The Moment that Redefined History

There are moments that will come and go in life and there are moments in which you stand up and say “I was there”. Those who were there at Anfield on 26th May,1989 will still recall that night with vigour.While Arsenal fans, I am sure still get an adrenaline rush whenever this story is recounted , it was a horrific heartbreak for home team Liverpool.

Before The Game:

A tribute from 11Gunners to that special special night..

“Thomas, charging through the midfield… it’s up for grabs now… Thomas, right at the end!”

These were the moments when the History was re-written, when the songs of the home fans were turned into cries of shock and despair, when a bunch of fans travelling from North London created enough noise to drown an entire stadium. If the game of Football is an epic drama then the climax was there, on that night.

It seemed the script had been pre-written. The entire season had been a two horse race. The Gunners were initially scheduled to play Liverpool on 23rd April but on 15th April,tragedy had struk in the Liverpool game against nottingham in which 96 supporters had lost their lives.

The big game was rescheduled to the end of the season and there was everything, literally everything to play for on the last day.

The Gunners had held the edge throughout the season having been 15 points clear at the top at the turn of the year but the finish line seemed a distant dream when a defeat and draw combined with Liverpool’s uninterrupted success left us needing to beat the home side by a two goal margin on the final day. It’s unnecessary to say that nobody expected us to pull it off..

“You Haven’t Got A Prayer, Arsenal..”

is what they said..but then the unexpected goes into the history books doesn’t it, that is why 20 years later we are still talking about it..

Arsenal’s starting lineup confused people further, 3 center backs were as uncommon as sunshine in the arctics..that too in a game which we had to win by 2 goals at least…but manager George Graham had plans of his own. A goalless first half rose the anxiety among Gunner fans to a higher level. Liverpool could smell the victory…45 minutes and the scenes would be so different.

Seven minutes into the second half and we took the much needed lead..the scenes transformed..anticipation rose,but the home team wasn’t going to be easy to crack..

Arsenal fans had given up when Thomas squandered a one on one with Grobbelbar but then he was the one who was destined to have the last laugh..

Let your imaginations flow..

“John Lukic threw the ball out to Dixon, his raking pass found Smith and he in turn found Thomas. A fortunate bounce left Thomas clear on goal and, as the Liverpool defenders converged on him, the midfielder flicked the ball past Grobbelaar.”

After 18 yeas the dream had been fulfilled and how..the immensity of the achievement can be gauged from the fact that arsenal’s away jersey was dedicated to the Heroes of 1989..

After The Game:

A League Won not on Points, not on the Goal Difference, but on the Goals Scored!! Now Beat That..

We the Gooners bow down to salute those who defied the ordinary to etch themselves out..

Also Read:

11Moments- The ‘Beginning’

11Moments- I Am ‘Legend’: Herbert Chapman

11Moments- Of Glory and More

11Moments- Good Times Bad Times

11Moments- ‘Double’ The Fun: ’71

11Moments- The Prof And His Geeks

11Moments- The ‘Invincibles’

11Moments- Henry Is ‘GOD’

11Moments- Highbury: A Fitting Farewell

11Moments- A New Beginning: The Emirates