Gunners' Greatest Players - 42. George Graham
Gunners' Greatest Players - 42. George Graham
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GOLD
Gunners Greatest Players - No 42. George Graham
2 mins 47 seconds
To many Arsenal fans George Graham is the mastermind behind that epic title triumph in 1989. But supporters of a certain age will have equally fond memories of the Scot's elegant contribution to Arsenal's previous championship win, 17 years earlier.
Graham was one of the most eye-catching players of that era and did as much as anybody to bring the Double to Highbury in 1971. Man of the match at the FA Cup Final, scorer of vital goals and a masterful passer - Graham was a major influence from midfield.
But that's not where he started his career. When Graham moved from Chelsea to Arsenal in September 1966, he was a prolific striker who averaged a goal in every two games at Stamford Bridge.
Graham picked up where he left off when he arrived in North London, topping Arsenal's scoring charts in his first two seasons after replacing Joe Baker. His shooting ability, exquisite touch and dominance in the air made him a very good striker - but a lack of pace meant he would never be an excellent one.
Bertie Mee addressed that in early 1969, shifting Graham to a central midfield role and allowing his artistry to flourish. Graham still got his fair share of goals but he was now Arsenal's creative hub. The Scot's laid-back approach in the centre of the park earned him the nickname 'Stroller'.
From his new position, Graham helped Arsenal claim the the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970 and was an integral part of Mee's Double-winning side of 1971. The Scot's performance at a sweltering Wembley was vital to their 2-1 FA Cup Final victory over Liverpool.
The chances of Graham leaving Arsenal seemed slim at that point but Alan Ball's arrival midway through the following season cast doubt on his place in the side. In December 1972, after 77 goals in 308 appearances, Graham joined Manchester United.
Thirteen years later he would return to Highbury. In Graham's first season in charge he lifted the Littlewoods Cup and, in 1989, he became the first man to win the title with Arsenal as a player and a manager after that famous 2-0 win at Liverpool in the final game of the League season.
Graham led Arsenal to another title in 1991, an unprecedented domestic Cup Double in 1993 and the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1994 before his departure in 1995. Graham was a great manager; he was one hell of a player too.
This list of 50 Gunners Greatest Players was determined by tens of thousands of Arsenal fans from across the world. The vote took place on the Club's official website from May 5 to 19. To help prevent multiple voting by a single person, only registered members of Arsenal.com could take part.
| Name | George Graham |
| Born | November 30, 1944. Bargeddie, Lanarkshire, Scotland. |
| Position | Midfielder |
| Arsenal Career | 1966-1972 |
| Arsenal Appearances | 308 |
| Arsenal Goals | 77 |
| Honours with Arsenal | League Championship 1971 |
| FA Cup 1971 | |
| European Fairs Cup 1970 |
[Friday, June 06, 2008]
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