long. I've heard ability before but I'm not sure in which context.
Well done, Donaldo for reminding us of this anniversary, May 4th 1994 I remember it well. 16 years ago today we had an injury ravaged team - all apart from the back 5 (and even then Seaman had to have painkillers for a cracked rib I think it was) and even with Hillier, Selley and McGoldrick we still defied a Parma team technically superior and with flair players in abundance (Asprilla, Zola and Brolin spring to mind).
One of the greatest nights in the club's history. We had spirit, fight and determination. No chances of us doing anything like that today - we wouldn't be able to keep a clean sheet for a start and sad thing is that we would now probably be the equivalent of Parma.
It wasnt free flowing brilliant one touch football, in fact a lot of GG's later years was pretty turgid to watch, but we ground out results and got silverware in the cupboard. How much have we progressed in 16 years?
A reminder that George Graham wasn't such a bad Manager. But don't forget that he was instrumental in breaking up a very talented squad that had won the league in 1989 and 1991. Although 1989 is remembered the most for "that night" at Anfield, we'd put ourselves in that position through some disastrous results in the run in. In 1991 we only lost one game (Chelsea away....just about my only away game that season !) and looked to be on the verge of dominating English football.
The fact that by 1994 we were so reliant on some very ordinary players was because of Graham's mismanagement and it was that more than taking bungs that ended up getting him the sack.
PS And before you all get too nostalgic, in 1995 Arsenal laid down and let Nayim score - and ended up losing not to Barcelona or Real Madrid but to some two bob Spanish team that even now I can't remember what they were called without looking it up.....
!) and looked to be on the verge of dominating English football.
