Anfield 89

On 26th May 1989 Arsenal went to Liverpool needing a 2-0 win to clinch the title. Because of fixture congestion and the Hillsborough disaster, the fixture had been put back to the end of the season, after Liverpool had won the FA Cup.
This created a unique situation where the 2 teams still in with a chance of the title played each other for it at the end of the season. And let's face it, the sympathy of everyone but Arsenal fans was with the double-chasing scousers.
The odds were against us. Liverpool hadn't lost by 2 goals at home in donkeys years. But master tactician George Graham went there with a plan, and it worked.
Alan Smith glanced in a header early in the second half, and with the Liverpool bench in triumphal mode as the game entered the last minute, Arsenal launched one last attack.....

[@sealark1719]

I remember THE Double (1971), the five minute final of '79 and even the elation of finally winning the League Cup in '87 plus all the silverware that has come since but no Arsenal memory eclipses this one. I've read on other threads that the Thomas goal was Arsenal's Sergio Aguero moment, utter rubbish! Aguero's goal was Man City's Micky Thomas moment 🥅

[@go4gkr1]

Boring boring Arsenal was our rep back then but George Graham and the boys gave us the most unforgettable moment in our Arsenal fan lives. i remember i hired a car because i didn't want to risk mine being damaged and 4 of us drove across the country without tickets just to be there. Luckily we all scored tickets and got in for the match,. What you didn't see was every time the ball was down at our end of the pitch grobbelaar would turn to us in the corner (second half) and just take the piss (out of camera view). When that second goal went in karma hit and we went wild. Unbelievable night! One thing that did stand out about that night actually was the Liverpool supporters who were regal in defeat, many came across the pitch to shake hands with Arsenal fans and say well done you deserved that. Big respect to them for that because at that time to beat Liverpool at Anfield was practically unheard of especially like that. No one thought we could do it but the mood in our corner was carnival all the way through. i can't explain it but it just felt like we were going to do it from the start. We stayed in that stadium singing Arsenal!!! and the team had to come out their dressing room 3 times, it was such a brilliant day. We drove home (4 hours) and my mum had taped the match and left a stack of beer on the dining room table with a note saying well done boys (like we actually won it lol). it was a Friday night match and well into the early hours but we cracked the beer open and watched the match again then went down the news agents and bought every paper to read about the reviews. then we just went on the lash the whole weekend nonstop till Sunday night when our local finally kicked us out haha, ahhhh what a memoryyy TY George and ty Arsenal!!!!

[@Nick-ei5on]

That Arsenal had the balls

[@imarsenalman]

Liverpool were overwhelming favourites to win the title - the Daily Mirror's sports sections led with the headline "You Haven't Got A Prayer, Arsenal"

[@OscarBravoUSA]

George Graham, narrating an Arsenal history video, said, "In order for Arsenal to win their first League title in 18 seasons, they would not only have to win at Liverpool - something they hadn't done in 14 seasons - but would also have to win by at least two goals. Everybody said, that was impossible. But we didn't think so."

[@u2mixer]

I'm a Liverpool fan and thtis still hurts like hell - and always will! But you have to give it to the Gunners coming to our fortress and winning like that - respect. As you remember, we signed Thomas later on and he was a decent player and a good bloke. YNWA

[@Lone_starz]

Arsenal the best team in the world

[@UcheOG]

Don't even pay attention to the idjits talking about Man City vs QPR. Everyone knows which way is up. I can't even place our unbeatable season above Anfield '89. Man City '12 towers over the league in talent, as we did in '03-'04. But in '89 we had a gang of kids, feeling as if they'd already thrown away their chance, having to go kick down a fortress. A season's finish that will never be beaten!

[@Muriwain]

Got to love the Peter Hill Wood quote..... he turned to me, took the cigar out of his mouth and said "Never in any doubt"....

[@uncleslash777]

im a Man United fan and i even got goosebumps- what a finish!

[@SaxonGlory]

I couldn't agree more with that! Fortress Anfield back then and we did it against every expectation!

[@bigbadbill0071]

what amazing history arsenal have. winning titles at anfield, old trafford and white hart lane (twice). have they done it any other rivals?

[@eddielasowsky7777]

An everton fan living off of another clubs history? I would have never believed it lol.

[@farhantausif7242]

Lol....Everton fans can only celebrate other club's victory

[@sealark1719]

In all fairness your boys did disrupt the Anfield domination in the mid eighties

[@ImAverage-hj3ty]

We won the league at Stamford bridge in 1933, then we won the league again at Stamford bridge in 1934.

[@GrainneCarney]

IT was the most dramatic season deciding game ever. but I think the thing even as, if not especially as an Arsenal Fan, that I will take away with me, and say this is why I am proud of my Club, is the giving of Flowers to the home crowd before the game.

[@manusiaganteng2753]

David Dean has the most soothing voice

[@NickNorthBank]

I was there!! The best night ever. Cheers to the boys for the 20 year dinner last week too. Legends.

[@Mn3mation]

Arsenal have won the league in Anfield 89 , Old trafford 2002 ,, white heart lane 2004

[@RayJacksonbighmw]

Can'tfield in 1989 (thanks to Michael Thomas), Old Toilet in 2002 (thanks to Sylvain Wiltord)....and TWICE at SHITE HART LANE!!! (1971, and that unbeaten season in 2004) #COYG

[@afcesuh6108]

White Harte lane 71

[@afcesuh6108]

As the ol' song goes, We won the league at Anfield We won it at the lane 😂 We won it at Old Trafford No one can say the same Allez Allez Allez 😂

[@SaxonGlory]

I still watch this every now and then and remember how I jumped out of my chair in absolute glee and broke my finger on the ceiling.....never felt a thing until a few hours later.

[@Trinireds86]

One of the great moments in Arsenal's history! Makes me so proud to be a Gooner

[@APoxOnNordStream]

It is the greatest moment in Arsenal history.. so far.

[@vamborooolz]

Went to all the home games that season and half the away games. Had a ticket for this game and set off from London too late, got stuck on the M6 in roadworks with no car radio. Went straight onto meet a mate in Colwyn Bay and still didn't know the score until 10 O'clock. Still got the ticket somewhere, it has 'restricted view' printed on it. Hahaha.

[@COOLKILLERO2]

I get goosebumps every time I watch this

[@rojlord]

Remember that game so clearly. I thought it was so weird at time for us to be playing on a Friday. Will never forget it ever.

[@dorians35]

epic. 22 years gone by and still the best domestic game ever.

[@markie1979]

Funny seeing Kenny Sansom speaking ironically he had a goal disallowed playing for Newcastle at Highbury a month or so earlier if that goal had stood this magic night would not have happened

[@125or200px]

This game earned me a tenner. My workmate who was a Liverpool fan lost out as i said it would be 2-0 to Arsenal. My reaction to the last minute goal was ringing him and telling him to bring the money to work lol. As a Sheff Weds fan,it was the one and only time i ever put money on the gunners.

[@superdc18]

The best last day ever !!!!!!

[@tracydoyle6]

I support Celtic but this is the only price of football history that sends a shiver down my spine

[@imarsenalman]

Well said! Relegation fodder at home doesn't compare to the mighty Liverpool of that time! And even the goal difference was the same, Arsenal won it on goals scored!

[@vamborooolz]

Thanks. But I was pretty stupid leaving it so late. It was a bank holiday weekend. My God, that was 23 years ago tonight. One of the unsung heroes that season was a guy called Kevin Richardson. A ball winner and defensive foil. He never got the credit he deserved for that season. And of course, Rocky. Remember his goal against Villa on New Years Day that sent us top of the league. Some local urchins in Aston offered to mind our car while the match was on.

[@sealark1719]

I remember his goal at Anfield in the League Cup that season. That's how you put your laces through the ball. RIP Rocky - Arsenal Legend

[@kwameaboagye121]

Arsenal going to Anfield and beat Liverpool 88/89 season to win our first league title since 70/71. Phenomenal absolutely beautiful.

[@kachekieran]

and the end of great things for liverpool...

[@martinodoni8943]

They were champions again one year later.

[@alastairsaint8723]

George Graham deserves more respect for changing the culture at Arsenal he turned that club around just as much as as Wenger did.

[@mrflynn1205]

Wenger eroded what George Graham instilled, he made Arsenal fragile and weak.

[@Burncourtable]

It was the beginning of great things for Arsenal

[@GoonerRed]

The hair on my neck is still standing up. Magic night. One more minute, ha ha

[@chrisp5688]

Never in doubt.

[@DDazzle1]

What an 80s celebration

[@UncleMikeNJ]

In America, this was never mentioned. Even the Hillsborough disaster was a one-day story. The date this was published was listed as September 29, 2008, and that's about the time that I found out about it.

[@dorians35]

epic. 22 years gone by and still the greatest night in British domestic football. Class.

[@londonlover69]

never 4get this game!!!!!!!! we are the best

[@jakbarne]

BOLLOCKS! Most neutral fans, heck even Liverpool fans would think that this was the best end to a league finish ever. The fact of the matter is Arsenal had built a team with hard work, and a good academy, you know without thrashing around millions of pounds. Well you don;t, anyway Arsenal went to the best team in the country, and had won the Champions league the previous season, in comparison to QPR were in a lower LEAGUE the previous season. Anfield had not witnessed a loss this big for 3 years

[@tonelemoan]

I was there, still have my ticket stub.

[@big78900]

The decline of Liverpool began on this day

[@rjay1340]

We were all there , in spirit , yaaaaaah gunners , fukin lunatic night , ATID, coyg 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@afcesuh6108]

Couldn't make it too Anfield that night but watched it at home in Enfield Spurs terroity ,but after the final whistle Enfield erupted I never knew so many ARSENAL fans were up that way .Kissed the wife and kids straight out the door on my way to Islington it was bedlam came home the following morning .I remember the number 19 bus ,the driver stopped down the Avenell road got out of his bus and unfurled a huge Arsenal flag massive cheer went up ,he then got back on his bus and made a slow journey through the crowds magnificent night .

[@martinodoni8943]

Under the old goals average system from the 1970s, Liverpool would still have been champions that year. The tiny details sometimes change everything

[@BurnzyRaps]

amazing

[@martinhasson4942]

THE GREATEST SMASH AND GRAB IN LEAGUE HISTORY 8⃣9⃣

[@woodywoodpecker1984]

While man city's is the best EPL finish - the best top flight league finish has to be this one for it was the top 2 in the country battling for the title in this match. Not relying on any other team doing a favour.

[@eddiepower3876]

Just sayin a great team starts at the back and great defenders are every bit as important as great attackers in a great team so they should get even credit after 42 hard games the very fact that Arsenal are the only team to go a league season unbeaten and deservedly so go into the record books is becausr not that they scored at old Trafford that season but because Van Nissleroy missed a last minute penalty for united enabling Arsenal to keep a just as important clean sheet as scoring a goal that day hence defence is every bit as important as attack

[@squirestew4u]

is that George Graham that they're interviewing?

[@goonerz]

fuckin' excellent

[@harryantino]

The story at 6:24 is why we should all respect PHW although he wasn't a great chairman

[@blagultfan]

3:03 haha mental fan ! XD LOVE IT !!!!!!!

[@Chrisruleshughes]

MINE TOO, AND IM A UNITED FAN!WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

[@brenomahony]

Liverpool winning the league last season has helped ease the pain of this a bit. Would need another 5 or 6 titles to ease it fully! I only watched it in parts as it clashed with the Late Late Show and Gay Byrne ruled supreme in our house, still saw both goals live. Well deserved for Arsenal, although if they hadn't won, it would go down as one of biggest chokes ever, up there with Man Utd in 91/92 and 11/12 and Liverpool 13/14. Did Liverpool create any chances? If only Barnes had gone to the corner flag just before the end instead of trying to cross it.

[@UcheOG]

I bet a large proportion of the talk-up of Man City's finish is coming from Salford, where work quite a few pundits still hoping to shrug off the memory of Anfield '89.

[@imarsenalman]

Thats an interesting story!

[@budacor]

juego perfecto

[@ay613]

thanks for this vid, . May i ask where do u think u will go when u die u dont have to answer if u dont want to?

[@rodninio]

I was there

[@rigsby1454]

proper arsenal

[@martinhasson4942]

FEVER PITCH 🔄🔄🔄🔄🔄🔄🔄

[@arsenal2death]

ohh wat a game wat a team wat a destiny wat a season

[@CUSTARDMIKE]

KING GEORGE

[@FlyFlicks]

nice shorts.

[@rojlord]

City achievement doesn't come close.

[@johnduthie316]

I was doing some research on which football team in England I should support, and then I saw the horrible events of heysel and hillsborough, games that liverpool were involved in, and at that point I thought I could not support liverpool, and then I saw this victory of Arsenal over Liverpool, and I thought yes I can suppport arsenal.... go the gunners

[@martinodoni8943]

Ghastly and ignorant remark on numerous levels.

[@mastercooly7]

pause 6.29 absolutely ilaruous yeeesss face

[@johnduthie316]

@mononokehime316uk Hillsborough - Did some research. the Taylor report said that the consumption of alcohol and the attempt to enter the ground without a ticket, were secondary factors. Which does not equate to 'not the fault of Liverpool, but equates to 'some of the fault'. And we both agree on Heysel. RIP the 39 people who died at Heysel. Thank God for the changes that were implemented, and the ban and the convictions. Let me know if the wikipedia is wrong.

[@sealark1719]

I was at Heysel in 1980 for the CWC final against Valencia. I thought then it was a sh*those, probably chosen for it's central location and ability to hold a large crowd. The segregation was poor and the terraces were death traps, each step was worn down gravel with a trip hazard of a kerb stone at the front. Sadly as it too often seems, people have to die for anything to be done about it

[@martinodoni8943]

I don't think you know anything much about either disaster.

[@garethfieldstead7547]

But for Hillsborough this game would have been an irrelevance. Liverpool would have beaten my club Everton without a doubt. Hansen after the game. Yes but 95 people lost there lives, does it matter? Says it all.

[@danieljamesmead]

Still hurts

[@Kill--alllll---IDF]

Me being 11 years old in 1989 i ALWAYS cried WEN Wimbledon beat us in cup final 88

[@eddiepower3876]

this game should have gone to a playoff as both teams finished exactly the same on points and goal difference. arsenal scored eight goals more but liverpool conceded eight goals less.' a team that wins eight games 3-2 is not better than a team that wins eight games 2-1. defence is every bit as important as attack in a winning team

[@Invinciblez18]

But ultimately what wins football matches is scoring goals. So if you HAD to pick one, its goals scored as supposed to conceded.

[@LipWisbech]

Invinciblez18 but re-ultimately,what loses you football matches is goals conceded so if you had to pick one....

[@Invinciblez18]

LipWisbech Its a bit of an egg/chicken argument. But anyone knows winning comes first because that is a positive where as losing is negative. Therefore you are firstly judged on what you have done to be positive which is scoring goals as supposed to focussing solely on keeping them out.

[@Akash_Tyagi_93]

+Eddie Power well. all is to encourage attacking football. simple. that's why 3-2 is better than 2-1 and rightly so.

[@kflem80]

Arsenal had a 1 better goal difference

[@billybigtime2808]

1 minute 1 minute

[@imarsenalman]

yes its him with the Scottish accent.

[@johnedwards4492]

You talk shit

[@Div4Dante]

Miles better than City who done it against shi#ey QPR Arsenal were up against the best team in the country havin tae win by two goals🤪👏🏼⚽️

[@johnduthie316]

@snico sad ? I didn't cause any deaths ! Ok one of the events wasn't the fault of some sad liverpool supporters, but 1 definitely is. thats sad

[@FOFballer]

well, liverpool sucks now... so i guess things do change.

[@festavision]

... I guess it swings in roundabouts lol

[@alanlfc1892]

Speaking of Hysel the year before in Rome the Italian fans where stabbing Liverpool fans and dropping concrete on the buses and one 13 year old Liverpool fan was nearly ripped apart neading 200 odd stitches on his face alone. I Think this had a lot to do with what happened at Hysel

[@goonerboz6023]

I was there