Philosophy football, whose fine t-shirts can be found on the internet, organised an Anfield '89 party last night. Unofficial Arsenal historian John Spurling (who wrote a great Arsenal book - Rebels for the Cause) hosted speakers that included Jason Cowley (editor of the New Statesman and author of the recently published The Last Game) and Amy Lawrence (journalist for The Observer, ex-writer for The Gooner and author of Proud to Say That Name). The various screens in the Offside Bar on City Road showed both games played at Anfield - the '89 match and the '09 FA Youth Cup Final second leg match.

It was quite amazing how almost every single soul in a packed out pub knew the '89 game off by heart, with a hush descending in anticipation of key moments. McMahon's infamous 'one minute' gesture was eagerly anticipated in advance and jeered to the rafters. Barnes failure to take the ball to the corner and kill the game derided and Mickey's goal taking the roof off from the point prior to where Lukic picked the ball up and threw it to Lee, who really didn't want it. A rising crescendo followed the ball via Dixon and Smith on its historic path to Saint Michael. Is there a Gooner in the entire world who can watch this goal time, and time again, without a tear forming in the eye or a lump in the throat?

Meanwhile another band of Gooners were being kicked by the Scousers aided and abetted by a clown posing as a ref called Mason who should have red carded two of them in the first leg match. Liverpool's frustration at not being able to get close enough to our kids to give them a game was very evident, even with only half an eye on that particular screen it was clear to see who the dominant team were.

The Arsenal youngsters are very much a team and very much in the Wenger mould but with Stevie Bould in command they also have a certain cool, calm steel under pressure and the ability to defend. This was quite possibly the first group of players who have enjoyed the Academy all the way through under the Wenger regime. Many of this team have been together since under 9's and both their teamwork and togetherness showed.

The parallels with the '89 side didn't go unnoticed by those in the pub and more than one comment was made about how the youths provide almost more genuine pleasure and enjoyment for those who closely follow their fortunes than the first team for that very reason. Watching the game last night without commentary you just would not have known that with the skills on display that this wasn't a Premiership match, only the young faces gave that away. Outplaying any team at Anfield takes some doing. Watching two teams do it in one night was a really great form of entertainment. I look forward to the next Anfield anniversary with eager anticipation.