Arsenal - summary of the 1998/99 seasonPre-season previewAfter the stunning success of last season, Arsenal fans will be hoping that the new campaign brings more of the same. However, in the case of some Gooners, these high expectations are tempered by concern about Wenger's failure to reinforce the squad with any new big name players, the Argentinian fullback Nelson Vivas aside. On the other hand, a sizeable proportion of fans retain an almost blind faith in the Frenchman's ability to bring on the younger players to keep the legendary Arsenal team spirit intact. A lot could also depend on the players' ability to retain the fierce ambition which drove them to the title last year. Wenger has stated that his main priority is to retain the championship, a view most fans would agree with, though there will inevitably be a high degree of anticipation about the Gunner's participation in the Champion's League. Although every Arsenal fan would dearly love to see the team become European champions, expectations about our chances are probably slightly lower due to Arsenal's poor European record in recent years (though the success of French and Dutch Gunners in the World Cup ought to counteract this), and Dennis Bergkamp's well publicised refusal to fly. Some fans also have mixed feelings about the decision to abandon historic Highbury for Wembley for the Champion's League games. Though it will mean more fans get to see the games, the unique close-in feeling of evening games at Highbury may be hard to replicate at Wembley. The newly named Worthington Cup seems almost certain to be given a lower priority again this year, with Wenger resting key players and giving the reserves and youngsters a chance to gain experience. Depending on the state of the league and Champions cup campaigns, we may even see the FA Cup also being deemed less important, at least in the early rounds. Key Players
Unknown Player to Watch forArsene Wenger has made notable efforts since his arrival to "restock" the younger end of Arsenal's squad, bringing in several under-21s from outside and revamping the youth policy. In defence Matthew Upson and new French signing David Grondin look like being groomed as successors to the ageing but still reliable back four, while home grown midfielder Paolo Vernazza also looks a promising prospect. None are likely to get many chances this year, but Wenger has indicated that the youngsters are likely to play in the Worthington Cup at least, so if I have to choose one name likely to make an impression I'll go for: Matthew UpsonSigned last close season from Luton, this 19 year old central defender played several times for the first team last season, on occasion out of position at leftback. His general poise and maturity impressed, though with Adams, Keown, Bould and Grimandi all ahead of him in the queue, it may be a year or two before he gets an extended run in the team. Upson is also apparently seen by the England management team as a prospective full international - he has just captained the U18 team in the European Championships, and recently received his first call-up to the U21 squad. Post-season reviewClose Season Transfer Activity
In: Nelson Vivas (defence) from Boca Juniors (ARG) (2.0 million)
David Grondin (defence) from St Etienne (FRA) (0.5 million)
Out: Isaiah Rankin (forward) to Bradford City (1.3 million)
Ian Wright (forward) to West Ham United (0.75 million)
Gavin McGowan (defence) to Luton Town (Free)
Scott Marshall (defence) to Southampton (Free)
Vince Bartram (goalkeeper) to Gillingham (Free)
Chris Kiwomya (forward) Released
David Platt (midfield) Retired
Squad for 1998-1999 Season
d.o.b. Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
24. John Lukic Free 11.12.60 144* 0
13. Alex Manninger 500,000 04.06.77 AUT 7 0
01. David Seaman 1,300,000 19.09.63 200 0
36. Stuart Taylor Trainee 28.11.80 0 0
Defenders
06. Tony Adams Apprentice 10.10.66 172 10
05. Steve Bould 390,000 16.11.62 156 1
29. Ashley Cole Trainee 20.12.80 0 0
30. Jason Crowe Trainee 20.09.78 0 0
02. Lee Dixon 400,000 17.03.64 199 5
19. Remi Garde Free 03.04.66 FRA 21 0
18. Gilles Grimandi 2,000,000 11.11.70 FRA 22 1
22. David Grondin 500,000 08.05.80 FRA 0 0
14. Martin Keown 2,000,000 24.07.66 178# 2
20. Matthew Upson 2,000,000 18.04.79 5 0
07. Nelson Vivas 2,000,000 18.10.69 0 0
03. Nigel Winterburn 407,000 11.12.63 212 4
Midfielders
16. Stephen Hughes Trainee 18.09.76 32 3
33. Greg Lincoln Trainee 23.03.80 0 0
08. Fredrik Ljungberg 3,000,000 16.04.77 SWE 0 0
23. Alberto Mendez 200,000 24.10.74 SPA 3 0
15. Ray Parlour Trainee 07.03.73 164 10
17. Emmanuel Petit 3,500,000 22.09.70 FRA 32 2
31. Paolo Vernazza Trainee 01.11.79 1 0
04. Patrick Vieira 3,500,000 23.06.76 FRA 64 4
Forwards
09. Nicolas Anelka 500,000 14.03.79 FRA 30 6
10. Dennis Bergkamp 7,500,000 18.05.69 NETH 90 39
21. Luis Boa Morte 1,750,000 04.08.78 POR 15 0
26. Fabian Caballero Loan 31.01.78 ARG 0 0
27. Kaba Diawara 2.5m 16.12.75 FRA
25. Nwanwko Kanu 3m NIG
11. Marc Overmars 7,000,000 29.03.73 NETH 32 12
32. Omer Riza Trainee 08.11.79 0 0
12. Christopher Wreh 300,000 14.05.75 LIB 16 3
* including 129-0 for Leeds Utd
# including 13-0 for Everton
Mid-season Transfer Activity
In: Fredrik Ljungberg (midfield) from Halmstad (SWE) (3.0 million)
Kaba Diawara (striker) from Bordeaux (FRA) (3.0 million)
Nwankwo Kanu (striker) from Internazionale (ITA) (4.5 million)
Fabian Caballero (striker) from ? (PAR) (loan)
Complete appearance and goal statistics for the seasonRetrospective review of the seasonThe 1998/99 season was one in which Arsenal came agonisingly close to emulating the double feat of the previous year, but ended with nothing more than a Champions' League place. The parallels with the previous season were surprisingly close. An indifferent spell of form in November and early December was followed by a 21 game unbeaten run which only ended in the epic FA Cup semi-final tie against Manchester United. 15 wins and only one defeat in the last 20 league games matched the form and points total of the double season, but United were less brittle the this time round and pipped the Gunners to the title by a single point. The season started in buoyant fashion with the 3-0 thumping of Man United in the Charity Shield. In the league though Arsenal were out of the blocks like the proverbial tortoise, a narrow opening day win against Forest being followed by 4 successive draws. The season seemed back on track with another 3-0 thrashing of Man United at Highbury, only to be followed a week later by the first defeat of the campaign in the infamous game at Sheffield Wednesday. The late goal conceded in that match could ultimately have been regarded as one of the moments during the season in which the title was lost. Late goals were proving costly in the Champions' League too, where Arsenal were also handicapped by injury, both of the accidental and self inflicted (suspensions and Bergkamp's flying phobia) type. Arsenal dominated the match at Lens but conceded an injury time equaliser; were outplayed by Dinamo Kyiv at Wembley but still led late in the game only to concede another late goal; and in the return match with Lens at Wembley the French team again scored late on, this time to win the game and all but consign Arsenal's hopes to the dustbin. A virtual reserve team did win the final match at Panathinaikos, but Kyiv won at Lens to qualify from the group. In the Worthington cup Wenger continued with a policy of using a second string team, with mixed results. An encouraging win at Derby in the 4th round was followed by a record home defeat by Chelsea in the next round. Back in the league, form in October and early November was adequate and Arsenal maintained station just behind Manchester United and early leaders Aston Villa, but 4 wins and 2 draws were followed in late November by a 1-0 defeat at Wimbledon which started Arsenal's traditional November/December slump. 4 league games without a win culminated in another match which would later be viewed as one of the pivotal points of the season. At Aston Villa, inspired by Bergkamp's return to form Arsenal led by the Dutch master's two goals at half time, but uncharacteristically collapsed after the break to allow the league leaders to come back for a 3-2 win. This incidentally was the only league game in the season in which Arsenal's redoubtable and long serving defence conceded more than one goal. It could be regarded as one of the key moments of the season in more ways than one, as Arsenal thereafter embarked on a 19 match unbeaten run in the league which lasted all the way until the penultimate game of the season. Chelsea's challenge faded during the last few games of the season to leave Arsenal and Man United contesting a thrilling finale. With late signing Kanu having a big influence, the Gunners hit a goal scoring purple patch in late April and early May. 5-1 and 6-1 wins against Wimbledon and Middlesborough were followed by a hugely satisfying 3-1 victory at White Hart Lane which sent Arsenal to the top of the league as United were letting slip a 2 goal lead at Liverpool. Going into the final two games the two teams were locked together on 75 points, but it was Arsenal who stumbled first, losing a close and hard fought game at Leeds while United got a point at Blackburn the following day. The Gunners thus went into the final day needing local rivals Spurs to prevent Man United winning their final game at Old Trafford. Hope briefly glimmered and for the only time in history Arsenal fans cheered a Tottenham goal as the visitors took the lead at Old Trafford, but reality descended shortly after half time as United went in front. Arsenal did what was expected and beat Aston Villa, but the destiny of the championship was out of their hands, and Spurs duly subsided to defeat. There was equal heartbreak in the FA Cup. Arsenal recovered from a first half wobble at Preston in the 3rd round to turn a 2 goal deficit into a 4-2 win, and eased past Wolves in the 4th round. The 5th round tie against Sheffield United went into the history books as Wenger made the unprecedented offer to replay the match after Arsenal had won 2-1 with a goal scored when Kanu mistakenly retained possession after the ball had been put out of play to allow a Sheffield United player to receive treatment. Arsenal won the replayed game 2-1, and Kanu made a more positive contribution in the 6th round, scoring the late winner at Highbury to see off Derby and set up the epic semi-final against Manchester United at Villa Park. The first game finished all square as Arsenal survived the sending-off of Vivas, but it was the replay which will be remembered as one of the all time FA Cup classics. Arsenal struggled to find their rythmn early on and trailed 1-0 at half time. A deflected Bergkamp shot got them back into the game, and the match seemed theirs for the taking when Roy Keane was sent off midway through the 2nd half. The game was virtually won in injury time when Parlour was brought down in the area, but Schmeichel saved superbly from Bergkamp's spot kick, and Giggs came on as substitute in extra time to slide a dagger into Arsenal's heart with a solo winner. Previous season Copyright (c) 1994-1999 Derek Brownjohn and Simon Gleave. All Rights Reserved. This document is not to be reproduced in any form without the permission of the authors.
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