Old Gunners and Gooners : Monkey - Milan

Season 1994-95.

After the previous season, most Arsenal Fans were eagerly awaiting another trophy hunting time.

How those dreams were eventually shattered in incredible circumstances.

The Swedish International, Stefan Schwarz and the Norwegian Pal Lydersen were brought in to join the youngsters,
Lee Harper, Vince Bartram, Scott Marshall, Paul Shaw and Stephen Hughes.

Ray Parlour, Paul Dickov and Ian Selley had already established themselves in the squad.

Paul (Cut yer) Dickov.

Ian Selley.

2 of our 3 Scandinavians - John Jensen & Stefan Schwarz.

Me with Stefan Schwarz.

Sadly, our favourite Scandinavian, Anders Limpar, was allowed to leave.

Me with Anders Limpar - Some Years later.

Tony Adams Testimonial.

Tony Adams received a well earned Testimonial match, which, for some unknown reason, was against Crystal Palace.

This game was squeezed in between the pre season tournament and the first League home game.

Sadly, but not unsurprisingly, the attendance was very low, for such a great Arsenal man.

League.

In the League, at one time Arsenal were closer to relegation than being Champions and eventually finished a disappointing 12th.

Chelsea match ticket.

QPR match ticket.

Wimbledon match ticket.

The highlight of a depressing campaign at Highbury was the first goal for Arsenal for Johnny Jensen.

Johnny Jensen scores his first Arsenal goal - against QPR after only 98 games.

Highbury and Johnny went NUTS!!

FA Cup.

Arsenal lost 2-0 to Millwall.

League (Coca Cola) Cup.

“Monkey”.

Arsenal, Tony E and myself travelled to Hartlepool for the 2nd Round 1st Leg match.

Arsenal won 5-0 and Tony and myself went in search of the legendary “Hanging Monkey “.

We found the ground.

Wrighty found the net.

We found the Marina.

The Locals found the Monkey in the Napoleonic War.

I found it in the “Monkey Hangers” bar.

I found Lee Dixon.

I found David Seaman.

I found Ian Wright.

We also found the best pies I’ve ever had at a football match.

I hope it wasn’t Monkey meat though!!

European Super Cup.

“Milan”.

Arsenal played in the San Siro stadium against Milan in the European Super Cup, the first and only time we’ve played for that trophy, and lost 2-0.

Before the start, an optimistic, it was February and Foggy, ice cream seller, was standing in front of the Arsenal Fans, shouting Ice cream, Ice cream, lovely Ice cream.

As one, the Arsenal Fans responded with;

“ Just one Cornetto,

give it to me,

delicious Ice cream,

from Italy “

A very funny moment, which even had the Ice cream seller conducting the singing.

Earlier, in the City centre, Gary D, his mate Gonk and myself had met Malcom Macdonald in a pub.

We bought him a few pints and had a chat about his time at Highbury.

Myself - Supermac - Gary D.

We bumped into Charlie George as well - outside the stadium.

I’m in - again.

The San Siro - on a Hot Sunny Day.

The San Siro - on a Cold Foggy Night.

The Arsenal players leave the pitch without the trophy.

European Cup Winners Cup.

Arsenal beat Omnia Nicosia - Brondby and Auxerre to reach the ECWCUP semifinals again.

Merse scores in Cyprus.

In November Paul Merson would admit to Drink, Drugs and Gambling addiction.

Ian Selley scores against Brondby.

Wrighty scores the winner against Auxerre.

In January 1995, George Graham had signed John Hartson, Glen Helder and Chris Kiwomya to boost the strike force, as Ian Wright kept getting suspended and Paul Merson was still in a clinic.

John Hartson.

Glen Helder.

Chris Kiwomya.

“Money”.

Arsenal, sensationally, sacked George Graham in March, for allegedly taking a “.£285,000 bung” involving the transfer of Pal Lydersen.

Only George Graham knows the truth of this matter, so I can only thank him for the memories of the trophies and seeing “The Arsenal” play in some of the best stadiums in Europe.