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The 1993–94 season was Arsenal Football Club's 68th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. Arsenal finished fourth in the Premier League and went out in the fourth round of both the FA Cup and the League Cup. Arsenal won their first European competition since 1970: the 1993-94 European Cup Winners' Cup. They defeated Parma 1-0 in the final, thanks to a goal from Alan Smith. Ian Wright was the top scorer in all competitions with 35 goals.
| 1993–94 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Peter Hill-Wood | ||
| Manager | George Graham | ||
| Stadium | Highbury | ||
| FA Premier League | 4th | ||
| FA Cup | Fourth round | ||
| League Cup | Fourth round | ||
| FA Charity Shield | Runners-up | ||
| Cup Winners' Cup | Winners | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Wright (23) All: Wright (35) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 30,563 | ||
|
| |||
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1993–94 saw a great deal of change at Arsenal. The season began with the club's longest-serving player, 34-year-old defender David O'Leary, signing for Leeds and out-of-favour defender Colin Pates joining Brighton. Irish winger Eddie McGoldrick was captured from Crystal Palace; his arrival led to the sale of fellow winger Anders Limpar to Everton in March 1994.
Arsenal conquered their goalscoring problems which had restricted them to 10th place a year earlier. This time round they finished fourth in the league, and at one stage looked like the most likely team to threaten Manchester United's lead. But the real success of the campaign was a 1–0 win over Parma in Copenhagen which gave them glory in the European Cup Winners' Cup and their first European trophy since 1970.[1]
Arsenal surrendered their defence of both domestic cup competitions. Their progress in the League Cup was haltered in November, when they surrendered the trophy to an Aston Villa side who went on to win it. The defeat brought to an end a 25-match unbeaten cup run for Arsenal. They also lost their defence of the FA Cup to Bolton Wanderers in February.[2]
The close season saw Arsenal make swoops for Swedish midfielder Stefan Schwarz as manager George Graham prepared to maintain an Arsenal side that could challenge on all fronts the following season.
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Appearances and goals
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | Premier League | FA Cup | League Cup | Cup Winners' Cup | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| 1 | GK |  ENG |
David Seaman | 56 | 0 | 39 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | ENG |
Lee Dixon | 48 | 0 | 32+1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 3 | DF | ENG |
Nigel Winterburn | 50 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 4 | MF | ENG |
Paul Davis | 34 | 0 | 21+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+2 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| 5 | DF | ENG |
Andy Linighan | 27 | 0 | 20+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 |
| 6 | DF | ENG |
Tony Adams | 48 | 4 | 35 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| 7 | FW | ENG |
Kevin Campbell | 52 | 19 | 28+9 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 2+2 | 1 | 7+1 | 4 |
| 8 | FW | ENG |
Ian Wright | 52 | 34 | 39 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 4 |
| 9 | FW | ENG |
Alan Smith | 41 | 7 | 21+4 | 3 | 1+1 | 1 | 4+1 | 1 | 7+2 | 2 |
| 10 | MF | ENG |
Paul Merson | 47 | 12 | 24+9 | 7 | 2+1 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 3 |
| 11 | MF |  IRL |
Eddie McGoldrick | 37 | 1 | 23+3 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 3+2 | 1 |
| 12 | DF | ENG |
Steve Bould | 37 | 1 | 23+2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5+1 | 0 |
| 13 | GK | ENG |
Alan Miller | 4 | 0 | 3+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | DF | ENG |
Martin Keown | 46 | 0 | 23+10 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4+3 | 0 |
| 15 | MF |  SWE |
Anders Limpar [S] | 12 | 0 | 9+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | MF |  DEN |
John Jensen | 41 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 18 | MF | ENG |
David Hillier | 22 | 0 | 11+4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 |
| 21 | DF |  NIR |
Steve Morrow | 13 | 0 | 7+4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 22 | MF | ENG |
Ian Selley | 27 | 1 | 16+2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1+1 | 0 | 5+2 | 1 |
| 23 | MF | ENG |
Ray Parlour | 32 | 2 | 24+3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | ENG |
Mark Flatts | 3 | 0 | 2+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | MF | ENG |
Neil Heaney [S] | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 27 | FW |  SCO |
Paul Dickov | 1 | 0 | 0+1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
[R] – Reserve team player [L] – Out on loan [S] – Sold
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Premier League
Standings
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Blackburn Rovers | 42 | 25 | 9 | 8 | 63 | 36 | +27 | 84 | Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round |
| 3 | Newcastle United | 42 | 23 | 8 | 11 | 82 | 41 | +41 | 77 | |
| 4 | Arsenal | 42 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 53 | 28 | +25 | 71 | Qualification for the Cup Winners' Cup first round[a] |
| 5 | Leeds United | 42 | 18 | 16 | 8 | 65 | 39 | +26 | 70 | |
| 6 | Wimbledon | 42 | 18 | 11 | 13 | 56 | 53 | +3 | 65 |
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
Notes:
- Arsenal qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as the defending champions.
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 42 | 18 | 17 | 7 | 53 | 28 | +25 | 71 | 10 | 8 | 3 | 25 | 15 | +10 | 8 | 9 | 4 | 28 | 13 | +15 |
Matches
| 14 August 1993 1 | Arsenal | 0–3 | Coventry City | London |
| 15:00 BST |  34', 62', 65' Quinn |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 24,897 |
| 16 August 1993 2 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0–1 | Arsenal | London |
| 20:00 BST | 87' Wright |
Stadium: White Hart Lane Attendance: 28,355 |
| 21 August 1993 3 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0–1 | Arsenal | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | 9' Wright |
Stadium: Hillsborough Attendance: 26,023 |
| 24 August 1993 4 | Arsenal | 2–1 | Leeds United | London |
| 19:45 BST | Newsome 2' (o.g.) Merson 57' |
70' Strachan |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 29,042 |
| 28 August 1993 5 | Arsenal | 2–0 | Everton | London |
| 15:00 BST | Wright 48', 78' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 29,063 |
| 1 September 1993 6 | Blackburn Rovers | 1–1 | Arsenal | Blackburn |
| 19:45 BST | Gallacher 36' |
75' Campbell |
Stadium: Ewood Park Attendance: 14,051 |
| 11 September 1993 7 | Arsenal | 4–0 | Ipswich Town | London |
| 15:00 BST | Wright 30' Campbell 38', 55', 64' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 28,563 |
| 19 September 1993 8 | Manchester United | 1–0 | Arsenal | Manchester |
| 16:00 BST | Cantona 38' |
Stadium: Old Trafford Attendance: 44,009 |
| 25 September 1993 9 | Arsenal | 1–0 | Southampton | London |
| 15:00 BST | Merson 45' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 26,902 |
| 16 October 1993 11 | Arsenal | 0–0 | Manchester City | London |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 29,567 |
| 23 October 1993 12 | Oldham Athletic | 0–0 | Arsenal | Oldham |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Boundary Park Attendance: 12,105 |
| 30 October 1993 13 | Arsenal | 0–0 | Norwich City | London |
| 15:00 BST | Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 30,516 |
| 6 November 1993 14 | Arsenal | 1–2 | Aston Villa | London |
| 15:00 GMT | Wright 58' |
74' Whittingham 90' Townsend |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 31,773 |
| 20 November 1993 15 | Chelsea | 0–2 | Arsenal | London |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | 27' Smith 45' (pen.) Wright |
Stadium: Stamford Bridge Attendance: 26,839 |
| 24 November 1993 16 | West Ham United | 0–0 | Arsenal | London |
| 19:45 GMT | Stadium: Boleyn Ground Attendance: 20,279 |
| 27 November 1993 17 | Arsenal | 2–1 | Newcastle United | London |
| 15:00 GMT | Wright 15' Smith 60' |
61' Beardsley |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 36,091 |
| 4 December 1993 18 | Coventry City | 1–0 | Arsenal | Coventry |
| 15:00 GMT | Quinn 79' |
Stadium: Highfield Road Attendance: 12,722 |
| 6 December 1993 19 | Arsenal | 1–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | London |
| 20:00 GMT | Wright 65' |
25' Anderton |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 35,669 |
| 12 December 1993 20 | Arsenal | 1–0 | Sheffield Wednesday | London |
| 16:00 GMT | Wright 90' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 22,026 |
| 18 December 1993 21 | Leeds United | 2–1 | Arsenal | Leeds |
| 15:00 GMT | McAllister 21' Adams 60' (o.g.) |
27' Campbell |
Stadium: Elland Road Attendance: 37,515 |
| 27 December 1993 22 | Swindon Town | 0–4 | Arsenal | Swindon |
| 12:00 GMT | 19', 26', 68' Campbell 89' Wright |
Stadium: County Ground Attendance: 17,651 |
| 29 December 1993 23 | Arsenal | 3–0 | Sheffield United | London |
| 19:45 GMT | Campbell 11', 55' Wright 40' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 27,035 |
| 1 January 1994 24 | Wimbledon | 0–3 | Arsenal | London |
| 15:00 GMT | 18' Campbell 23' Parlour 55' Wright |
Stadium: Selhurst Park Attendance: 16,584 |
| 3 January 1994 25 | Arsenal | 0–0 | Queens Park Rangers | London |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 34,935 |
| 15 January 1994 26 | Manchester City | 0–0 | Arsenal | Manchester |
| 15:00 GMT | Stadium: Maine Road Attendance: 25,642 |
| 22 January 1994 27 | Arsenal | 1–1 | Oldham Athletic | London |
| 15:00 GMT | Wright 45' (pen.) |
Report | 4' Sharp |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 26,524 |
| 13 February 1994 28 | Norwich City | 1–1 | Arsenal | Norwich |
| 17:00 GMT | Ekoku 57' |
33' Campbell |
Stadium: Carrow Road Attendance: 17,667 |
| 19 February 1994 29 | Everton | 1–1 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| 15:00 GMT | Cottee 81' |
56' Merson |
Stadium: Goodison Park Attendance: 19,891 |
| 26 February 1994 30 | Arsenal | 1–0 | Blackburn Rovers | London |
| 15:00 GMT | Merson 73' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 35,030 |
| 5 March 1994 31 | Ipswich Town | 1–5 | Arsenal | Ipswich |
| 15:00 GMT | Dixon 70' (o.g.) |
Report | 18', 40' (pen.), 86' Wright 24' (o.g.) Youds 52' Parlour |
Stadium: Portman Road Attendance: 18,656 |
| 19 March 1994 32 | Southampton | 0–4 | Arsenal | Southampton |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | 18', 30', 68' (pen.) Wright 84' Campbell |
Stadium: The Dell Attendance: 16,790 |
| 22 March 1994 33 | Arsenal | 2–2 | Manchester United | London |
| 19:45 GMT | Pallister 36' (o.g.) Merson 78' |
10', 53' Sharpe |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 36,203 |
| 26 March 1994 34 | Arsenal | 1–0 | Liverpool | London |
| 15:00 GMT | Merson 47' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 35,556 |
| 2 April 1994 35 | Arsenal | 1–1 | Swindon Town | London |
| 15:00 BST | Smith 4' |
29' Bodin |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 31,634 |
| 4 April 1994 36 | Sheffield United | 1–1 | Arsenal | Sheffield |
| 15:00 BST | Rogers 54' |
69' Campbell |
Stadium: Bramall Lane Attendance: 20,019 |
| 19 April 1994 38 | Arsenal | 1–1 | Wimbledon | London |
| 19:45 BST | Bould 51' |
37' Earle |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 21,292 |
| 23 April 1994 39 | Aston Villa | 1–2 | Arsenal | Birmingham |
| 15:00 BST | Houghton 57' |
Report | 30' (pen.), 90' Wright |
Stadium: Villa Park Attendance: 31,580 |
| 27 April 1994 40 | Queens Park Rangers | 1–1 | Arsenal | London |
| 19:45 BST | Penrice 3' |
46' Merson |
Stadium: Loftus Road Attendance: 11,442 |
| 30 April 1994 41 | Arsenal | 0–2 | West Ham United | London |
| 15:00 BST | 77' Morley 88' Allen |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 33,701 |
| 7 May 1994 42 | Newcastle United | 2–0 | Arsenal | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 15:00 BST | Cole 46' Beardsley 66' |
Stadium: St James' Park Attendance: 32,216 |
European Cup Winners' Cup
It all began on a wet night in Odense. Tony Adams was suspended and Arsenal's Cup Winners Cup hopes nearly died before they’d started. The danes scored first then they missed a penalty. Arsenal pulled themselves together and Ian Wright equalised. Paul Merson broke away to hit the winner.
Kim Brinks team made it difficult for The Gunners in the second leg. They even equalised Kevin Campbells header. Arsenals relief at hearing the final whistle was obvious. In those final moments several players and thousands of fans had relived the horror of the European Cup defeat by Benfica two seasons earlier. But Arsenal eased through to the second round.
Ian Wright tore Standard Liège apart at Highbury. Merson scored a brilliant free-kick. The Standard manager, Arie Haan, was sacked a few days later. So was his replacement, Rene van der Eycken, after Arsenal slaughtered Standard 7-0 in Liège.
Torino in the quarter-final posed some tougher questions. George Graham won the tactical battle in Turin, stationing David Hillier in front of Adams and Steve Bould to stop Enzo Francescoli breaking from midfield. Arsenal created most of the chances. At Highbury Paul Davis's perfectly flighted 66th minute free kick found Adams at the far post, and Adams headed the only goal of the game.
French League leaders Paris Saint-Germain were shocked when the Gunners took command at the Parc des Princes. The goalkeeper Bernard Lama was PSG's hero. Wright beat him once to head Arsenal in front. And PSG punished rare slackness on the Gunners near post at a corner, when David Ginola sneaked in to head the equaliser. Valdo, the Brazilian buzzed in midfield at Highbury. Adams was remarkable; organising, calming, dashing in with fast ditch tackles. The French threatened, but Seaman was rarely troubled. Campbells sixth minute header from Lee Dixon's cross proved decisive.[3]
Typically, Arsenal won their first European trophy since 1970, the hard way: with Ian Wright suspended; John Jensen, Martin Keown and David Hillier injured. There were times when Arsenal rode their luck. Steve Bould had to launch a last ditch tackle on Faustino Asprilla in the opening seconds. Tomas Brolin hit the upright post in the 14th minute. Five minutes later Arsenal made the vital break through with a goal worthy of winning a final. Alan Smith pouncing on Lorenzo Minottis misdirected clearance then cracking a left footed 20 yarder past Luca Bucci, off a post.[4] It was a great night for Smith, he's never played better than he did in Copenhagen, held the ball up tirelessly up front and frustrated Parma. It was a great night for George Graham, enjoying European success as a manager to add to his Fair Cup winners medal 24 years ago. Steve Bould won the Man of the Match plaudits and, given their injury problems, it had been a remarkable game for the Gunners. Nevio Scala, the Parma manager, also praised Arsenal: "Tactically and technically we did not function because Arsenal were a better team."[5]
First round
| 15 September 1993 1st Leg | Odense BK | 1–2 | Arsenal | Odense |
| Keown 18' (o.g.) |
35' Wright 68' Merson |
Stadium: Fionia Park Attendance: 9,580 |
| 29 September 1993 2nd Leg | Arsenal | 1–1 (3–2 agg.) | Odense BK | London |
| Campbell 52' |
86' Nielsen |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 25,689 |
Second round
| 20 October 1993 1st Leg | Arsenal | 3–0 |  Standard Liège | London |
| Wright 39', 63' Merson 50' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 25,258 |
| 3 November 1993 2nd Leg | Standard Liège | 0–7 (0–10 agg.) | Arsenal | Liège |
| Smith 2' Selley 20'Adams 36'Campbell 41', 79'Merson 73'McGoldrick 81' |
Stadium: Stade Maurice Dufrasne Attendance: 15,000 |
Quarter-finals
| 2 March 1994 1st Leg | Torino  | 0–0 | Arsenal | Turin |
| Stadium: Stadio delle Alpi Attendance: 32,480 |
| 15 March 1994 2nd Leg | Arsenal | 1–0 (1–0 agg.) | Torino | London |
| Adams 68' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 34,678 |
Semi-finals
| 29 March 1994 1st Leg | Paris Saint-Germain  | 1–1 | Arsenal | Paris |
| Ginola 49' |
35' Wright |
Stadium: Parc des Princes Attendance: 46,000 |
| 12 April 1994 2nd Leg | Arsenal | 1–0 (2–1 agg.) | Paris Saint-Germain | London |
| Campbell 7' |
Stadium: Highbury Attendance: 34,212 |
Final
| 4 May 1994 | Arsenal | 1–0 | Parma | Copenhagen |
| 20:15 CEST | Smith 20' |
Stadium: Parken Stadium Attendance: 33,765 Referee: Václav Krondl (Czech Republic) |
FA Cup
Arsenal visited George Grahams old club Millwall in the first round. Tony Adams won the game when he headed home a corner as Paul Merson challenged Kasey Keller.
Bolton had knocked out Liverpool in 1993 and beat Everton in the 1994 third round replay. Jason McAteer escaped from man-marking Martin Keown who collided with Steve Bould to fire Wanderers ahead. That brought Arsenal to life. Early in the second half, Ian Wright levelled from Mersons shot, and Adams headed a second from a free-kick. Bolton however stepped up another gear. Under continual pressure the Gunners finally cracked, when Owen Coyle netted Boltons equaliser, only five minutes from the final whistle.
The replay at Highbury took a turn after 20 minutes. Phil Brown lofted an overhead kick into the Arsenal box. The Gunners defence pressed out and John McGinlay ran on to head past David Seamans outstretched hand. Alan Smith levelled the scores, after Ian Wright had challenged Aidan Davison for Lee Dixons throw in. The game thundered into extra-time and after 103 minutes Nigel Winterburn stubbed a back pass. Coyles shot hit the post and McAteer buried the rebound. Five minutes from the end substitute striker Andy Walker was put clear and drove home the third to end any doubts about the outcome. Bruce Riochs side ended Arsenals hopes of retaining the trophy.[6]
| 31 January 1994 R4 | Bolton Wanderers | 2–2 | Arsenal | Bolton |
| Stadium: Burden Park |
| 9 February 1994 R4 Replay | Arsenal | 1–3 | Bolton Wanderers | London |
| Stadium: Highbury |
League Cup
| 21 September 1993 R2 1st Leg | Huddersfield Town | 0–5 | Arsenal | Huddersfield |
| Stadium: Leeds Road, Huddersfield |
| 5 October 1993 R2 2nd Leg | Arsenal | 1–1 (6–1 agg.) | Huddersfield Town | London |
| Stadium: Highbury |
| 26 October 1993 R3 | Arsenal | 1–1 | Norwich City | London |
| Stadium: Highbury |
| 10 November 1993 R3 Replay | Norwich City | 0–3 | Arsenal | Norwich |
| Stadium: Carrow Road |
| 30 November 1993 R4 | Arsenal | 0–1 | Aston Villa | London |
| Stadium: Highbury |
FA Charity Shield
| 7 August 1993 | Arsenal | 1–1 (4–5 p) | Manchester United | Wembley Stadium, London |
| 12:30 BST | Wright 40' |
[7] | Hughes 8' |
Attendance: 66,519 Referee: Gerald Ashby (Worcestershire) |
| Penalties | ||||
Winterburn  Jensen Campbell Merson Wright  Seaman |
Ince Bruce Irwin Keane Cantona Robson |
|||
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- Squad at end of season[8]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Left club during season
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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