James Turk
Yeovil 1971
It was 21 years since the Gunners last lifted the famous trophy when they were drawn away to Somerset side Yeovil Town. Only 4,374 spectators made it into Huish Park to watch Arsenal comfortably win 3-1 on a pitch that would give the Emirates groundsman nightmares. The pick of the goals was a looping header scored by John Radford.
Sheffield United 1978
The club had endured some of their worst years in its entire history in the mid-70s. So when Terry Neill prized away Malcolm “SuperMac” MacDonald away from Tyneside in 1976, Gooners everywhere hoped that the glory days were coming back. In some ways, they did. But it took time to develop a trophy winning side again. In 1978, they were drawn away to play Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. Arsenal were scoring plenty of goals, and in this tie it showed just how much SuperMac’s signing changed the club. David O’Leary opened the scoring with a well taken header. SuperMac himself would inevitably get in on the act, scoring twice as Arsenal recorded an impressive 5-0 win over the second division side.
Sheffield Wednesday 1979
The next year the Gunners found themselves back in Sheffield to face Wednesday. Things didn’t go quite so well as they had at Bramall Lane, although Alan Sunderland opened the scoring in the first half with a bullet header. This match is mostly notable for the interference in the second half, when Pat Jennings was getting pelted with snowballs. It wasn’t quite as light-hearted as it seemed, as the game had to be delayed for several minutes. Wednesday did get their equaliser, but it would take four replays for Arsenal to finally grind them down. Success of course was waiting at Wembley in May for the first time in eight years.
Hereford United 1985
In 1985 Arsenal were drawn away to face fourth division side Hereford United at Edgar Street. Thirteen years earlier it was the scene of the most famous FA Cup giantkilling when Ronnie Radford’s winner beat first division Newcastle United. You couldn’t blame the travelling Gooners for feeling apprehensive ahead of the match, especially considering the topsy turvy form which defined the club in the mid-80s. The match itself started at a frantic pace with Hereford threatening the Arsenal goal and almost taking an unlikely lead. However it was the visitors that made the first breakthrough. Charlie Nicholas teed up striking partner Tony Woodcock for a fantastic long rage goal. Hereford of course would equalise, earning a replay at Highbury. In typical mid-80s Arsenal fashion the team decided to put in a great performance, eventually running out 7-2 winners.
Grimsby Town 1986
Another banana skin of a tie awaited a year later. Given the seven goal scoreline and the frenetic nature of this match, it’s a wonder it isn’t more well known than the other FA Cup 3rd rounders here. Arsenal were enjoying a mini-renaissance in early 86. After an uninspiring start to the league season, the team had somehow managed to beat Liverpool, United and a decent QPR side during Christmas, and avoided defeat against our North London neighbours in the New Year. Grimsby however were a solid division 2 outfit, and would ultimately provide a sterner test than Hereford the year before. They would take the lead early in the first half, before a superb Graham Rix free kick found its way into the Grimsby net. Eventually, Arsenal ran out 4-3 winners, Charlie Nicholas grabbing a superb hat-trick.
Wrexham 1992
The Racecourse Ground, Wrexham. It was the setting for a very hard fought 3-2 cup win in 1978, but also a notorious defeat fourteen years later. Is there anything new that can be said about this embarrassing defeat? We were the champions of England, and they were the plucky underdogs that fancied a fightback after going a goal down to Alan Smith’s opener. The hero for the Welsh side was one Micky Thomas, a name synonymous for playing for dodgy sides that beat us, as well as scoring the most important goal in our history in 1989. The 37 year old scored the equalising free kick, before Steve Watkin unbelievably scored the winner two minutes later. This clash would become so famous, that it hilariously has a Wikipedia page of it’s own. F***ing Wrexham.
Yeovil Town 1993
If any Gooners thought a repeat of the great 1971 clash at Huish Park was a good omen, they weren’t wrong! This intimate venue provided the platform for the great Ian Wright to grab his first hat-trick since the last match of the 1992 season, remembered so well as being the farewell to the old North Bank. The pick of the goals was an exquisite chip in front of the travelling fans. As the superstitious Gooners had hoped, Arsenal would go on and win the cup, beating Sheffield Wednesday in a replay.
Sunderland 1997
Roker Park was never a happy hunting ground for us. In fact I remember being 100% sure we were going out early as soon as the opening match at Highbury ended in a draw. John Hartson’s goal was not enough, so up to Sunderland we went for the now famous replay at Roker Park. The mercurial talent that was Dennis Bergkamp opened the scoring in what is probably one of the best FA Cup goals ever. It came about by the Dutchman completing a superb turn which confused two Sunderland defenders, before composing himself and curling a fantastic finish into the top right corner for the goal, that prompted Peter Reid to come out with the only worthwhile thing he’s ever said. “I started clapping myself, before realising I was the Sunderland manager.” Stephen Hughes capped off a good night’s work with a crouching header, to give the Gunners a 2-0 win.
Leeds United 2004
Arsenal’s history with Leeds United isn’t actually that great. Two cup final defeats; one in the League Cup in 1968, and the other four years later in the FA Cup are two big blotches. However this was the year of the Invincibles. Despite going one down to a poacher’s goal from Mark Viduka, Wenger’s team hit back in fantastic form. Goals from Henry, Edu, Kanu and another in injury time from Robert Pires were more than enough to send the travelling army of Gooners home, satisfied with another fantastic showing from their soon to be Invincibles. The FA Cup campaign this year was ended in a disappointing defeat at Villa Park by a certain team from Manchester.
Liverpool 2007
Anfield traditionally brings out either the best in Arsenal or the worst. This encounter is best remembered for Rosicky scoring two world class goals. The first was a fine chip in front of the Kop, which dropped beautifully over Pepe Reina’s head. Later he would dribble through the Liverpool defence and score a well taken second, before Dirk Kuyt got Liverpool back into the game. Thierry Henry finished the Scousers off by chasing a loose ball and hounding Carragher into an error, finishing off with a cool strike which sent the travelling Gooners into ecstasy.
