Everton Away, A Good Omen?
Jun 17th, 2009 by 'holic
The release of the new fixtures has prompted memories of one of the greatest of all Arsenal seasons. Back in August 1970 the side that three months earlier had ended a seventeen year run without a trophy by lifting the European Fairs Cup was handed the task of confronting new champions Everton at Goodison.
Everton took the lead as the half hour approached when Joe Royle climbed at the far post to head home a Tommy Wright cross. If the first-half belonged to Everton, there was no doubt the second was Arsenal’s.
Charlie George, freed by a typical John Radford through ball, equalized 19 minutes from full time. Not only the first Gunners goal of the season would follow this pattern. At Wembley the following May the two would combine for Charlie to score the last goal of the season, and clinch the double in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool. The former was costly however as George broke his ankle in a collision with Everton ‘keeper, Gordon West.
Everton then scored a controversial goal to go up 2-1, with Alan Ball later confirming he had deflected the ball to scorer Johnny Morrissey with his hand. How ironic that Ball would find himself at Highbury just seventeen months later.
This Arsenal side never knew when it was beaten, however. John Roberts, standing in for the injured Peter Simpson for the first few months of the season, set up George Graham for a glorious chip to equalise for a second time, and the Scot who would enjoy an altogether more glorious night on Merseyside in 1989 still had time to strike the bar as the visitors sought both points.
Here is hoping the 2009 contest is just as enthralling, and the points head back to North London afterwards.
13 Responses to “Everton Away, A Good Omen?”
97-98 – Double winners
01-02 – Double winners
05-60 – Champs League Final
09/10 – ???
So far every Wenger year before the World Cup has been quite successful bar 05/06. Any chances of de-ja vu?
I believe you have something special in, drink-wise, ‘holic….
*looks thirsty*
i think that if we win every game this season , we will win the leauge, thank you and a fizzy for dizzy please
A pint of your best Porter, landlord.
having a cold cold stella (bottle).
I would like to say that the soundings from both the players (Cesc and Chlichy) and the press about possible signing are very positive, again the signings are under the radar and if we have looked at a player and he started to talk to press he was quickly told to shut it and they did.
There is an old saing that it is darkest before the dawn and I can start to see the dawn light come thru the trees of the forest of the premier league.
If we get a good start to the premier league after 8 or 9 games and not the 3 or 4 (remember who did manure beat in the top 4 in the season just gone). I think that we could be right in it.
I can see the light and not doom and gloom.
PS
why blue? someone show me the rich Arsenal history of playing in blue. The rich Arsenal history of green and blue is Lee chapman
Jumpers for goalposts?
I was at that game,
my memories of that day were that Everton were Champions,basking in the glory,puffed up with pride and pomp and circumstance,first game of the new season at home,full house,
I still feel looking back on it, that they took us a bit lightly that day,scoring first only increased their confidence,but our performance in the 2nd half was full of grit and determination,but my feeling was that even though we equalised,Everton still thought they would win simply because they were the Champions.
Our 2nd equaliser visibly knocked the stuffing out of them and there was only one side that could have won the match in the end.
The contrasting fortunes of both teams from that game onwards make interesting reading.
At the end of October that season we had played 15 games,losing only 2 and were 2nd only 2 points below Leeds at the top of the table.
Everton were 12th and had only won 5 out of 15 games.
They would go on to finish in the bottom half of the table,losing a massive 16 games.
One of the worst performances by a title winning team from the previous season.
For the Arsenal players that seaon,history beckoned,and they went into the record books for all time.
I’d rather not be away to everton on the first day. We were very lucky (very, very) to get away with a draw last year. At least they’ll be without Jagielka, Arteta & Yakubu.
Thanks Clive,
We are very lucky that we got the chance to follow the boys away when it was relatively inexpensive to do so, and for very few games did you actually need tickets, never mind credits.
Sometimes progress does not mean something is ‘better’.
nice nostalgic trip ‘holic.
great for some of your younger readers to hear these tales of days gone. though this wasn’t too far away from my time 😉
media is saying that it’s a horrible start for us? i think it’s good. if we get off to a flyer against some of the “tougher” teams, it will only breed confidence, and may give us the push we need to go on strongly.
can’t wait. this summer is becoming long and boring without the gunners already. though shall enjoy watching theo and gibbsy this evening
cheers all
Danny
I don’t think we were very, very lucky at Goodison. I think we’d have been very, very unlucky if we’d lost, bearing in mind Everton’s goal was the only chance they created all night.
Equally, van Persie’s goal was just about our only chance. The draw was a fair result.
Tough start? Who would anyone rather have than another Premier League side? I seem to recall last season that nothing was a given and we beat teams that people thought we’d lose to and lose to teams that were 3 point bankers. I’m saying no more… Except perhaps that I’ll have a pint of the black stuff, the really cold version. Cheers.
Spaten please. So many questions, Almunia or Fabianski in goal, will Eduardo finally get a good run? Will Van Persie/Adebayor still be in Arsenal shirt? Will Vermaalen be in an Arsenal shirt? Will we finally have a midfield partner for Fabregas that isn’t a digestive biscuit? Will Wenger give Vela a proper go of it this year? What hairstyle will Billy Gallas have etched into his head? Will Wenger stop wearing that same suit to every game? CAN’T WAIT!!!!!