Arsenal
1993–94 season
ChairmanPeter Hill-Wood
ManagerGeorge Graham
StadiumHighbury
FA Premier League4th
FA CupFourth round
League CupFourth round
FA Charity ShieldRunners-up
Cup Winners' CupWinners
Top goalscorerLeague: Wright (23)
All: Wright (35)
Average home league attendance30,563

The 1993–94 season was Arsenal Football Club's 68th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. Arsenal finished fourth in the Premier League and went out in the fourth round of both the FA Cup and the League Cup. Arsenal won their first European competition since 1970: the 1993-94 European Cup Winners' Cup. They defeated Parma 1-0 in the final, thanks to a goal from Alan Smith. Ian Wright was the top scorer all competitions.

Season summary

1993–94 saw a great deal of change at Arsenal. The season began with the club's longest-serving player, 34-year-old defender David O'Leary, signing for Leeds and out-of-favour defender Colin Pates joining Brighton. Irish winger Eddie McGoldrick was captured from Crystal Palace; his arrival led to the sale of fellow winger Anders Limpar to Everton in March 1994.

Arsenal conquered their goalscoring problems which had restricted them to 10th place a year earlier. This time round they finished fourth in the league, and at one stage looked like the most likely team to threaten Manchester United's lead. But the real success of the campaign was a 1–0 win over Parma in Copenhagen which gave them glory in the European Cup Winners' Cup and their first European trophy since 1970.[1]

Arsenal surrendered their defence of both domestic cup competitions. Their progress in the League Cup was haltered in November, when they surrendered the trophy to an Aston Villa side who went on to win it. The defeat brought to an end a 25-match unbeaten cup run for Arsenal. They also lost their defence of the FA Cup to Bolton Wanderers in February.[2]

The close season saw Arsenal make swoops for Swedish midfielder Stefan Schwarz as manager George Graham prepared to maintain an Arsenal side that could challenge on all fronts the following season.

Players

Appearances and goals

No. Pos Nat Player TotalPremier LeagueFA CupLeague CupCup Winners' Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
1 GK England ENG David Seaman 560390305090
2 DF England ENG Lee Dixon 48032+10304080
3 DF England ENG Nigel Winterburn 500340304090
4 MF England ENG Paul Davis 34021+10001+2090
5 DF England ENG Andy Linighan 27020+1000401+10
6 DF England ENG Tony Adams 484350322082
7 FW England ENG Kevin Campbell 521928+914302+217+14
8 FW England ENG Ian Wright 52343923314664
9 FW England ENG Alan Smith 41721+431+114+117+22
10 MF England ENG Paul Merson 471224+972+104273
11 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Eddie McGoldrick 37123+301+10403+21
12 DF England ENG Steve Bould 37123+2130305+10
13 GK England ENG Alan Miller 403+10000000
14 DF England ENG Martin Keown 46023+1002+10304+30
15 MF Sweden SWE Anders Limpar [S] 1209+10002000
17 MF Denmark DEN John Jensen 4102700+105080
18 MF England ENG David Hillier 22011+40300+102+10
21 DF Northern Ireland NIR Steve Morrow 1307+40001010
22 MF England ENG Ian Selley 27116+20001+105+21
23 MF England ENG Ray Parlour 32224+32302000
24 MF England ENG Mark Flatts 302+10000000
25 MF England ENG Neil Heaney [S] 2010000+1000
27 FW Scotland SCO Paul Dickov 100+10000000

[R] – Reserve team player [L] – Out on loan [S] – Sold

Results

Premier League

Standings

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
2 Blackburn Rovers 42 25 9 8 63 36 +27 84 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3 Newcastle United 42 23 8 11 82 41 +41 77
4 Arsenal 42 18 17 7 53 28 +25 71 Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[lower-alpha 1]
5 Leeds United 42 18 16 8 65 39 +26 70
6 Wimbledon 42 18 11 13 56 53 +3 65
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
  1. ↑ Arsenal qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as the defending champions.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
42 18 17 7 53 28  +25 71 10 8 3 25 15  +10 8 9 4 28 13  +15

Matches

14 August 1993 1 Arsenal 0–3 Coventry City London
15:00 BST 34', 62', 65' Quinn Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 24,897
16 August 1993 2 Tottenham Hotspur 0–1 Arsenal London
20:00 BST 87' Wright Stadium: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 28,355
21 August 1993 3 Sheffield Wednesday 0–1 Arsenal Sheffield
15:00 BST 9' Wright Stadium: Hillsborough
Attendance: 26,023
24 August 1993 4 Arsenal 2–1 Leeds United London
19:45 BST Newsome 2' (o.g.)
Merson 57'		 70' Strachan Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 29,042
28 August 1993 5 Arsenal 2–0 Everton London
15:00 BST Wright 48', 78' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 29,063
1 September 1993 6 Blackburn Rovers 1–1 Arsenal Blackburn
19:45 BST Gallacher 36' 75' Campbell Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 14,051
11 September 1993 7 Arsenal 4–0 Ipswich Town London
15:00 BST Wright 30'
Campbell 38', 55', 64'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 28,563
19 September 1993 8 Manchester United 1–0 Arsenal Manchester
16:00 BST Cantona 38' Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 44,009
25 September 1993 9 Arsenal 1–0 Southampton London
15:00 BST Merson 45' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 26,902
2 October 1993 10 Liverpool 0–0 Arsenal Liverpool
15:00 BST Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 42,750
16 October 1993 11 Arsenal 0–0 Manchester City London
15:00 BST Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 29,567
23 October 1993 12 Oldham Athletic 0–0 Arsenal Oldham
15:00 BST Stadium: Boundary Park
Attendance: 12,105
30 October 1993 13 Arsenal 0–0 Norwich City London
15:00 BST Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 30,516
6 November 1993 14 Arsenal 1–2 Aston Villa London
15:00 GMT Wright 58' 74' Whittingham
90' Townsend		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 31,773
20 November 1993 15 Chelsea 0–2 Arsenal London
15:00 GMT Report 27' Smith
45' (pen.) Wright		 Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 26,839
24 November 1993 16 West Ham United 0–0 Arsenal London
19:45 GMT Stadium: Boleyn Ground
Attendance: 20,279
27 November 1993 17 Arsenal 2–1 Newcastle United London
15:00 GMT Wright 15'
Smith 60'		 61' Beardsley Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 36,091
4 December 1993 18 Coventry City 1–0 Arsenal Coventry
15:00 GMT Quinn 79' Stadium: Highfield Road
Attendance: 12,722
6 December 1993 19 Arsenal 1–1 Tottenham Hotspur London
20:00 GMT Wright 65' 25' Anderton Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,669
12 December 1993 20 Arsenal 1–0 Sheffield Wednesday London
16:00 GMT Wright 90' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 22,026
18 December 1993 21 Leeds United 2–1 Arsenal Leeds
15:00 GMT McAllister 21'
Adams 60' (o.g.)		 27' Campbell Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 37,515
27 December 1993 22 Swindon Town 0–4 Arsenal Swindon
12:00 GMT 19', 26', 68' Campbell
89' Wright		 Stadium: County Ground
Attendance: 17,651
29 December 1993 23 Arsenal 3–0 Sheffield United London
19:45 GMT Campbell 11', 55'
Wright 40'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 27,035
1 January 1994 24 Wimbledon 0–3 Arsenal London
15:00 GMT 18' Campbell
23' Parlour
55' Wright		 Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 16,584
3 January 1994 25 Arsenal 0–0 Queens Park Rangers London
15:00 GMT Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 34,935
15 January 1994 26 Manchester City 0–0 Arsenal Manchester
15:00 GMT Stadium: Maine Road
Attendance: 25,642
22 January 1994 27 Arsenal 1–1 Oldham Athletic London
15:00 GMT Wright 45' (pen.) Report 4' Sharp Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 26,524
13 February 1994 28 Norwich City 1–1 Arsenal Norwich
17:00 GMT Ekoku 57' 33' Campbell Stadium: Carrow Road
Attendance: 17,667
19 February 1994 29 Everton 1–1 Arsenal Liverpool
15:00 GMT Cottee 81' 56' Merson Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 19,891
26 February 1994 30 Arsenal 1–0 Blackburn Rovers London
15:00 GMT Merson 73' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,030
5 March 1994 31 Ipswich Town 1–5 Arsenal Ipswich
15:00 GMT Dixon 70' (o.g.) Report 18', 40' (pen.), 86' Wright
24' (o.g.) Youds
52' Parlour		 Stadium: Portman Road
Attendance: 18,656
19 March 1994 32 Southampton 0–4 Arsenal Southampton
15:00 GMT Report 18', 30', 68' (pen.) Wright
84' Campbell		 Stadium: The Dell
Attendance: 16,790
22 March 1994 33 Arsenal 2–2 Manchester United London
19:45 GMT Pallister 36' (o.g.)
Merson 78'		 10', 53' Sharpe Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 36,203
26 March 1994 34 Arsenal 1–0 Liverpool London
15:00 GMT Merson 47' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 35,556
2 April 1994 35 Arsenal 1–1 Swindon Town London
15:00 BST Smith 4' 29' Bodin Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 31,634
4 April 1994 36 Sheffield United 1–1 Arsenal Sheffield
15:00 BST Rogers 54' 69' Campbell Stadium: Bramall Lane
Attendance: 20,019
16 April 1994 37 Arsenal 1–0 Chelsea London
15:00 BST Wright 72' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 34,314
19 April 1994 38 Arsenal 1–1 Wimbledon London
19:45 BST Bould 51' 37' Earle Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 21,292
23 April 1994 39 Aston Villa 1–2 Arsenal Birmingham
15:00 BST Houghton 57' Report 30' (pen.), 90' Wright Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 31,580
27 April 1994 40 Queens Park Rangers 1–1 Arsenal London
19:45 BST Penrice 3' 46' Merson Stadium: Loftus Road
Attendance: 11,442
30 April 1994 41 Arsenal 0–2 West Ham United London
15:00 BST 77' Morley
88' Allen		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 33,701
7 May 1994 42 Newcastle United 2–0 Arsenal Newcastle upon Tyne
15:00 BST Cole 46'
Beardsley 66'		 Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 32,216

European Cup Winners' Cup

It all began on a wet night in Odense. Tony Adams was suspended and Arsenal's Cup Winners Cup hopes nearly died before they’d started. The danes scored first then they missed a penalty. Arsenal pulled themselves together and Ian Wright equalised. Paul Merson broke away to hit the winner.

Kim Brinks team made it difficult for The Gunners in the second leg. They even equalised Kevin Campbells header. Arsenals relief at hearing the final whistle was obvious. In those final moments several players and thousands of fans had relived the horror of the European Cup defeat by Benfica two seasons earlier. But Arsenal eased through to the second round.

Ian Wright tore Standard Liège apart at Highbury. Merson scored a brilliant free-kick. The Standard manager, Arie Haan, was sacked a few days later. So was his replacement, Rene van der Eycken, after Arsenal slaughtered Standard 7-0 in Liège.

Torino in the quarter-final posed some tougher questions. George Graham won the tactical battle in Turin, stationing David Hillier in front of Adams and Steve Bould to stop Enzo Francescoli breaking from midfield. Arsenal created most of the chances. At Highbury Paul Davis's perfectly flighted 66th minute free kick found Adams at the far post, and Adams headed the only goal of the game.

French League leaders Paris Saint-Germain were shocked when the Gunners took command at the Parc des Princes. The goalkeeper Bernard Lama was PSG's hero. Wright beat him once to head Arsenal in front. And PSG punished rare slackness on the Gunners near post at a corner, when David Ginola sneaked in to head the equaliser. Valdo, the Brazilian buzzed in midfield at Highbury. Adams was remarkable; organising, calming, dashing in with fast ditch tackles. The French threatened, but Seaman was rarely troubled. Campbells sixth minute header from Lee Dixon's cross proved decisive.[3]

Typically, Arsenal won their first European trophy since 1970, the hard way: with Ian Wright suspended; John Jensen, Martin Keown and David Hillier injured. There were times when Arsenal rode their luck. Steve Bould had to launch a last ditch tackle on Faustino Asprilla in the opening seconds. Tomas Brolin hit the upright post in the 14th minute. Five minutes later Arsenal made the vital break through with a goal worthy of winning a final. Alan Smith pouncing on Lorenzo Minottis misdirected clearance then cracking a left footed 20 yarder past Luca Bucci, off a post.[4] It was a great night for Smith, he's never played better than he did in Copenhagen, held the ball up tirelessly up front and frustrated Parma. It was a great night for George Graham, enjoying European success as a manager to add to his Fair Cup winners medal 24 years ago. Steve Bould won the Man of the Match plaudits and, given their injury problems, it had been a remarkable game for the Gunners. Nevio Scala, the Parma manager, also praised Arsenal: "Tactically and technically we did not function because Arsenal were a better team."[5]

First round

15 September 1993 1st Leg Odense BK Denmark 1–2 England Arsenal Odense
Keown 18' (o.g.) 35' Wright
68' Merson		 Stadium: Fionia Park
Attendance: 9,580
29 September 1993 2nd Leg Arsenal England 1–1
(3–2 agg.)		 Denmark Odense BK London
Campbell 52' 86' Nielsen Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 25,689

Second round

20 October 1993 1st Leg Arsenal England 3–0 Belgium Standard Liège London
Wright 39', 63'
Merson 50'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 25,258
3 November 1993 2nd Leg Standard Liège Belgium 0–7
(0–10 agg.)		 England Arsenal Liège
Smith 2'
Selley 20'
Adams 36'
Campbell 41', 79'
Merson 73'
McGoldrick 81'		 Stadium: Stade Maurice Dufrasne
Attendance: 15,000

Quarter-finals

2 March 1994 1st Leg Torino Italy 0–0 England Arsenal Turin
Stadium: Stadio delle Alpi
Attendance: 32,480
15 March 1994 2nd Leg Arsenal England 1–0
(1–0 agg.)		 Italy Torino London
Adams 68' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 34,678

Semi-finals

29 March 1994 1st Leg Paris Saint-Germain France 1–1 England Arsenal Paris
Ginola 49' 35' Wright Stadium: Parc des Princes
Attendance: 46,000
12 April 1994 2nd Leg Arsenal England 1–0
(2–1 agg.)		 France Paris Saint-Germain London
Campbell 7' Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 34,212

Final

4 May 1994 Arsenal England 1–0 Italy Parma Copenhagen
20:15 CEST Smith 20' Stadium: Parken Stadium
Attendance: 33,765
Referee: Václav Krondl (Czech Republic)

FA Cup

Arsenal visited George Grahams old club Millwall in the first round. Tony Adams won the game when he headed home a corner as Paul Merson challenged Kasey Keller.

Bolton had knocked out Liverpool in 1993 and beat Everton in the 1994 third round replay. Jason McAteer escaped from man-marking Martin Keown who collided with Steve Bould to fire Wanderers ahead. That brought Arsenal to life. Early in the second half, Ian Wright levelled from Mersons shot, and Adams headed a second from a free-kick. Bolton however stepped up another gear. Under continual pressure the Gunners finally cracked, when Owen Coyle netted Boltons equaliser, only five minutes from the final whistle.

The replay at Highbury took a turn after 20 minutes. Phil Brown lofted an overhead kick into the Arsenal box. The Gunners defence pressed out and John McGinlay ran on to head past David Seamans outstretched hand. Alan Smith levelled the scores, after Ian Wright had challenged Aidan Davison for Lee Dixons throw in. The game thundered into extra-time and after 103 minutes Nigel Winterburn stubbed a back pass. Coyles shot hit the post and McAteer buried the rebound. Five minutes from the end substitute striker Andy Walker was put clear and drove home the third to end any doubts about the outcome. Bruce Riochs side ended Arsenals hopes of retaining the trophy.[6]

10 January 1994 R3 Millwall 0–1 Arsenal London
Stadium: The Den
31 January 1994 R4 Bolton Wanderers 2–2 Arsenal Bolton
Stadium: Burden Park
9 February 1994 R4 Replay Arsenal 1–3 Bolton Wanderers London
Stadium: Highbury

League Cup

5 October 1993 R2 2nd Leg Arsenal 1–1
(6–1 agg.)		 Huddersfield Town London
Stadium: Highbury
26 October 1993 R3 Arsenal 1–1 Norwich City London
Stadium: Highbury
10 November 1993 R3 Replay Norwich City 0–3 Arsenal Norwich
Stadium: Carrow Road
30 November 1993 R4 Arsenal 0–1 Aston Villa London
Stadium: Highbury

FA Charity Shield

First-team squad

Squad at end of season[8]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK England ENG David Seaman
2 DF England ENG Lee Dixon
3 DF England ENG Nigel Winterburn
4 MF England ENG Paul Davis
5 DF England ENG Andy Linighan
6 DF England ENG Tony Adams
7 FW England ENG Kevin Campbell
8 FW England ENG Ian Wright
9 FW England ENG Alan Smith
10 MF England ENG Paul Merson
11 MF Republic of Ireland IRL Eddie McGoldrick
No. Pos. Nation Player
12 DF England ENG Steve Bould
13 GK England ENG Alan Miller
14 DF England ENG Martin Keown
17 MF Denmark DEN John Jensen
18 MF England ENG David Hillier
21 DF Northern Ireland NIR Steve Morrow
22 MF England ENG Ian Selley
23 MF England ENG Ray Parlour
24 MF England ENG Mark Flatts
27 FW Scotland SCO Paul Dickov

Left club during season

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
15 MF Sweden SWE Anders Limpar (to Everton)
25 MF England ENG Neil Heaney (to Southampton)

Reserve squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
19 MF England ENG Jimmy Carter
20 DF Norway NOR Pal Lydersen
No. Pos. Nation Player
26 GK Scotland SCO James Will

References

  1. ↑ "1993/94: Arsenal frustrate Parma's 'double' hopes". UEFA. 1 June 1994. Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  2. ↑ Emery, David (1994). Gunning for Glory. Simon and Schuster. pp. 8–9.
  3. ↑ Connolly, Kevin (1994). The Official Arsenal Yearbook 1994. Hamlyn. pp. 52–53.
  4. ↑ Connolly, Kevin (1994). The Official Arsenal Yearbook 1994. Hamlyn. pp. 54–55.
  5. ↑ Soar, Phil (2003). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. Hamlyn. p. 160.
  6. ↑ Connolly, Kevin. The Official Arsenal Yearbook 1994. Hamlyn. pp. 26–27.
  7. ↑ Harris, Bob (8 August 1993). "It's Gunner be all Wright". Daily Mirror. London. p. 54.
  8. ↑ "FootballSquads – Arsenal – 1993/94".
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