Classic Arsenal Matches - Part 7 - Arsenal 2 Manchester United 1 FA Cup 5th Round 20/02/1988

McCLAIR, OVER AND OUT

THE ARSENAL RENAISSANCE under George Graham had been quite remarkable. After treading water in the final six years under the stewardship of firstly Terry Neill and then Don Howe, Graham had suddenly turned Arsenal into trophy winners again.

The 1986/87 season had seen them end their eight year trophy drought by lifting the Littlewoods Cup, beating Liverpool in the final, and a repeat in 1988 was looking very much the cards.

In a mirror of the previous season, the Gunners' league title challenge in 1987/88 had begun falling away after Christmas due to a lack of goals, but once again the cups were providing a route to glory.

A goal from Perry Groves had given Arsenal a 1-0 lead in the first leg of the Littlewoods Cup semi final against defending league champions, Everton, and this FA Cup 5th round meeting with Alex Ferguson's emerging Manchester United side fell just three days before the second leg. 

On a cold, crisp late winter's afternoon, a crowd of over 54,000 flocked into Highbury to witness the next chapter in what was fast becoming the start of an era of bitter rivalry between the clubs. 

A year previously at Old Trafford, Arsenal's 22 match unbeaten run had been brought to an end by a physical United side. Norman Whiteside, never one to shy away from a challenge, had nearly broken David O'Leary in two, and when David Rocastle retaliated it was the young Arsenal man who had received the red card.

Unsurprisingly the Gunners were not happy about United's physical approach and an altercation occurred in the tunnel afterwards, starting the war of attrition between the clubs that would rage on for over 20 years.

United probably started this tie as favourites. They had won 2-1 in the league at Highbury a couple of weeks earlier and would end the season 15 points ahead of Arsenal in second place. Summer signing Brian McClair had been scoring regularly and United's only concern was the absence of captain marvel, Bryan Robson.

By contrast Arsenal's summer signing Alan Smith had struggled for goals, scoring just once in the previous 19 matches, and Graham's side had won just one league match since mid-November.

But it was the hosts, looking back to their early season best, who dominated the first half. Kevin Richardson tried his luck from long range before Alan Smith ended his own personal goal drought by heading Arsenal into a 21st minute lead.

Nigel Winterburn, a left footer playing on the right, cut back onto his stronger foot and placed a perfect cross onto the head of Smith, who guided the ball past goalkeeper Chris Turner from 8 yards.

The North Bank exploded with joy, months of frustration instantly forgotten, and just before the break that sense of elation doubled along with Arsenal's lead.

A corner from the left by Richardson was flicked on at the near post off the head of United defender Mike Duxberry, and the ball had already crossed the line before Gordon Strachen attempted to head it away. 2-0. 

The second period started in a similar fashion as Smith fired into the side netting, but slowly United began to get a foothold. 

Viv Anderson, who's rampaging runs down the right had been a feature of Arsenal's attack over the previous three season's, was now plying his trade with United, and as the boos rang out around Highbury every time he received the ball, Anderson drove United forward.

Midway through the half they were rewarded for their pressure when McClair showed his goal-scoring instincts, turning home a left wing cross from Colin Gibson to half the arrears, his 20th goal of the season.

It became a real end-to-end cup tie now and one rapid Arsenal counter attack should have seen them seal the tie. 

Michael Thomas was sent clear through the middle in a typical forward thrust but he lost his composure at the crucial moment and Turner was able to deny him.

That looked like being a vital miss when in the dying moments United were awarded a penalty. 

Thomas compounded his earlier error by getting too tight to Whiteside in the area and the Irishman never needed a second invitation to go down.

McClair stepped up to face goalkeeper John Lukic in front of a baying North Bank but the Scot inexplicably blasted his kick high over the crossbar and into the jubilant sea of fans behind the goal to send United out.

Winterburn, in a nod towards Keown at Old Trafford 16 years later, ran straight over to McClair's to taunt him for the miss.

This was only the 10th game Winterburn had started for Arsenal since his move from Wimbledon the previous summer and, showing the full Crazy Gang spirit, this was the prefect way to endear himself to his new fans. 'Nutty', as he became known, had arrived. 

Two years later this particular feud would have repercussions as McClair's revenge on Winterburn at Old Trafford, kicking him in the back as he lay on the ground, led to the 21 man brawl which resulted in Arsenal having two points deducted.

Arsenal took this form into the Littlewoods Cup semi final second leg three days later, beating Everton 3-1 in front of another crowd of over 50,000, but that would be the peak of their season.

The FA Cup run ended at the next hurdle as Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest left Highbury with a 2-1 victory the following month, while Luton Town would end Arsenal's hold on the Littlewoods Cup with a 3-2 win at Wembley.

The disappointments would not last long however. While it would take United a further five years to finally end their long wait for a league title, Arsenal would end their own title drought just over a year after this cup victory. Thomas' burst through the midfield at Anfield in May 1989 had the perfect finish on that occasion.

This game came at a bad time for me. I was suffering ill health and although I was still able to attend, I was too weak to enjoy the swaying mass of the North Bank. In fact the celebrations for the goals and the penalty miss were a little too much for me and I had not recovered sufficiently to be able to attend the semi final that midweek.

It was a real shame as this would easily have ranked up there as one of my favourite ever matches at Highbury. The McClair penalty miss is surely one of the greatest moments ever at that famous old ground and I will always regret not being unable to enjoy it to the full.

Coming up next time I look back at the career of a player who certainly did know how to enjoy life to the full, even though it would lead to problems in later life; Kenny Sansom. It is one not to be missed.