Paul Merson, Lee Dixon and Alan Smith reflect on dramatic 1989 Arsenal title win | Off Script

[@jtaylor9562]

As a Liverpool fan, this day will always be painful. But big losses are just as big as great victories in making your clubs history. And big respect to what Arsenal did that day. You had to come to the most intimidating arena and win by 2 clear goals, and you did it. As a 9 year old it was the most painful moment of my life to that point. Also, RIP Rocky. Fantastic player and gentlemen by all accounts.

[@Wuldier]

true class in this comment. very nice man.

[@johnmulderrig3234]

What a night

[@Woodroffski]

Respect to you.

[@harryhicks1142]

People don’t seem to appreciate that football did exist pre 1992, that’s why it isn’t appreciated.

[@alistairhann2094]

@64Fabby There is a film about it! Fever Pitch.

[@alistairhann2094]

@64Fabby Never watched it. As a Spurs' fan, I'd prefer to watch every episode of Made in Chelsea with no breaks.

[@sahiblindberg]

I would argue that football hasn't existed since 1992. The creation of the premier league took the game from the people and gave it to tv companies and big sponsors

[@redhot23howudoin]

89th like 😉

[@thunderroad77]

Huge Liverpool FC fan and have nothing but love and admiration for these boys, and for the rest of the wonderful Arsenal team that fully deserved to win the title that year :)

[@wayne1da121]

This was more dramatic then the Sergio Agrero moment. Easy!

[@mnb9162]

I think it doesn't get the coverage because it was just before the premier league/ TV started to get big. If you ask a lot of football fans they wont barely know this story. If this happened in say 1992/93 for Man Utd or any of those mid 90s Man Utd years EVERYONE would know about it. Man utd would have made about 10 movies about it plus TV programmes.

[@cavs6663]

wayne1da no even not a city fan citys is miles better

[@wayne1da121]

@@cavs6663 No! top two teams in the league play each other in the last game of the season. Arsenal have to win by two goals at Anfield (Gaol difference) and Liverpool were unbeaten at home all season. Arsenal were 1 nil up in the final minutes and scored the crucial second goal late to win the league. If you think man city scoring against QPR is in the same league good luck to you.

[@cavs6663]

wayne1da ok I already know but still citys is the best

[@wayne1da121]

@@cavs6663 I explained how Arsenal's is superior. Sadly you cant put in words the reasons citys is better. Because its not. End of. Dont@ me unless you can articulate your point.

[@doubleglazed]

Geoff Shreeves starts off with an inaccurate statement. Arsenal did not win the league by a goal difference of 1. The goal difference was equal, everything was the same, games, won, drawn, lost and points. It was so tight between Arsenal and Liverpool it was decided on the fact Arsenal scored more goals than Liverpool over the league season and we did it with 45 seconds to go.

[@alistairhann2094]

As a 10-year-old Spurs fan at the time, that winning goal was a moment of profound childhood trauma that haunts me to this day. Thanks guys!

[@stuartlincoln4943]

Good 👍🏻

[@maltlickytexas]

You’re welcome, Spurs fan! From an Arsenal supporter.

[@beardedvikingmtber]

I’m a Liverpool fan & I remember watching this on a Friday night, on the night it devastated me but looking back it’s one of the best finishes to a season of football ever

[@alistairhann2094]

As a Spurs fan, you weren't alone in your devastation. I remember the Thomas goal playing out in slow motion like something from a horror film.

[@patricksterling927]

@@alistairhann2094 😂🤣😂 COYG

[@richardthompson8961]

Wasn't one goal on goal diff. The goal diff was the same. It was goals scored that settled it

[@raphaelrau1728]

3 Arsenal legends who gave 100% and loved the club! We could do with them now!

[@Af17783]

How do people compare city beating relagation battling qpr at home to going away to the best team in the country and beating them 2-0

[@LDN_KMT]

People forget Liverpool were still the most dominant team in Europe at that time United were rubbish Liverpool in that 15 year won the european cup 4 times winning a game at anfield was a big achievement let alone a league title massive credit to arsenal

[@sechabamosala9974]

It doesn't matter which team it was it was how they won

[@Mr.A..]

@@sechabamosala9974 lmao ofc it matters thats literally what makes it dramatic

[@sechabamosala9974]

EXACTLY

[@sechabamosala9974]

@@Mr.A.. it doesn't

[@JamesFoxx]

I’m a Man United fan, I was 8 when this happened and probably didn’t realise the magnitude of it really... I had watched games on/off with my dad from the age of 5 but was probably more excited that I could stay up late and watch a game on a Friday night more than what the game meant until Thomas scored and then the pandemonium etc, but what a moment... can’t imagine this scenario would ever be repeated again... I think looking back, this game right here followed by the season I saw Man Utd win our first trophy the FA Cup against Palace (we were not as a good as Liverpool or Arsenal back then haha) and then Italia ‘90 just got me totally obsessed with football to the point where it was all I ever thought about growing up! Great times!

[@ChubbyChecker182]

I am not an Arsenal fan, but this was the game that led the way to football being SO huge in the following years, and changed its cultural significance in Britain.
That book by Nick Hornby opened up football to the middle classes, and along with the premier League and Sky Sports a few years later, etc

[@am2382]

Considering how Liverpool were the favourites after the unfortunate Hillsborough disaster, it makes that win even more impressive.

[@seattlesfinest1927]

Plus they were the team of the 80's

[@Quincy82AAC]

Arsenal produced the greatest finish in english football history and I am proud to be a Arsenal fan. 😊🌟

[@newshamhouse]

The greatest?? Deluded arsenal fans as per usual.

[@alzer6467]

@@newshamhouse name one better

[@alzer6467]

@Zetro yawn

[@alzer6467]

@Zetro yawn again

[@newshamhouse]

@@alzer6467 The qpr and city game was well better.. you're chatting pure💩💩💩💩💩💩💩 YAAWWWWNNNNN

[@christophercummings1765]

Sky sports discussing 1989? But football didn't start until 1992!

[@jamesford3768]

One of my favorite moments of the film was before the final match against Liverpool when the Arsenal players gave the bouquets of flowers to the Liverpool fans to pay their respects for 96 fans who passed away in the Hillsborough tragedy. Such a classy thing to do. Great film. Great moment.

[@TH-kt5ir]

Clarsenal

[@edmundpower1250]

They were trying to butter up the crowd for the smash and grab to come

[@uapandajezurura7041]

''Look along the line'' Lee Dixon after an offside on Fifa 20

[@darthhammer1475]

Uapanda Jezurura lol

[@Zak-vy1qv]

From that moment Steve Nicol started hating Arsenal

[@fusionz0722]

Alvaan Ansari so right 😂 he literally bashes us every chance he gets

[@cavs6663]

Alvaan Ansari no wonder why arsenal fans hate us when we bash them 5-1

[@fusionz0722]

Ali Dia what that one time 6 years ago 🤦🏽‍♂️

[@fusionz0722]

How’s your invincible season going.... ohhhhh Yh I forgot about Watford 😬

[@cavs6663]

@@fusionz0722 yeah we did it twice 2013/14 and 2018/19

[@peterwest4965]

Greatest moment in all my years as an Arsenal fan

[@neillstevenson5327]

I’ll never forget this game, stationed in Germany, had been on exercise for two weeks prior to the game with a die hard red nose telling me we had no chance, Two nil up I’m out on my balcony in my Jockeys singing we “ We love you Arsenal”..... Germans driving by must have thought those crazy brits....... at it again......... great memories......... RIP Rocky😢

[@ujjalmukherjee7110]

This was the very specific match which made me Arsenal fan for my life. I was 7 at that time.

[@briantimson1397]

Legends! Oh Rocky Rocky....

[@velouris76]

OMG! So Sky suddenly realise that football was invented before 1992!!!

[@MarknoblesAcidhouseparty]

im a west ham fan but i love the sory of that season and of that team .. especially rocky rocastle .... when alan hansen said you'll never win nout with jids.... he forgot Arsenal won the league with kids 6 years earlier

[@jonathongates3747]

I agree, greatest finish to a season ever

[@andreamanning1257]

To have the top two teams in the league playing each other on the last day of the season, both still able to win the league..It’s an unforgettable, special scenario in English football, I doubt it will ever be repeated again. I’m so glad my team have that special piece of history.

[@Severinate]

Remember watching it on the box and running down to Highbury, from Crouch End, at the final whistle. Pure magic that night.

[@cyril1sm]

What a great piece. I will never forget that night. The comments by MERSE, so true. When MT was bearing down, and having 2 centre backs on him and to flick it they way he did. Generally, you use the inside big toe up to the inside of the third toe. MT composed himself using the outside of his 3rd toe and 4 and 5 under extreme pressure on a straightforward diagonal. His composure must have been outstanding to manage the oncoming and then watch Grobbelaar drop to his right. It is probably one of the greatest goals, I have ever seen. I watch this game from time to time and still think Mickey is going to miss! It was really great and so much respect to Liverpool fans as they clapped our win and sang their songs. That is total class - you know!! What beautiful memories. God bless all ! x

[@madmuppet8039]

Not forgetting 10 years earlier, the most dramatic FA cup final finish in history, with us beating United 3:2, with 3 of the goals being scored in the last 5 minutes !!

[@MSBibleGospel]

I don't think people understand what the 1988-89 season did to Liverpool as a football club.
The Hillsboro disaster was heart-wrenching and then it was quickly followed by such a last-minute tragedy to Arsenal.
I think Kenny Dalglish didn't recover even if we did win the title the next season 1989-90.
The 1990-91 season, we started really well but started losing players to injury and losing games and then the pressure hit and King Kenny quit the club.
Liverpool have never been the same since he left even if Houllier and Rafa came close.
But thank God that Jurgen Klopp restored us back to the top in 2018-20.

[@Maj1794]

Best title win in history.

[@cavs6663]

Mujeeb Ahmed nope

[@abhaypartapdhindsa2697]

@@cavs6663 yes

[@nikreece6295]

I actually think that this was the night and season that the great Liverpool team of the 1980s were knocked off our perch.. Although we won the the title back the following season.. We were never the same since

[@dequanmsealey1356]

By far the BEST league finish much better than man city 2011.

[@robertstraw9881]

No it wasn’t. City’s Aguerooooooo moment is ten times better.

[@sachindevprasad3185]

Even as a United fan, 2012 was the better finish. That moment is never going to happen again

[@AH-zz6sc]

@@sachindevprasad3185 No way, this was an actual title decider between Liverpool & Arsenal. City were playing against already relegated QPR (who had nothing but their pride to play for) and we knew they'd dominate, in fact before the game title to City was a foregone conclusion.

[@doubleglazed]

It doesn't matter who you support, the 1989 finish was the most dramatic. 1st verses 2nd, Arsenal playing away and had to win by 2 away to Liverpool compared with Man City playing at home against lowly QPR and only having to win by 1. Plus, having done that, games won, drawn and lost, points and goal difference were the same. It's only that Arsenal scored more goals that clinched us the title over Liverpool.

[@AH-zz6sc]

@Zetro It wasn't a direct title decider, Champions league final is a direct title decider, FA Cup is a direct title decider. Beating the team you're competing against for the title is greater than beating relegation fodder.

[@dougiegooner]

Hands down! There's NEVER been a scenario like that night...as my h as Sky cling onto the Aguero moment that won Man City the league, they weren't playing the champions, with winner takes all, well, two goals in Arsenal's case. ❤😂🙌

[@philmichowicz7015]

Alan Smith what a player.

[@elijahtchilembe-mpovie2715]

Another reminder that football existed before 1992.

[@tonykichenside8443]

Best night ever,will never forget imprinted in my memory till the day I die,love Arsenal

[@Invinciblez18]

Wow Sky Sports actually doing some Arsenal stuff (positive stuff that is)

[@jamespotter3660]

Merson is right. Had it been the Premier League back then, this would have been classed as the greatest final game of the season. Remember watching it. Hated Liverpool, loved to see it.

[@mkrbrtsn1]

I was a Koppite who lost 2 friends at Hillsborough and I remember as soon as I left the ground I thought "so what, it's just a game of football". Nice to see the Arsenal boys reliving it.

[@leverholme9894]

My thoughts are with you mate

[@matthewmensah8703]

Paul Merton, Always brings a smile when he talks.. Brilliant player and humanbeing

[@2buntv743]

Such a season! When men were men , take me back!

[@ghostwithmostt]

Do you love men?

[@rashford3876]

Great to hear from the fifa commentators 😂🤣

[@2olegendstock530]

🤣🤣🤣🤣ya

[@theonbro]

Cheer Geoff

[@aaronanderson8974]

I was devastated losing the league that night. But fair play to Arsenal they came and did a job on Liverpool that night, and deserve the league title.

[@AugustThor438]

Lee Dixon was great in The Conjuring

[@GB-fk7eq]

Rocky Rocky Rocky Rocastle!

[@kwameaboagye121]

It was the time of my life when I was seventeen when the Gunners coming to Anfield and we weren’t given a prayer.
But Smith and Thomas scoring our two goals to clinch our league title ever in the history of Arsenal FC.
Never ever again and am Arsenal fan will never forget it.
RIP Rocky

[@Djfr]

Omg they made the FIFA commentators into real people

[@kieranarmstrong8200]

Done Paul dirty in the thumbnail there like 😂

[@fusionz0722]

Ohhh Rocky Rocky!! Rocky Rocky Rocky Rocky rocastle!

[@TheMarkyMarx]

Most exciting finish to a season in the history of the game. Magical. Come on you Gunners. RIP Rocky.

[@KevinDardis]

I always thought that Arsenal and Liverpool were level on points and goal difference after that game, but that Arsenal won the title because they had scored more goals throughout the season. Or have I remembered that wrong?

[@tom7131]

you're god damn right

[@mohammedyacinebouacida1712]

Best finale to a season ever !!!!Arsenal achieved the impossible on that night at Anfield ....

[@MrCatMeowYT]

RIP Rocky

[@Lee-cl1ko]

Paul merson looks like he is wearing one of those big nose and glasses disguises 🤣

[@xmanv5242]

greatest title win of all time nothing comes close

[@oldmanc2]

Oh Merse - it was appreciated! In the Red half and probably the blue as well, that game WAS appreciated!

[@cripticsam7289]

Arsenal legends love to see it🤤

[@salamwati9281]

Two English premier teams..legends of players..drama ensures when you have to win by goal rather than points..Nuff said.

[@nguyendailam6703]

And Arsenal come streaming forward now in surely what will be their last attack, a good ball by Dixon finding Smith for Thomas charging through the midfield, Thomas it's up for grabs now!

[@mpinto79]

My son plays for u14's at Alvechurch, and Alan Smith was there before moving to Leicester

[@amberpuga7322]

I wish we could see the documentary in America

[@seattlesfinest1927]

Actually it wasn't by a one goal difference, it was the same goal difference but The Arsenal had scored more goals

[@mrkipling2201]

Remember watching the game with my dad on the Friday night. Once Arsenal scored their first goal we both had a feeling that they might do it. We didn’t think it would happen the way it did though. Especially as my team, Manchester United, were crap that season. Some of the games I attended that season were absolutely boring. United games that is. Apart from beating Liverpool 3-1 on New Year’s Day!!

[@larsburke4321]

When the ball went in the net I remember running out of my house and did a lap of the park screaming my head off. When I'd stopped the neighbors had come out to see what all the fuss was about. Mum wasn't happy.

[@jc238]

I remember my gf took me to watch a jazz pianist on that night. I sneaked out and was listening to the game on the radio in the bar with 3 other Arsenal fans that had escaped the music. I think the roar that went up when Thomas scored almost got us kicked out. Priceless.

[@Oscarspaw1971]

As a young football player watching that game only inspired me to the good in our game. Honest players in a battle for the league,2 great sides. My two boys always ask the best game I ever seen and always say this one. (Rangers fan btw) If only we can get the game back to that kind of excitement.

[@Skavillekrew1966]

This has to be one of the greatest football Games in the history of the game, People forget that Liverpool at the time were one of the greatest teams ever they'd dominated for over 30 years
Arsenal had a dominating start but had an almighty wobble - Liverpool were left behind in the league, Liverpool were recovering from the Hillsborough disaster but came good and overtook Arsenal leaving them 3 points ahead at Anfield They were the FA Cup Winners so the double was on yet again.
Arsenal needed to win by 2 clear goals, the rest is Football History, I've had some emotional times in my life but this and the Man United FA Cup final are 2 days that will fill me with Horror & Glory.
I miss those days when Football was Football, how times have changed destroyed by Money.

[@matthewk7145]

I can’t believe sky are talking about something pre-1992

[@cripticsam7289]

Drew Peacock doesn’t matter when it is it was something that was rarely repeated

[@jonathannolan-caffrey3165]

Loving this!!!

[@ZeldaFitz]

I was wondering, there must be some unseen footage of this game out there somewhere, we only ever get to see the cutaway shot of Kenny in between Dixon - Smith, there must have been at least 4 cameras filming that game?hopefully one day it will come to light

[@alijason4134]

Great interview.

[@64croc]

I was at the game
(best game ever)
And I still have the ticket which was signed by 8 or 9 of the players when after the game they game back to my mates club in Southgate north London.

[@shellsbignumber2]

0:08 Wrong. Arsenal and Liverpool finished tied on goal difference. Arsenal won the league on goals scored. I know it was pre-Premier League but get your facts right.

[@edmundpower1250]

And Arsenal's first goal should nit have counted as it was an indirect free kick

[@embracethevision479]

No argument this is the best final day of a League Season. Fulham at Fratton Park, West Brom being the first team to survive after being bottom at Christmas. Man City and Aguero was unreal. But Michael Thomas Giving Grobbelar The Eye with such calmness, after missing an unreal chance earlier.

[@davidstephen2955]

The most exciting game of football in history

[@warrensteamtalk]

Arsenal didn't pip Liverpool to the title on Goal Difference they pipped Liverpool to the title on Goals scored - simple facts get your facts rights unbelievable

[@rigsby1454]

Sky somehow admitting football existed before 92?

[@vacuumboots69]

To do what they did after the Hillsborough disaster and the emotions it's impressive. That said perhaps events there just caught up with Liverpool that day they were very flat from the off

[@h-t.p.24]

26/05/1979 my 10th Birthday. No better gift for a young /Gooner

[@andywalker9079]

Great stuff

[@andreblanchette9151]

Actually we didn't beat them on goal difference, we just scored more goals, the goal difference was the same!

[@Hassan-7860]

Lee dixon alan smith fifaaa legends lol

[@CrazyInsanelikeafox]

For a second there I thought that was Saul Goodman.

[@tonbomohm1]

Arsenal, the most hated club in England, won the league at Anfield, won the league at Old Trafford, won the league at Tottenham. Love it !!!😁😆😅

[@lukehornett8952]

Why this was Better than aguero vs QPR: city Needed to beat QPR, a relegated side, who pushed them right to the end, embarrassing? They should win it 5-0. Not only did Arsenal have to beat lpool, but they had to beat them by 2 goals, city just had to win. Lpool has also not conceded 2 goals at home for 2 years and arsenal hadn’t scored 2 at the kop for over 10 years. The odds were completely stacked against them meaning it was a better season end

[@deathdragonslayer1]

Exactly. City faced a QPR side at home who were battling relegation. Arsenal faced a liverpool team who had won 8 league titles and 4 european cups in 12 years, undefeated at anfield for 3 years. Even to this day, when people debate which team were the best english side ever, the 80s liverpool team are always mentioned.There really isn't any debate.

[@moprotv6170]

Alan smith in the top 5best commentators on the planet 🙌🏻

[@kevrockism]

Definitely not ! Sorry but NO

[@matthewdolan8804]

Bring these days backs!!!! The good old days. Real football real players. ❤️

[@bear1245]

The Micheal Thomas story is also amazing part of it

[@toyosioyejobi309]

I won't lie the two are pretty much the same. I mean arsenal had the same goal difference with liverpool and the same points just on goals scored plus we were three points behind but i guess modern flare makes aguero moment just pip the 89 one

[@shaswotkhadka8430]

At Old Trafford, Anfield and White hart lane!!

[@wrightplacewrighttime.5834]

THE Arsenal. nothing in spurs' history that can rival this. even liveprool or man united.

[@andyhello23]

Thanks for those memories as a kid
Must of been amazing for the players, that night.
Even though i stopped watching arsenal in 2002, when we did same thing to man utd, lol
We did same thing to man utd in 2002, but its not as famous, as it was not last game. The year earlier, we lost 6-1(2001) in old trafford(lol), a year later in 2002, we went into old trafford and won the game, and won the league in front of there fans, and alex ferguson, that big cheater, lol
Lightening does strike twice, and arsenal did the impossible twice, both times to the team dominating english football.
Makes me laugh how bad arsenal are now, since they left highbury.
For arsenal the north bank was as important to them, and the kop was to liverpool. Really dumb to leave highbury, and how highbury was like a cathedral, like anfield was.
At least highbury is immortalised in film, in the film fever pitch they made about our team winning in 1989.
Arsene wenger like i said would ruin arsenal, and he did.
Great those two times we did the impossible, when everyone was saying it was crazy to even think we could goto anfield in 1989, and win by 2, and then in 2002, goto old trafford to win, to win the league.
We struck lightening twice.
Even though i stopped watching arsenal that night.
We can always say
We won the league on the mersey(liverpool)
We won the league in manchester
No other team has won leagues like that, and no league in history can be won in more spectacular way than arsenal did against liverpool in 1989. Liverpool totally dominated english football, and were worlds best team, and had best football stand in world, in the kop.
Great tunes for fan songs.
Lightening really does stirke twice, and i love how they said it was impossible both times, and we did it.
Makes me laugh how bad arsenal since i stopped watching them are. lol

[@charlieherbalistdude6079]

Go on the boys!

[@blurds]

LD: Yeah I'm in, I don't even know what you want me to do.
AL: ... Put this dress on

[@PHILIPWATSON82]

I thaught you meant the younger Alan smith from Rothwell

[@y1521t21b5]

We've had so many near misses in the top-flight! Let's begin to redress that balance in a few weeks' time, you _Mighty Redmen!_ *_YNWA_*

[@mnb9162]

I think it doesn't get the coverage because it was just before the premier league/ TV started to get big. If you ask a lot of football fans they wont barely know this story. If this happened in say 1992/93 for Man Utd or any of those mid 90s Man Utd years EVERYONE would know about it. Man Utd would have had movies/TV programmes.. the lot.

[@princesofthepower3690]

Actually it was on of the most watched football matches in english football history (I think ). It was definitely a highly televised event .

[@mnb9162]

@@princesofthepower3690 At the time maybe as a one off. But its all the extra TV stuff around the games and how they started packaging it all when the Prem kicked off. For example Newcastle blowing the Title with Keegan to Man Utd is probably more known to the average football fan than that Liverpool Arsenal game. People remember that Arsenal win but I reckon things like the Keegan rant etc. in terms of the average fan is probably now more memorable. It shouldnt be but it was the power of what the TV/premier league deal did.

[@princesofthepower3690]

Mn B True , I think the 80s saw the beginning of commercialisation, but the mid -90s it had fully exploded. 89 is definitely remembered by people over the age of 10 ( back then ) , and anyone who watched football then would tell you that , it was one of the most treasured moments. It’s just that nowadays , the younger generation ( post Cold War 1990+ ) , will not remember as they weren’t even born when it happened, they usually focus on the early 2000s to now .

[@mnb9162]

@@princesofthepower3690 Of course yeh, especially for Liverpool or Arsenal fans. But even average fans over currently 40 years old I think The Keegan rant/Newcastle and just in general the whole Premier league movement would now be more memorable even though that Liverpool/Arsenal game was only within a few years of it. If an event like that happened in todays game or in the 90s I just think it would have created something much bigger and a lot clearer and talked about and reffered to more even to this day. That game is sometimes forgotten when it should be one of the most known and talked about.

[@princesofthepower3690]

@@mnb9162 Very true especially , with this whole social media , you bet it would have made the rounds like no other .

[@Lucky-fj5qw]

Arsenal fan.. The football not just that night but back then was just unreal real proper football. Not like today's game 👎🏻

[@rosemaryfarell5264]

Arsenal knocked us off our perch not Fergie. 89 & 91,we won 90 but we were done.