In It's an Honour, featured first in the official matchday programme, we're looking back at the seasons that have brought silverware to north London. We re-live the 1998 league title win.
Skipper Tony Adams capped Arsenal’s championship triumph with the memorable fourth goal in the title-clinching victory over Everton.
The Gunners knew victory over Everton would hand them the title with two games to spare - thus ensuring Arsène Wenger would become the first foreign coach to win the English championship, in his first full season in charge.
Arsenal went into the home match on May 3 on the back of a nine-game winning streak in the league, during which they had overtaken Manchester United at the top of the table. On just six minutes the hosts were ahead. Everton’s Slaven Bilic, under pressure from Adams, headed past his own ‘keeper.
Arsene Wenger and Tony Adams with the Premier League trophy
By half-time Marc Overmars had doubled the lead and Arsenal were well on the way to a first championship in seven years. Overmars added his second before the hour mark and in the final minute, Adams added the icing on the cake.
Steve Bould played the ball through, and Adams who had beaten the offside trap, controlled the pass with his chest before lashing the ball past Thomas Myhre in the Everton goal. It was the first time Arsenal had clinched the title at Highbury since 1953. As well putting together a 10-game winning streak Arsenal were unbeaten in the league since December 13. At one stage Manchester United were 12 points ahead at the top of the table.
Dennis Bergkamp was Arsenal’s top scorer with 22 in all competitions, but missed the last three weeks of the season with injury. He was later voted both Football Writers’ and PFA Footballer of the Year.
In the League Cup Arsenal were eliminated at the semi-final stage to Chelsea, while the Gunners were knocked out of the UEFA Cup by PAOK Salonika in the first round. But in the FA Cup Arsenal excelled, and two weeks after winning the league, they completed a second ‘double’.
Premiership appearances: Winterburn 35+1, Parlour 34, Petit 32, Overmars 32, Vieira 31+2, Seaman 31, Bergkamp 28, Dixon 26+2, Adams 26, Wright 22+2, Bould 21+3, Keown 18, Anelka 16+10, Grimandi 16+6, Platt 11+20, Hughes 7+10, Wreh 7+9, Manninger 7, Garde 6+4, Upson 5, Boa Morte 4+11, Marshall 1+2, Mendez 1+2, Vernazza 1, Rankin +1, McGowan +1.
Premiership goals: Bergkamp 16, Overmars 12, Wright 10, Anelka 6, Parlour 5, Platt 3, Wreh 3, Adams 3, Hughes 2, Vieira 2, Petit 2, Winterburn 1, Grimandi 1, Own goals 2.
League Cup final: Chelsea 2, Middlesbrough 0 FA Cup final: Arsenal 2, Newcastle 0
Also that season…. France beat Brazil 3-0 in the 1998 World Cup final in Paris, Arsenal’s Manu Petit scored the third goal, running onto a pass from Patrick Vieira.
And… Legendary crooner Frank Sinatra died of a heart attack at the age of 82.
Ars
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