And Leicester....
Posted: Sat Aug 03, 2013 8:58 pmMuch has been made over the years at to why we have "And Leicester" in our "We all follow the Arsenal" song. The reason behind it was five games against Sheffield Wednesday in the 78/79 cup run, back in the days when every game went to a replay. It took five efforts to get past Wednesday, three of those games at Filbert Street after draws at Highbury and Hillsborough.
Arsenal had held the lead in all the previous games only to be pegged back by Wednesday resulting in possibly the longest cup decider I can remember. Neither side had held a two goal lead in the set, so after goals from Steve Gatting and Fr*nk St*pleton, there was surely no way it would happen again.
Arsenal on target for the signing of Brain Talbot from Ipswich were long favourites for the tie, and took the lead as early as the fifth minute from temporary striker Steve Gatting. Liam Brady was instrumental throughout, and indeed could have won himself a penalty but for a shocking refereeing decision (Yes they happened back then as well) Wednesday came back time and again, hit the bar, and a glorious save from Pat Jennings denied them before Alan Sunderland pounced on an easy ball, laid it across for St*pleton to head in. 2-0 and flying.
The more likely team in the second half were Wednesday, but Arsenal held firm, ground out the result and progressed. In truth, it could have been four or five by half time, but just as easily it could have been 2-2.
There were some 30,000+ watching the mud bath that night, yours truly as well, the relief on everyone's face was something to behold as we progressed to the next round of a cup we were ultimately to win.
Arsenal had held the lead in all the previous games only to be pegged back by Wednesday resulting in possibly the longest cup decider I can remember. Neither side had held a two goal lead in the set, so after goals from Steve Gatting and Fr*nk St*pleton, there was surely no way it would happen again.
Arsenal on target for the signing of Brain Talbot from Ipswich were long favourites for the tie, and took the lead as early as the fifth minute from temporary striker Steve Gatting. Liam Brady was instrumental throughout, and indeed could have won himself a penalty but for a shocking refereeing decision (Yes they happened back then as well) Wednesday came back time and again, hit the bar, and a glorious save from Pat Jennings denied them before Alan Sunderland pounced on an easy ball, laid it across for St*pleton to head in. 2-0 and flying.
The more likely team in the second half were Wednesday, but Arsenal held firm, ground out the result and progressed. In truth, it could have been four or five by half time, but just as easily it could have been 2-2.
There were some 30,000+ watching the mud bath that night, yours truly as well, the relief on everyone's face was something to behold as we progressed to the next round of a cup we were ultimately to win.
