Arsenal’s triumph in the Littlewoods Cup final in 1987 owed much to one of the Gunners’ established stars – Charlie Nicholas - who scored two goals in the final. By the time Arsenal reached the semi-finals of the same competition the following season, George Graham was in the late stages of a re-building programme. This had already seen the departure of some of the old guard - including Nicholas - and their replacement with young and hungry players, either scouted from less fashionable clubs, or brought through Arsenal’s youth system.
This victory over Everton showcased the youthful exuberance coursing through Arsenal. Ultimately, it was the same youth and inexperience, that perhaps cost them more silverware in the final, when they allowed Luton back into a game they should have put to bed. But that defeat would be a valuable lesson, with many of the foundations laid for the next season’s title challenge. Arsenal’s young players – in particular Michael Thomas and David Rocastle - were developing resilience and steel to go with their considerable skill.
In his match report in The Times, Stuart Jones wrote: “George Graham's young side indicated during the second leg of the semi final at Highbury last night that they are a team of genuine stature.”
After a spectacular sequence of ten straight league wins early in the season, Arsenal’s league form had faltered over mid-winter, but the cups had provided some solace. Four days earlier, Arsenal had knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup in a feisty encounter at Highbury. Arsenal started the second leg of this semi-final with a one goal lead, thanks to a gritty 1-0 victory over Everton at Goodison Park in the first leg.
Perry Groves was the hero at Goodison, scoring a spectacular goal early in the game, - and he was a key figure again at Highbury, setting up two goals and putting in a fine all round performance. Groves himself later remarked: “perhaps this was the best game I ever played."
Before that, and after an end to end first-half, Arsenal were given a golden opportunity from the penalty spot, after Neville Southall fouled Martin Hayes in front of the heaving North Bank. Penalties - missed ones anyway - were one of the stories of this tie, and of Arsenal’s season. Trevor Steven had missed a penalty for Everton at Goodison Park in the first leg. Arsenal meanwhile had missed their previous three penalties at Highbury - and Hayes stepped up to make it a fourth miss with a poor effort, which flew well high and wide. Unfortunately for Arsenal, their abject record from the spot continued in the final, when Nigel Winterburn’s penalty was saved by Andy Dibble when the Gunners were 2-1 up.
Back to Highbury, and Arsenal wasted little time making up for Hayes’ miss in the second half. Groves slipped a perfectly weighted through ball to Thomas - and Thomas scored with the coolest of flicks over Southall, in a manner he would repeat so memorably the following year at Anfield. Thomas, and everyone else in Highbury, celebrated wildly, perhaps feeling a two goal cushion across the two legs would be enough to see them through, but Everton came back quickly.
A Wayne Clarke shot was beaten out by John Lukic, only as far as the substitute Adrian Heath, who finished with a neat header. It was the first goal the Gunners had conceded in the competition that season. However, another rapid Arsenal counter-attack restored the two goal lead. Groves again was the provider, picking out another midfield runner. This time it was Rocastle, who gave Southall no chance with his finish into the bottom corner.
Yet another break away put the gloss on the scoreline. Winterburn, playing at right-back (Lee Dixon had joined the club a few weeks earlier but was yet to establish himself as a regular), cut the ball on to his favoured left foot; his shot was blocked but Alan Smith followed up with a sweet left-foot volley.
Reflecting on this match in his excellent autobiography, Theo Foley, Arsenal’s Assistant Manager at the time said: “This win really made people sit up and was a sign of things to come, as Arsenal were a force once more.”
Highbury was raucous and bouncing, and the final whistle saw a rare pitch invasion. It was another memorable night under the floodlights. As well as celebrating reaching another final, there was a real sense of excitement among fans at what this thrilling young team might achieve.
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