Bruce & Bergkamp

Our Old Mate,Teddy, died in August 1995. 

A True Arsenal Fan - Teddy Taylor. 

His favourite song. 

One Out - One In. 

My One year old Grandson decided to be a Gooner, as if he had a choice!!!

Ooh to be a Gooner!!

Season 1995-96. 

Bruce Rioch was appointed as Arsenal manager to replace Stewart Houston.

Bruce Rioch - Peter Hill-Wood - Ken Friar. 

Bruce Rioch. 

Nice Words. 

I was passing Arsenal stadium one evening, in August, when I saw Bruce walking to the car park located under the Clock End. 

After welcoming him to Highbury, I asked if he could give me any ideas he had for the team. 

He replied that he wanted a couple of wingers putting lots of crosses in for the strikers. 

I asked what his policy was if Arsenal scored first? He said they’d look to score more goals. 

I told him that the Arsenal Fans would all be panicking and would want another defender brought on, so that Arsenal would win 1-0. 

He laughed and went on his way home. 

He never mentioned that, Dennis Bergkamp, one of Arsenal’s all time greatest players, would be signing soon. 

Apparently Bruce tried to sign Andre Kanchelkis as well, but that never materialised. 

First Dennis Bergkamp. 

The Dutch International. 

Then David Platt - The English International. 

Hopefully, he won’t go in goal. 

The Squad. 

Bergkamp and Platt had joined the 2 youngsters, Matthew Rose and Adrian Clarke in the squad. 

Stefan Schwarz and Kevin Campbell had been sold. 

One of Arsenal’s most underrated players, Alan Smith, had been forced to retire due to a knee injury. 

Smudger’s Testimonial. 

Me with Alan Smith a few years later. 

The first time I, and a few thousand other Arsenal Fans, saw Dennis Bergkamp and David Platt in action for Arsenal, was in a pre season friendly at Southend which Arsenal won 3-1. 

Southend match ticket. 

Dennis Bergkamp & David Platt’s first game at Highbury. 

Strangely, Kevin Campbell would score a goal at Highbury for his new club, Forest, before Dennis Bergkamp would score a goal there for Arsenal. 

Kevin Campbell scores for Forest. 

I don’t think anyone is bothered about that now though?

Dennis Scores for Arsenal at last. 

Highbury celebrates with him. 

League. 

In the League Arsenal finally finished 5th and qualified for the UEFA Cup. 

This was after a run of good results near the end of the season, culminating in victory against Bolton, at Highbury, on the last day. 

Ray Parlour was establishing himself in the team. 

Ray “Romford Pele” Parlour. 

The Middlesbrough Pele - Juninho, avoiding the Arsenal defence. 

FA Cup. 

Arsenal drew 2-2 with Sheffield United in the 3rd round at Highbury. 

Arsenal lost the replay 1-0 and there was talk of serious disagreements in the dressing room afterwards, between Bruce Rioch and several players. 

League (Coca-Cola) Cup. 

In the 2nd round 1st Leg Arsenal won 3-0 at Hartlepool. 

In the 2nd Leg Arsenal won 5-0 at Highbury. 

4 of us drove up to Barnsley in the 3rd round. 

Barnsley match ticket. 

A lovely evening before kickoff. 

Arsenal won 3-0 but the weather had changed into heavy rain, which seemed to be coming horizontally into our faces from the nearby moors. 

It rained so hard, that the Barnsley stewards were handing out Plastic Ponchos to the Arsenal Fans in the uncovered seats behind one of the goals. 

It was later recorded as the wettest Arsenal game ever. 

In the 4th round Arsenal beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at Highbury. 

Then in the 5th round Arsenal beat Newcastle at Highbury 2-0 with David Ginola getting sent off for elbowing Lee Dixon in the face. 

Lee Dixon & David Ginola, before the elbow rises. 

In the League Cup semifinal 1st Leg, Arsenal drew with Aston Villa 2-2 at Highbury. 

The 2nd Leg finished 0-0 and Villa went through on away goals. 

The game at Villa Park was remembered by many Arsenal Fans, for the rarely seen, animosity shown to them from the Villa fans.  

Martin Keown stops Dwight Yorke. 

Aston Villa vs Arsenal. 

What was this all about?

Arsenal vs Spurs. 

This we could understand. 

Nothing new - just took 30 years to turn up. 

Matters in the dressing room were also coming to a head, with Ian Wright, allegedly, asking for a transfer. 

Ian Wright, off to West Ham? 

Del Piero and Juventus win the European Cup/Champions League. 

Seaman still saving penalties but Germany win Euros at Wembley. 

Not Christiano - The original one - Ronnie the Brazilian. 

The 1971 Double team turn out for Paul Merson’s Testimonial. 

Next Post - Thursday 11/6/2020. 

Arsène “Arsenal” Wenger Arrives. 

Comments/Questions - oldgunnersandgooners@gmail.com