George Graham responded to Arsenal’s emphatic title win in 1991 by adding even more attacking power to an already dynamic line up. In September 1991, Ian Wright joined a forward line that already boasted Alan Smith, Paul Merson, Anders Limpar and a young Kevin Campbell. At that point, most observers felt Arsenal were well placed for a good shot at retaining their league championship, and would put together a decent run in the European Cup.
However, Arsenal were outclassed by Benfica, at Highbury, in the second round of the European Cup, and their First Division title challenge fell away. Despite Arsenal playing some wonderful attacking football in the second half of that season, Graham was not happy with a season without silverware and appeared to start losing faith with some of his flair players.
Arsenal went from being a title-chasing team to a formidable cup-team, and with a more pragmatic, game-by-game approach, finished the 1992/93 season with both domestic cups. Graham once again had an opportunity to test himself and his team in Europe, albeit in the more modest competition - the Cup Winners Cup.
On the way to their famous victory against Parma, in the Cup Winners Cup final, Arsenal squeezed through every round with narrow wins - with the exception of this demolition of Standard Liege.
On the way to their famous victory against Parma, in the Cup Winners Cup final, Arsenal squeezed through every round with narrow wins - with the exception of this demolition of Standard Liege.
Arsenal edged past Danish side Odense in the first round, then in the first leg of the second round comfortably beat Standard Liege 3-0 with two goals from Wright and one from Merson.
Before the return leg in Belgium, Liege sacked their coach, Arie Haan, replacing him with Rene Vandereycken. Arsenal’s manager felt confident enough in his side’s ability to see out the tie to leave out Wright - who was one booking away from a suspension. Job done at Highbury, Graham would probably have settled for a dour 0-0.
That said, a few goals would be welcome. Arsenal had just drawn four successive Premier League games 0-0! (George Graham repeated this feat while manager of Tottenham in January and February 2001. More surprisingly, Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal managed the same in 2009).
But on this occasion the goals came in a flood; as Arsenal ripped in to a poor Liege side and were 4-0 up by half-time. Alan Smith opened the scoring with a controlled left-foot volley from Merson’s perfect chipped cross. Ian Selley scored his first goal for Arsenal when he ran on to a loose ball in the box and fired home. Tony Adams scored from close range, after Kevin Campell’s header was saved. Campbell himself made it four with a nice finish, after abject Liege defending allowed him to run on to David Seaman’s long kick.
The goals continued to flow in the second half. The substitute Eddie McGoldrick repeatedly cut through the Liege defence, which says something about their quality. McGoldrick assisted goals for Paul Merson and Campbell with right-wing crosses, before completing the scoring himself with a powerful finish - his only goal for Arsenal.
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