The match came about because the French, semi-finalists at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, had made a poor start to their qualification matches for the 1990 tournament. Michel Platini’s men, who’d failed to qualify for the 1988 European Championships, beat Norway 1-0 in their first qualifier thanks to an 84th-minute penalty from Jean-Pierre Papin but could only draw in Cyprus before losing to Yugoslavia. 

With a tough-looking match approaching against Scotland at Hampden Park, Platini wanted his talented but inconsistent players to experience what it was like to play a British side on away turf. 

Platini opted against a match with Tottenham, as he believed their style was ‘too continental.’ Arsenal, on the other hand, with their high-press style (not that such a phrase yet existed in the late ‘80s) and physical approach, fitted the bill. ‘Arsenal are very British and will be no less difficult to play than Scotland,’ Platini said.

The match was perfectly timed. Although neck and neck with Liverpool in the title race, Arsenal were out of both domestic cups. With no European matches in the offing due to the ban on English clubs competing in Europe following the Heysel Disaster in 1985, there was a gap in their midweek diary. 

In the programme for the game, which featured Platini on the front cover, Graham wrote "‘Tonight’s game will provide valuable experience for many of our team, who meet European opposition very rarely because of the Euro ban on English clubs.’ Vice chairman David Dein spoke of his hope for ‘a speedy return to European competition."

The match was screened live on French TV, and a 21,875 crowd turned up in N5 to watch the likes of goalkeeper Joël Bats, defender Laurent Blanc and Papin strut their stuff. Eric Cantona, who’d make such an impression on the English game in the ‘90s, was suspended. 

The game livened up in the second half, after George Graham made two substitutions. Martin Hayes, no longer a first team regular, replaced Brian Marwood and gave Arsenal the lead after 60 minutes with a brilliant finish from just inside the area. 

Winger Perry Groves came on for David Rocastle, burst down Arsenal’s right and crossed for Alan Smith to double Arsenal’s lead in the 74th minute. Platini was magnanimous in defeat, explaining: ‘On this form, Arsenal look a better team than England. They were very good.’

The result at Hampden Park didn’t go France’s way either, with two Mo Johnston goals giving the hosts a win. 

The 2-0 victory proved decisive, with Scotland pipping France to a place at Italia ’90. George Graham’s side had taken the friendly with France seriously, and he’d picked the same side which had beaten Millwall 2-1 a few days earlier. 

By season’s end they’d lift the title, and a decade later, Arsenal’s French stars Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit would combine to help France lift their first World Cup in Paris.