1. Home
  2. Online Exclusive

A little reminiscence

23 years ago…

30 March, 2015 10:00 38 comments
A little reminiscence

SUBSCRIBE TO THE GOONER

With the international break proving predictably quiet on the Arsenal front, aside from Danny Welbeck’s injury on England duty, it’s an opportunity to run a submission for our ‘Goals, Goals, Goals’ feature in the current issue of The Gooner which we didn’t run in the issue because another contributor had already claimed this particular seven goal demolition from 1992.

We asked contributors to send in their memories of matches in which Arsenal scored five or more goals, inspired originally by the five goal demolition of Aston Villa back in January. Hopefully, this particular game will bring back some good memories…

Arsenal 7 Sheffield Wednesday 1
February 15th 1992

Arsenal had only won one out of their previous nine games since Christmas and drawn their last four at home. Four days earlier against Norwich there had been protests by Arsenal supporters againsy the club's proposed bond scheme, designed to finance converting the terracing in the North Bank (where I stood) into seating. Wednesday were doing well in their first season back in the top flight and actually finished 3rd that season while the Gunners came 4th. So it was a tough looking fixture.

It was 1-1 with about 20 minutes to go then all hell broke loose. First substitute Kevin Campbell, with a brilliant turn and strike made is 2-1 after 71 minutes and two minutes later Anders Limpar made it 3-1 with a great shot. In the 81st minute Campbell headed in a David Rocastle cross for 4-1 - game over, and some Wednesday supporters left.

But Arsenal were rampant with a sublime chip from Paul Merson in the 83rd minute for 5-1 then two minutes later Ian Wright made it six with a tap in after the keeper couldn’t hold a shot. Finally Limpar latched on to a superb through ball to calmly slot home number seven and complete an unlikely rout. Six goals in 18 minutes. I’d seen nothing like it in over 20 years of watching Arsenal and nothing since.

NEW! Subscribe to our weekly Gooner Fanzine newsletter for all the latest news, views, and videos from the intelligent voice of Arsenal supporters since 1987.

Please note that we will not share your email address with any 3rd parties.

Article Rating

Leave a comment

Sign-in with your Online Gooner forum login to add your comment. If you do not have a login register here.

38
comments

  1. Pete The First

    Apr 02, 2015, 21:27 #69472

    I remember tumbling down the Clock End terracing as the 7th went in. Much enjoyment rolling around on the floor laughing at the Wednesday fans near us.

  2. BW

    Apr 02, 2015, 12:25 #69444

    I was at this game as a 14-year-old. I remember standing in the North Bank next to a friendly chap with a glass eye. After the seventh ruffled the net, he said he hoped Arsenal would stop scoring, as all the cheering was hurting his voice...

  3. Ron

    Apr 01, 2015, 19:05 #69443

    Smithy - i could more understand yr surprise if there were any posts about Wallys performance to be honest. He was just being Wally. His performance was his norm wasnt it? Wont do his market value much good will it. Lets hope nobody noticed he was on the pitch. It wasnt difficult not to notice. Have to love his perma ' you d better keep yr eye on me, i'm scary and explosive'look. Given just before he falls over of course!

  4. Peter Hughes

    Apr 01, 2015, 19:01 #69442

    Agree Walcott was poor.RB was also dreadfull 1st half but Wally did not help. Left him alone by continually running into the centre & as usual taking no responsibility. Gibbs in contrast was excellent. Comfortable throughout & set up 2 good chances for Shrek. I know some fans have wanted to sell him mainly due to him being injury prone.He is coming into his prime now & reckon we could get 6 good years.

  5. maguiresbridge gooner

    Apr 01, 2015, 18:44 #69441

    Smithy, you took the words out of my mouth, but if he'd have had a blinder and/or scored the AKB's would have been on raving about him. He was completely invisible, useless, (but what's new) we've known that for years, and he wants more dough? (and some actually think he should get it) Jesus it should be reduced, halved and it would still be too much he should actually be paying Arsenal, if ever there was an over rated over paid player it's wally the wallet, but he's not the first one signed by this over rated over paid manager.

  6. Finsbury Boy

    Apr 01, 2015, 18:35 #69440

    And Diaby's back, the season is saved..............!!!

  7. Smithy

    Apr 01, 2015, 18:02 #69439

    I am surprised that there is nothing on here about how poor Walcott was last night. And before anyone says he had no service his movement was terrible. A front line striker he will never be. But as hoddle and wrighty said it is half Arsenes fault as he a has never been coached as a striker- just go and play is all he is ever told.

  8. maguiresbridge gooner

    Apr 01, 2015, 17:54 #69438

    Bard, what was the refreshments at the conference? it couldn't have been tea or coffee, more like water lightly chilled? and no doubt the break was for only 12 minutes 14 seconds.

  9. jjetplane

    Apr 01, 2015, 17:21 #69437

    The Wondrous World of Lord Wenga decrees that WOBS are the new Untouchables. They will have a special section at The Temple with Caste Lower Level Entry clearly marked and they will be publicly stoned (man) if there are any attempts to 'pollute the uppers' by said Untouchables. Now I know why they call you WESTIE .... PS Stirling is off to the Wok for 250 thou a week. Jack and Theo are set to host the top top X Factor. nEWSFLAsH Arteta seen shopping with a slightly unwell Ozil in Mayfair area. Stirling was not with them .... BARD thanks for resuming normal service (sic) and RON I want one of them skeletons!

  10. maguiresbridge gooner

    Apr 01, 2015, 16:33 #69436

    Bard, i'd say it already is mate with all the worshiping that goes on towards they're messiah, anyway all they'll have to do is pop the steeple or Dome on, along with a bell (they'll not be short of bell ringers) and there you have it. The only thing left is what to call the new church and religion.

  11. Ron

    Apr 01, 2015, 15:22 #69435

    Bard - i know its the drab inter - lull and hence quiet on here, but was Westie chairing that conference? Ive not heard a whisper from him of late.I heard a similar conf was held last year. The delegates were delighted to be issued with miniature Kallstrom skeletons at that one.

  12. Bard

    Apr 01, 2015, 14:39 #69434

    Greetings fellow wanderers in the land of mediocrity. The more observant will have noticed very little posting on my part recently. The reason is I managed to get myself on a conference with the intriguing title 'Can Wengerism be classified as a minor religion". It was AKB heaven let me tell you. We were all given a free puffa coat with a a faulty zip which we had to pretend to do up at the beginning of each session. The key note speech was given by the president of North Korea titled, criticism is heresy. My word did he get a standing ovation. Ivan was all a fluster I can tell you. At the risk of Baddying a post ( writing twice as much as you need to) I will leave you with this; it is rumoured that when the boss retires the E******* will be converted into a temple rather than a football ground. Personally I cant wait.

  13. maguiresbridge gooner

    Apr 01, 2015, 12:34 #69433

    CGO, and that's all we'll hear or see of him until the next one.

  14. Charlie George Orwell

    Apr 01, 2015, 7:41 #69431

    Ah, Wrighty - greedier than John Hartson at an all you can eat rib shack - but what a finisher! Latest: According to the BBC Sports News website, Diaby's back. But then again, it is April 1st.

  15. jjetplane

    Mar 31, 2015, 23:50 #69430

    We have been bigging up Jenks ever since he went to the Hammers. JAMERSON you are getting very paranoid there mate. Talk to Pete about it .... The main point is Wenger cannot coach. Even Sam can prove that. They all play better when they are away from Wenger's World of Meaningless Cones.

  16. maguiresbridge gooner

    Mar 31, 2015, 19:25 #69429

    Bard, and it doesn't take much.

  17. Bard

    Mar 31, 2015, 18:58 #69428

    Chris Dee; Im afraid Jenks is history mate. Wenger wont go back on Debuchy otherwise it makes him look like a mug. Bellerin has been stepped up. Next season its Debuchy and Bellierin end of.

  18. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    Mar 31, 2015, 16:29 #69425

    Ron - I agree. I was at that last game v Bolton and he took Wright off when a goal down. Wright was that annoyed he'd showered and changed by the final whistle......just in time to lap up the applause after a 2-1 win. Well that was IW, outstanding player but a bit flaky like all the great ones. Rioch can hold his head up over his time at AFC.

  19. Ron

    Mar 31, 2015, 16:16 #69424

    WE are building - ive always thought Rioch would have done well. Certain players like Ian Wright made his life hard but Rioch would have got shot of the gobsh i t e s like him and the drunks in time i guess. He was a Sergeant Major type like GG had been and was well shafted by our 'classy' Club and the some time 'hero' and paragon of virtue Mr Dein as they shoehorned Wenger into place big time. That much is clear.

  20. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    Mar 31, 2015, 15:16 #69423

    Bruce Rioch did get Arsenal playing football again. That 95-96 season, whilst in the bigger scheme of things was pretty unmemorable, was a lot better on the eye than the two or three seasons that preceeded it. There was victory over Man Utd for the first time in 5 years, and two particularly enjoyable wins over Newcastle. A UEFA cup place was quite an accomplishment considering the shambles of the season prior to it.

  21. Roy

    Mar 31, 2015, 15:08 #69422

    El Bodgeo - Rioch ended up managing a couple of clubs in Denmark before returning here and was last seen doing a bit of coaching at Falmouth Town. In his one season with us, although we scraped a UEFA cup place on the final day, we went out of the domestic cups to Sheffield Utd and Villa as I recall. They certainly wouldn't have appointed him if they'd known he was going to alienate the legend that was - and still is - Ian Wright !

  22. El Bodgeo

    Mar 31, 2015, 13:22 #69421

    Roy/Ron, Miserable 3-1 home exit to Bolton in the cup was early 1994, 4th round think. The real winner that night ended up being the Bolton manager, a certain Mr Bruce Rioch, who must have impressed our port & lemons as he was appointed the following year. What ever happened to him btw?

  23. Alsace

    Mar 31, 2015, 13:00 #69420

    I was in the North Bank for that one. I remember the score and Campbell's shot to make it 2-1. It was one of those exhilerating passages of play that make it all worthwhile. Other examples are the comeback to beat Middlesbrough 5-3, Arshavin's goal to beat Barca and Tony Adams' and Dennis Bergkamp's brace from the 88th -91st minute v Spurs. Oh yeas, and laughing our socks off as TH made his way effortlessly through the Liverpool defence to put them to the sword. Limpar was a wonderful player.

  24. WeAreBuildingATeamToDominate

    Mar 31, 2015, 12:51 #69419

    I remember that 7-1 game. It was petering out to another draw when Campbell replaced Alan Smith, and from then on we just steamrollered most of the opposition for the rest of the season. But sadly it was too little, too late.

  25. Ron

    Mar 31, 2015, 11:45 #69418

    wear your colours - certainly have changed mate. That Leeds team had Strachan in it and he was about 37. That other old fat bloke John McClelland was his name? He was good plus Cantona and McCallister pulling the strings. Chappers was still a donkey but scored a few. Kewell was in it as well i think wasnt he? Good player for Leeds. Hopeless at Liverpool. Or was Kewell later?

  26. Ron

    Mar 31, 2015, 11:32 #69417

    Chris Dee - Jenks has for sure had a lease of life under big Sam hasnt he. WHU have just shown the faith in him that Wenger didnt i suppose. Debuchy is more exotic i suppose to Jenks more straightforward, English flavoured traditional full back toiling type of game. We all know Wenger goes for the exotic more flamboyant style at the expense of a more gritty workmanlike style even if it negatively impacts on the team, so you can bank on Jenks being sold. Its all in and part of this 'philosophy' we oft hear of!

  27. radfordkennedy

    Mar 31, 2015, 9:57 #69416

    Didn't get to the brum game I was overseas at the time,but I do remember it only for the laughter and shouting from the fella whose turn it was to get the results off World Service he was a Blades fan.The game that you mention Roy..Ron..against Bolton is where my intense dislike of Bolton fans comes from,only because I along with 2 mates were in the Gunners pub before the game when some of the worst violence I've ever witnessed kicked off,and it appeared to be stage managed as well,I personally saw a female Bolton fan stick a glass in a female Gooner face,this got the reaction they were looking for and up it went,if any of you remember the fight scene from the film 'the Quiet Man 'thats what it was like a right 'ol tear up..

  28. chris dee

    Mar 31, 2015, 9:48 #69415

    Sorry just to get away from the main topic Carl Jenkinson was the official Man of the Match last night in England's under 21 win over Germany last night. It will be a scandal if Arsene sells him at the end of the season,he is a least as good as Debuchy and much younger with room for improvement.

  29. Wear Your Colours

    Mar 31, 2015, 8:10 #69414

    I was there. Super Kev's strike certainly turned the game around. I think it also ignited the run-in for the season when we started to score a few goals; we beat Liverpool 4-0 at Highbury with Limpar's chip from just over the half-way line and the Wrighty ran-riot in the last few minutes of the last game of the season against Southampton to complete a hat-trick and secure the Golden Boot ahead of Spurs's Lineker . We finished fourth that season, but it wasn't a trophy in those days. Leeds won the title with ex-Gooners Chris Whyte playing centre-half and Lee Chapman playing centre-forward. How times have changed.

  30. Roy

    Mar 30, 2015, 19:57 #69413

    Yes Ron. Couldn't have been the following season either as of course we won it, so must have been the one after that 93-94 ? Yes drew away then lost after extra time at home. I was directly behind the goal that night, the cross came in to the far post. The keeper came for it but Smudger ( I think ) beat him to it and nodded it down perfectly for Kev. He was only 3 or 4 yards out right in the centre of goal with an open net at his mercy, but he snatched at it first time and shanked it over the bar. So it went to ET ( maybe ? ) and Bolton broke away to score.....twice ? Wow, amazing how sketchy the memory gets isn't it ? Time to dust of the great book of knowledge methinks !

  31. Ron

    Mar 30, 2015, 19:33 #69412

    Roy = wasnt that bolton more mid 90s? we drew away and lost at home didnt we?

  32. Roy

    Mar 30, 2015, 17:37 #69411

    Was at that game and Souper Kevs turn and shot and the Magic Mans chip do live long in the memory. A totally unexpected finish to the game and as I remember there wasn't that much that Wednesday could have done about it, although we had been threatening to give someone a thrashing in the weeks leading up to it with a stack of chances missed in the preceding games. Was this also the season when Kev missed a sitter from 3 yards in front of the North Bank in the FAC against Bolton and we went out ? A real head in hands moment with Walker or Coyle scoring the winner in ET. May have my seasons mixed up though !

  33. maguiresbridge gooner

    Mar 30, 2015, 17:28 #69410

    Nice memories Chris and who was the manager then? you'd probably have a lot more posts if it had been OGL but as he didn't come along to invent and form Arsenal to later on, all his fans probably wont bother, that's if some of them even know Arsenal existed then and that game took place.

  34. Arseneknewbest

    Mar 30, 2015, 16:24 #69409

    At that time I was based in Iran of all places where we worked from Sunday to Thursday (meaning that Saturday nights felt like Sundays). I spent two hours in a cold, poorly lit flat grappling with my less than trusty short wave radio in order to hear the BBC football broadcast - the final few moments were mad, and it occurred to me that there was either some severe interference of the airwaves or that the local spooks were winding me up. We had some fine games against the Owls in those days, not least the 2 cup finals. I remember they had this massive big bald fan who painted himself orange and called himself tango...

  35. Ron

    Mar 30, 2015, 12:15 #69407

    Recall it well. it was the one time i ever sat in the East stand lower in the back row. Like looking through a letter box. Mr Dein and his bond scheme!!

  36. King Jeremy

    Mar 30, 2015, 12:08 #69406

    Thanks for the memory. I recall it well standing in the North Bank on the corner to the West Stand (still just young enough for the Junior Gunners membership card but prefering not to stand on the sideline!). Also vividly recall a good 75% of the North Bank sitting down at the Norwich game with chants of "you can stick you @#***~@$ bond up your ****!". I can't help but wonder where those same people now sit?

  37. Avenell Road

    Mar 30, 2015, 11:39 #69405

    I remember that game! It looked like petering out into a frustrating draw but then - as you said - all hell broke loose!

  38. dirkus

    Mar 30, 2015, 11:35 #69404

    I remember that game and the magic man's brilliant chip especially over England keeper Chris Woods. We had a run of excellent games at the end of that season where our attack was on fire. George Graham's sides could be absolutely ruthless and entertaining. It was only towards the end that it seemed to go stale.