Our classic match report for the Manchester United programme is the one that kicked off a rivalry that lasted the best part of two decades and would see a number of controversial incidents. Again, we’ve included a copy of the programme, in which you can read about the plans to develop the Clock End.

To read the whole programme, click on the cover

To read the whole programme, click on the cover

Date: Saturday 20 February 1988

Competition: FA Cup fifth round

Location: Highbury

Attendance: 54,161

Referee: David Hutchinson

Arsenal 2 (Smith 21, Duxbury (own goal) 41)

Manchester United 1 (McClair 51)

Match Report:

This pulsating cup tie was orchestrated by two of the game’s masters of motivation with George Graham looking to have outwitted Alex Ferguson. The first half was completely dominated by an Arsenal team that outplayed United with pace, power and determination.

Jesper Olsen was expected to lead Nigel Winterburn a merry dance down the left wing but not only did the stand-in right back keep the Dane at bay, he set up the opening goal after 21 minutes. David Rocastle threaded a neat pass down the right wing which Winterburn ran onto. He put in an unorthodox cross, with his left foot, to the far post where Alan Smith had timed his run perfectly to nod in.

With four minutes of the first half remaining Arsenal won a corner. Richardson swung it in from the left and the unfortunate Mike Duxbury glanced it past Chris Turner in the United goal.

The introduction of Clayton Blackmore for the ineffective Olsen proved to be an astute tactical change which allowed Colin Gibson more freedom in attack. This paid off in the 51st minute when Gibson played the ball in to Brian McClair on the right who volleyed home his 20th goal of the season.

This goal spurred United on and they went all out to grab an equaliser, but their cavalier approach left them susceptible to the counter attack.

Thomas had a glorious chance to restore Arsenal’s two goal lead when he ran on to a perfectly timed Rocastle through ball. However, as he bore down on Turner he contrived to trip over the ball and United were spared.

Arsenal’s goal lived a charmed life as Kenny Sansom cleared a Blackmore shot off the line and a Viv Anderson cross that went across the face of the goal, needed just the slightest of touches to go in, was wasted.

Into the closing stages the game was played in and around Arsenal’s penalty area. Michael Thomas was lucky that none of the officials saw him push Peter Davenport over but his luck finally ran out when he tripped Norman Whiteside in the box. McClair teed up the spot kick in front of the North Bank. Several thousand Arsenal fans did everything they could to distract McClair and he lofted the ball high into the North Bank to thunderous cheers, which meant Arsenal’s name was put into the hat for the quarter-final draw.

Line-ups:

Arsenal: J Lukic, N Winterburn, K Sansom, M Thomas, D O’Leary (G Rix), T Adams, D Rocastle, M Hayes, A Smith, P Groves, K Richardson. Unused substitute: N Quinn.

Manchester United: C Turner, V Anderson, S Bruce, G Hogg (L O’Brien), C Gibson, G Strachan, M Duxbury, N Whiteside, J Olsen (C Blackmore), B McClair, P Davenport.

Post-match comments:

Following the game George Graham commented: “I thought we were outstanding in the first half. There was only one team in it for 50 minutes, they got the big lift with their goal and the game was back within their grasp.”

The Arsenal manager could hardly resist it when someone teed him up with the question: “Did you feel you were heading for a replay when McClair stepped up for the penalty?” Graham replied: “No, I thought he would miss it.” The assembled media laughed raucously as Graham added: “that’s the power of positive thinking.”

He was also concerned about gaining a reputation for the failure of other teams: “I hope I’m not going to get a lucky Arsenal tag. They got the penalty. We didn’t. And they missed it.” This came after Trevor Steven of Everton had missed a penalty two weeks earlier at Goodison Park in the Littlewoods’ Cup semi-final first leg.

Of his recently converted central midfielder Graham said: “Michael Thomas did a super job, first in midfield, then in the centre of defence, full back, midfield, centre back… He’s like Captain Marvel. I’m just wondering what he’d be like if we played him up front!!”

After scoring his first goal since New Year’s Day Alan Smith said: “It was good to score in a game as important as that one. But I feel I have been making a contribution, even when I haven’t been scoring.”

Alex Ferguson admitted that United had come out with a more positive attitude in the second half due to him giving his team a kick up the backside; an early version of the hairdryer, no doubt.

He also tried to deflect any blame for the defeat from McClair : “Our only criticism of Brian is that you should hit the target from the penalty spot, but he can’t be blamed for our defeat. We didn’t believe in ourselves enough in the first half and we conceded two bad goals.”

Facts about linked to the match or players:

Jesper Olsen could have been an Arsenal player. In 1978 he came over from Denmark for a trial with Alan Nedergaard. Both played for the reserves against Bristol Rovers and Jesper even scored. However, this wasn’t enough to impress Terry Neill, and the two youngsters returned home after this game.

This win meant that Arsenal had now lost just one of 18 cup ties since George Graham had been appointed manager.

This was the second of seven consecutive games that Arsenal played at Highbury in 35 days. The programme editor must have been close to nervous exhaustion!

The rest of the cup run / season:

Arsenal were installed as favourites to win the FA Cup following this win. In the quarter-finals they were drawn at home to Nottingham Forest where they were watched by their third crowd of more than 50,000 in 21 days – a rare occurrence in that era. Arsenal were completely out of sorts, and lost 1-2.

Facts relating to the Season:

Earlier in the season the Arsenal team had gone a club record run of 14 consecutive wins.

Although the option to use two named substitutes had been introduced the previous season, the Daily Mirror had discovered a loophole that meant that teams could actually use two of five named substitutes as in European competitions. However, no club exercised their right to do so.

Daily Mirror 20 February 1988 (Click to enlarge)

Daily Mirror 20 February 1988
(Click to enlarge)

Daily Mirror 20 February 1988 (Click to enlarge)

Daily Mirror 20 February 1988
(Click to enlarge)

Despite losing to Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup, Arsenal did reach Wembley, where they played Luton in the Littlewoods Cup. However, it was Arsenal’s turn to miss a penalty and they went on to lose 2-3 to The Hatters.

Background to the article

This season we’ve been asked to write a regular page in the official Arsenal programme based on a classic match featuring the opponents for each game we play in. Programme editor Andy Exley has kindly given us permission to reproduce the match reports on our blog. We will also be including additional material that didn’t make the final edit of the programme. If you can’t get to The Emirates, the programme is available on iPad and iPod for a bargain 69 pence per issue.

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