1997–98 Arsenal F.C. season

Arsenal
1997–98 season
Chairman Peter Hill-Wood
Manager Arsène Wenger
Stadium Highbury
FA Premier League 1st
FA Cup Winners
Football League Cup Semi-finals
UEFA Cup First round
Top goalscorer League:
Dennis Bergkamp (16)
All:
Dennis Bergkamp (22)
Highest home attendance 38,269 vs Everton
(3 May 1998)
Lowest home attendance 37,164 vs Crystal Palace (15 February 1998)
Average home league attendance 37,277[1]
Home colours
Away colours
← 1996–97 1998–99 →

The 1997–98 season was the 100th season of competitive football played by Arsenal. Managed by Arsène Wenger in his first full season, the club ended the campaign winning the league championship for the first time in seven years. At Wembley Stadium, Arsenal beat Newcastle United 2–0 in the 1998 FA Cup Final to win the competition and complete a domestic double – the second in the club's history and the first since 1970–71. Arsenal exited the Football League Cup in the semi-finals to Chelsea and lost on aggregate score to PAOK in the UEFA Cup first round.

In the transfer window, Arsenal purchased several players, including midfielders Marc Overmars and Emmanuel Petit and goalkeeper Alex Manninger; English midfielder Paul Merson departed to join Middlesbrough. Arsenal began the league season relatively well, but a run of three defeats in four matches between November and December 1997 left the team in sixth position before Christmas, and seemingly out of championship contention. Although they were 12 points behind reigning champions Manchester United at the end of February, a winning streak of nine matches ensured Arsenal won the championship with a 4–0 win over Everton on 3 May 1998.

In recognition of the team's achievement, Wenger was awarded the Carling Manager of the Year award and striker Dennis Bergkamp was given the accolade of PFA Players' Player of the Year by his fellow peers and FWA Footballer of the Year by football writers.

Background

In the 1996–97 season, Arsenal contested in the Premier League. The club, having dismissed manager Bruce Rioch before the beginning of the league season, appointed French manager Arsène Wenger, in a contract worth £2 million.[2] Arsenal led the league table for much of November, but defeat to Nottingham Forest on 21 December 1996 concurred with no wins in December. Two draws and defeats in February moved Arsenal into fourth position; a previous defeat to Liverpool at home a month earlier left Wenger ruling the club out of the title race.[3] On the final day of the season, Arsenal beat Derby County 3–1 at the Baseball Ground, finishing third on goal difference. The team, thus, qualified for the UEFA Cup, missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification to second place Newcastle United.[4]

Transfers

The major departure of the 1997–98 season for Arsenal was midfielder Paul Merson, who joined Middlesbrough in a £4.5 million deal, replacing Juninho.[5] Wenger said of the move, "You are never happy to lose a player of his calibre but it is a good deal for him and for the club".[5] Middlesbrough intended to sign David Platt, but a move never came to fruition, as talks broke down between both parties.[6] Defender Matthew Rose and goalkeeper Lee Harper joined Queens Park Rangers for a combined fee of £750,000.

Arriving first during the summer was English defender Matthew Upson from Luton Town.[7] French midfielders Emmanuel Petit and Gilles Grimandi joined from AS Monaco, where they were protégées to Wenger.[8] Marc Overmars, a midfielder from Ajax was recruited in a £7 million deal and spoke of his delight at joining Arsenal in his press conference: "I like English football because there is more space. With my speed and quality I think it will be good for me here."[9] Deals for midfielders Luís Boa Morte and Alberto Mendez, striker Christopher Wreh and goalkeeper Alex Manninger were also finalised before August.

In

No. Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Ref
20 DF Matthew Upson Luton Town £1.2m 10 May 1997 [10]
18 DF Gilles Grimandi AS Monaco £1.75m 4 June 1997 [10]
21 MF Luís Boa Morte Sporting CP £1.75m 14 June 1997 [10]
23 MF Alberto Mendez 1. SC Feucht £250,000 17 June 1997 [10]
11 MF Marc Overmars Ajax £7.0m 1 July 1997 [10]
17 MF Emmanuel Petit AS Monaco £3.5m 1 July 1997 [10]
13 GK Alex Manninger Grazer AK £1.0m 3 July 1997 [10]
12 FW Christopher Wreh AS Monaco £300,000 7 August 1997 [10]

Out

No. Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Ref
31 DF Matthew Rose Queens Park Rangers £500,000 20 May 1997 [11]
29 MF Adrian Clarke Southend United Free 31 May 1997 [11]
9 MF Paul Merson Middlesbrough £4.5m 7 July 1997 [11]
26 GK Lee Harper Queens Park Rangers £250,000 9 July 1997 [11]
27 MF Paul Shaw Millwall £300,000 15 September 1997 [11]
22 MF Ian Selley Fulham £500,000 17 October 1997 [11]
29 MF Glenn Helder NAC Breda £150,000 24 October 1997 [11]
36 MF Jehad Muntasser Bristol City Free 30 January 1998 [12]

Pre-season

Key

  • Green colour = Win
  • Red colour = Loss

Premier League

August–October

Arsenal's league campaign started on 9 August 1997, with an away fixture at Leeds United. The match ended in a 1–1 draw; Ian Wright scored his first goal of the season, before a mix up in defence meant Leeds striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink equalised for the home team.[14] Two days later, at home to Coventry City, Wright scored both goals in Arsenal's 2–0 win, leaving the striker one goal away from equalling Cliff Bastin's club goalscoring record.[15] Two goals from Dennis Bergkamp and a debut goal by midfielder Marc Overmars, the following week helped Arsenal to win at Southampton.[16] In spite of Bergkamp scoring a hat-trick against Leicester City, Arsenal drew the match 3–3, having conceded a third in the sixth minute of stoppage time.[17] A further draw at home to rivals Tottenham Hotpsur, for whom defender Sol Campbell particularly impressed, meant Arsenal ended August in fifth position.[18]

Wright scored his 179th goal for Arsenal against Bolton Wanderers and broke the club goalscoring record in a 4–1 win at Highbury. Manager Arsène Wenger praised the striker's achievement, adding "He is fantastic for the timing of his movement. It is so intelligent when he has not got the ball."[19] Arsenal faced Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on 21 September 1997; at 2–2, a late goal by left back Nigel Winterburn from 25 yards ended the home team's resistance, who went down to ten men after Frank Leboeuf was sent off.[20] September ended with a third consecutive win, against West Ham United. Goals from Bergkamp, Wright and Overmars helped Arsenal move to the top of the league table, one point above champions Manchester United.[21] October began with a 5–0 win at home to promoted Barnsley, but two goalless draws – first at Crystal Palace and then to Aston Villa meant Manchester United moved a point ahead of Arsenal.[22]

November–February

Arsenal's first fixture of November was against Derby County at the newly built Pride Park Stadium. They were awarded a penalty kick in the first half after Patrick Vieira was fouled by Lee Carsley; Wright hit the penalty, which ricocheted off the goal crossbar. Two goals by Paulo Wanchope and a late strike by Dean Sturridge condemned Arsenal to their first defeat of the league season.[23] Arsenal played Manchester United on 9 November 1997 and needed a win to stay one point behind the league leaders. Wenger admitted in his pre-match comments that a second successive defeat would make it "difficult" for them to catch Manchester United, but not "impossible".[24] Striker Nicolas Anelka, standing in for Bergkamp, scored his first goal for Arsenal and Vieira added a second, leaving goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel rattled. Although Teddy Sheringham scored twice for Manchester United to level the score, midfielder David Platt headed into the far corner with seven minutes left of the match to score the winner for Arsenal.[25] Wenger said of the win: "This result is good for the English game because it will stimulate interest in the Premier League"[25] and opposing manager Alex Ferguson half agreed: "A one-horse race is not good for the game."[25] Arsenal failed to capitalise on the result, losing to Sheffield Wednesday and Liverpool, in a period where the team were depleted due to injuries.[26]

A goal from Wright against Newcastle United, his first in seven matches, was enough to earn victory away at St James' Park.[27] Arsenal lost 1–3 to Blackburn Rovers the following week, denting their chances of closing the gap on leaders Manchester United.[28] The match was overshadowed by Wright being booed off by supporters because of his performance, who responded by appearing "at the window of the east stand clad in vest and underpants haranguing the crowd."[29] Arsenal began the Christmas period with a fixture against Wimbledon; the game was abandoned by referee Dermot Gallagher due to floodlight failure and rescheduled for a later date.[30] On Boxing Day, an own goal by Steve Walsh helped Arsenal beat Leicester City 2–1 at Highbury.[31] A draw at Tottenham Hotspur, who were welcoming the return of Jürgen Klinsmann left Arsenal in sixth at the end of the calendar year, 12 points behind Manchester United.[32]

In the first league match of 1998, Overmars scored twice to earn Arsenal a win against Leeds United.[33] A week later the team drew 2–2 at Coventry City, losing more ground at the top of the table.[34] January came to a conclusion with a 3–0 victory over Southampton, with all three goals scored in the space of seven minutes.[35] A further two wins in February, at home to Chelsea and Crystal Palace, moved Arsenal into second place, nine points behind Manchester United, albeit having played two games less.[36]

March–May

Arsenal dropped two points against West Ham United on 2 March 1998, after a goalless draw at Upton Park.[37] The following match, they closed the gap to six points, after Manchester United could also only manage to draw against West Ham but dropped to third position. A goal from Christopher Wreh in the rescheduled match at Wimbledon was enough to move Arsenal into second and set up a title clash between themselves and Manchester United on 14 March 1998.[38] The result moreover reopened betting after Manchester bookmaker Fred Done decided to pay out on punters who backed Manchester United.[39] After numerous attempts to break the deadlock in the match, Arsenal scored with 15 minutes left of the match; Overmars latched onto a header by Anelka and managed to flick the ball beyond the goalkeeper.[40] When asked which team was in the best position going into the final games of the season, Wenger told Sky Sports that United had a "small advantage" over the rest; Ferguson however warned that it would be "inevitable" for Arsenal to drop points.[41][42] Two 1–0 wins, first at home to Sheffield Wednesday and then Bolton Wanderers meant Arsenal kept an eighth successive clean sheet, a new league record.[43]

Arsenal beat Newcastle United 3–1 to move within four points of Manchester United in early April. The return of Bergkamp from a three-match suspension helped Arsenal to trounce Blackburn Rovers; the team scored three goals in the space of the opening 14 minutes.[44] Manchester United's failure to beat Newcastle United meant Arsenal went top of the league table after beating Wimbledon by five goals to nil. Victory against Barnsley and four days later at home against Derby County meant Arsenal needed one more win become league champions, regardless of Manchester United's results.[45] Although Bergkamp was ruled out for the remainder of the season having sustained an injury against Derby, Arsenal eased to a 4–0 win against Everton – the last goal scored by club captain Tony Adams to become the first club other than Manchester United or Blackburn Rovers to win the Premier League.[46] A run of ten straight victories – a new record, was set, and Wenger became the first non-British manager to lead a team to win the league championship. Arsenal lost their final two matches of the league season, choosing to rest players for the upcoming FA Cup Final.[47]

Match results

Classification

Pos
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Qualification or relegation
1 Arsenal (C) 38 23 9 6 68 33 +35 78 1998–99 UEFA Champions League Group stage
2 Manchester United 38 23 8 7 73 26 +47 77 1998–99 UEFA Champions League Second qualifying round
3 Liverpool 38 18 11 9 68 42 +26 65 1998–99 UEFA Cup First round
4 Chelsea 38 20 3 15 71 43 +28 63 1998−99 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup First round 1

Source: [48]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
1 Chelsea qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup as defending champions and were the League Cup winners.
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
38 23 9 6 68 33 +35 78 15 2 2 43 10 +33 8 7 4 25 23 +2

Source: [48]

Results by round

Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAAHAHAHAHHAA
Result D W W D D W W W D W D D L W L L W L W W D W D W W W D W W W W W W W W W L L
Position 8 1 2 3 5 4 2 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 3 5 4 5 6 6 5 5 5 5 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1

Source: [49]
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.

FA Cup

Main article: 1997–98 FA Cup

Arsenal entered the competition in the third round, receiving a bye as a Premier League club. Their opening match was a goalless draw against First Division club Port Vale at home, meaning the game was replayed at Vale Park, eleven days later. In the replay, Arsenal won 4–3 on a penalty shoot-out, having drawn 1–1 in extra time.[50] In the fourth round, Arsenal played Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. Overmars scored the opening goal inside 68 seconds for the visitors and Parlour added a second to give Arsenal a commanding lead, going into the interval. Although Paul Merson scored in the second half for Middlesbrough, Arsenal did enough to progress into the fifth round.[51] A 0–0 draw at home against Crystal Palace meant Arsenal needed to play a fifth round replay at Selhurst Park on 25 February 1998. Goals from Anelka and Bergkamp ensured victory for an understrength Arsenal team.[52] Against West Ham United in the quarter-finals, Arsenal conceded the first goal when Frank Lampard's corner kick was converted into the goal net by Stuart Pearce, through a first-time shot. Although Bergkamp scored a penalty to equalise, Arsenal had to settle for a replay, staged at Upton Park, where it ended 4–3 on penalties after another draw.[53] A goal by Wreh against Wolverhampton Wanderers in the semi-finals meant Arsenal reached their 13th FA Cup final.[54]

On 16 May 1998, Arsenal contested the 1998 FA Cup Final against Newcastle United. Without first choice striker Bergkamp, Wenger partnered Anelka with Wreh, leaving Wright on the substitutes bench.[55] Arsenal scored in the 23rd minute; Overmars sprinted onto a pass from Petit, and used his pace to get past Alessandro Pistone and toe-poke the ball between goalkeeper Shay Given's legs.[56] Anelka scored in the second half, from a pass by Parlour to settle the match.[56] In his post-match interview, Wenger praised the "remarkable" Overmars: "[It is] even more so when you realise that he has scored so many goals in important games that we needed to win."[57]

League Cup

Together, with the other clubs playing in European football, Arsenal entered the Football League Cup in the third round, where they were drawn at home to First Division club Birmingham City. The tie ended 1–1 after normal time; goals from Luís Boa Morte, Platt and Alberto Mendez helped Arsenal win 4–1 in extra time.[58] They needed extra time the following round to beat Coventry City,[59] and in the fifth round, beat West Ham United 2–1 at Upton Park.[60] Arsenal exited the competition in the semi-finals, losing 4–3 on aggregate to Chelsea.[61]

UEFA Cup

Main article: 1997–98 UEFA Cup

Arsenal entered the UEFA Cup first round, having finished third in the league the previous season. They were drawn to play PAOK, a Greek club noted for hooligan problems.[62] In the first leg, Arsenal lost 1–0 at the Toumba Stadium, with midfielder Kostas Frantzeskos scoring the winner.[63] Although Bergkamp levelled the game on aggregate score, 22 minutes into the second leg, a late goal scored by Zisis Vryzas meant Arsenal did not progress past the first round for the second successive season.[64] Wenger later commented that he was not too unhappy about the team's exit, by saying "To be honest, the only European competition that really interests me is the Champions' League".[65]

Awards

In recognition of the team's achievement, Wenger was awarded the Carling Manager of the Year award,[66] saying he was "very proud and honoured" after collecting the prize.[67] Bergkamp was given the accolade of PFA Players' Player of the Year by his fellow peers[68] and FWA Footballer of the Year by football writers.[69]

Player statistics

Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute.
Players with name struck through and marked Left club during playing season left the club during the playing season.
No. Pos. Nat. Name Premier League FA Cup League Cup UEFA Cup Total Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals A yellow rectangular card A red rectangular card
1 GK  ENG David Seaman 31040102037010
2 DF  ENG Lee Dixon 26 (2)070302038 (2)080
3 DF  ENG Nigel Winterburn 35 (1)180302048 (1)150
4 MF  FRA Patrick Vieira 31 (2)28 (1)0202043 (3)2102
5 DF  ENG Steve Bould 21 (3)04 (1)0302030 (4)490
6 DF  ENG Tony Adams 26360202036370
7 MF  ENG David Platt 11 (20)31 (3)02 (2)1 (2)014 (27)450
8 FW  ENG Ian Wright 22 (2)1010112026 (2)1170
9 FW  FRA Nicolas Anelka 16 (10)68 (1)3301 (1)028 (12)920
10 FW  NED Dennis Bergkamp 2816734211402291
11 MF  NED Marc Overmars 32128 (1)2322045 (1)1600
12 FW  LBR Christopher Wreh 7 (9)32 (4)11(2)0(1)010 (16)400
13 GK  AUT Alex Manninger 7050400016010
14 DF  ENG Martin Keown 18070200027041
15 MF  ENG Ray Parlour 34571402047670
17 MF  FRA Emmanuel Petit 32270302044261
18 DF  FRA Gilles Grimandi 16 (6)13 (2)0400023 (8)190
19 DF  FRA Rémi Garde 6 (4)11000007 (4)040
20 DF  ENG Matthew Upson 501020008010
21 MF  POR Luís Boa Morte 4 (11)01 (3)012(1)06 (15)230
23 MF  GER Alberto Mendez 1 (2)00012003 (2)100
25 DF  SCO Scott Marshall 1 (2)0001 (1)0002 (3)100
28 MF  ENG Stephen Hughes 7 (10)23 (3)03 (2)10013 (15)310
28 DF  ENG Gavin McGowan (1)0000000(1)000
32 FW  ENG Isaiah Rankin (1)0000000(1)000
34 DF  ENG Jason Crowe 00(1)0(1)000(2)000
35 MF  ENG Paolo Vernazza 100010002000
36 MF  LBY Jehad Muntasser Left club during playing season 0000(1)000(1)000

Source: [1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Arsenal first team line up (1997–98)". The Arsenal History. Retrieved 10 June 2012. Note: Information is in the section 1997–98. Attendances of friendlies not taken into account in average.
  2. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (17 September 1996). "Arsenal get Wenger on £2m deal". The Guardian (London). p. 24.
  3. ↑ Sky Sports, BSkyB and Premier League (24 March 1997). "Arsène Wenger's post match comments to Sky Sports". Arsenal vs. Liverpool – Ford Monday Night Football (24 March 1997).
  4. ↑ Jones, Ed (12 May 1997). "Adams off but Baseball party goes on". The Guardian (London). p. 22.
  5. 1 2 Thorpe, Martin (8 July 1997). "Merson seals his £4.5m move north". The Guardian (London). p. 26.
  6. ↑ "Platt stands by for Arsenal". The Guardian (London). 11 August 1997. p. 23.
  7. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (10 May 1997). "Wenger buys Luton teenager". The Guardian (London). p. 39.
  8. ↑ Bradfield, Stephen (5 June 1997). "Wenger buys two more Frenchmen". The Guardian (London). p. 26.
  9. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (18 June 1997). "Overmars joins the Arsenal Eurocrats". The Guardian (London). p. 26.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Haylett, Trevor (8 August 1997). "All the Premier League's men". The Guardian (London). p. 56.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Thorpe, Martin (7 February 1998). "Playboy and the Professor, Part III – Capital reckoning: Arsenal and Chelsea clash twice in 10 days". The Guardian (London). p. 40.
  12. ↑ "Jehad Muntasser". Soccerbase. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  13. ↑ "Matchs internationaux". Stade Nyonnais official website. Retrieved 5 June 2012.
  14. ↑ Wilson, Paul (10 August 1997). "Jimmy puts spring into Leeds' step". The Observer (London). p. 43.
  15. ↑ Lacey, David (12 August 1997). "Wright stakes England claim". The Guardian (London). p. 22.
  16. ↑ Fox, Norman (24 August 1997). "Football: Double Dutch of class". The Independent (London). Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  17. ↑ Lacey, David (28 August 1997). "Wright in trouble after Bergkamp treble is nullified". The Guardian (London). p. 23.
  18. ↑ Lawrence, Amy (31 August 1997). "Campbell silences Arsenal's firebrands". The Observer (London). p. 41.
  19. ↑ Thomas, Russell (15 September 1997). "Wright's 180 and counting". The Guardian (London). p. 23.
  20. ↑ Lacey, David (22 September 1997). "Winterburn blast shatters Chelsea". The Guardian (London). p. 21.
  21. ↑ Rowbottom, Mike (25 September 1997). "Football: Brilliant Bergkamp humbles Hammers". The Independent (London). Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  22. ↑ Lacey, David (23 October 1997). "Arsenal big guns suddenly fall silent". The Guardian (London). p. 33.
  23. ↑ Lacey, David (3 November 1997). "Wanchope gives Gunners back pain". The Guardian (London). p. 23.
  24. ↑ Ridley, Ian (9 November 1997). "All red and all conquering". The Independent on Sunday (London). Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  25. 1 2 3 Lacey, David (10 November 1997). "Platt stalls United's march". The Guardian (London). p. 19.
  26. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (1 December 1997). "Arsenal not fit to play for a prince". The Guardian (London). p. 23.
  27. ↑ Hopps, David (8 December 1997). "Wright reaps collective benefit". The Guardian (London). p. 20.
  28. ↑ Jones, Ken (15 December 1997). "Football: Blackburn hand Arsenal a lesson in commitment and care". The Independent (London). Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  29. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (15 December 1997). "Arsenal fade into a Wright red mist". The Guardian (London). p. 23.
  30. ↑ Lacey, David (23 December 1997). "Bad play stops light amid Arsenal gloom". The Guardian (London). p. 20.
  31. ↑ Rowbottom, Mike (27 December 1997). "Football: Lacklustre Arsenal helped by wayward Walsh". The Independent (London). Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  32. ↑ Lacey, David (29 December 1997). "Klinsmann supplies spirit if not fizz". The Guardian (London). p. 21.
  33. ↑ Hughes, Rob (12 January 1998). "Overmars takes battle honours". The Times (London). p. 21.
  34. ↑ Kempson, Russell (19 January 1998). "Strachan risking credibility and FA wrath by lodging hasty complaint". The Times (London). p. 22.
  35. ↑ "Southampton blitzed by Arsenal". BBC News (BBC). 31 January 1998. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  36. ↑ "No second best for Old Trafford men". BBC News (BBC). 21 February 1998. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  37. ↑ "Arsenal drop points in championship chase". BBC News (BBC). 2 March 1998. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  38. ↑ Malin, Ian (12 March 1998). "Wreh of hope for Gunners as gap closes". The Guardian (London). p. 30.
  39. ↑ Hayward, Paul (14 March 1998). "Wenger and the last roll of the dice". The Guardian (London). p. 40.
  40. ↑ Wilson, Paul (15 March 1998). "Overmars, overjoyed and not over yet". The Observer (London). Retrieved 30 May 2012. Note: The following article was republished on The Guardian website on 16 February 1999
  41. ↑ Sky Sports, BSkyB and Premier League (14 March 1998). "Arsène Wenger's post match comments to Sky Sports". Manchester United vs. Arsenal – Ford Football Special (14 March 1998). I don't know. I think they (Manchester United) still have a small advantage because we have to take the points with the games we have in hand and that's not easy.
  42. ↑ Sky Sports, BSkyB and Premier League (14 March 1998). "Alex Ferguson's post match comments to Sky Sports". Manchester United vs. Arsenal – Ford Football Special (14 March 1998). I don't think they're any good of a footballing team as us; they (Arsenal) will find out points will be dropped at the end of the season – no question about that.
  43. ↑ Shaw, Phil (1 April 1998). "Football: Arsenal close the gap on United". The Independent (London). Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  44. ↑ "Four-goal Gunners close on Man Utd". BBC News (BBC). 14 April 1998. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  45. ↑ Lacey, David (30 April 1998). "Petit puts Gunners within range of Double". The Guardian (London). p. 30.
  46. ↑ "Arsenal crowned Premiership champions". BBC News (BBC). 3 May 1998. Retrieved 1 June 2012.
  47. ↑ Alexander, Jeremy (11 May 1998). "Villa's fate rests with Chelsea". The Guardian (London). p. 20.
  48. 1 2 "Premier League – 1997–98". Statto Organisation. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  49. ↑ "Arsenal – 1997–98". Statto Organisation. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  50. ↑ Shaw, Phil (15 January 1998). "Football: Arsenal let off the hook by Tankard". The Independent (London). Retrieved 3 June 2012.
  51. ↑ Barnes, Scott (26 January 1998). "Football: Arsenal spoil their old boy's reunion". The Independent (London). Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  52. ↑ Szreter, Adam (26 February 1998). "Football: Bergkamp makes decisive impact for Arsenal". The Independent (London). Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  53. ↑ Lacey, David (9 March 1998). "Pearce's double act has drawing power". The Guardian (London). p. 22.
  54. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (6 April 1998). "Wreh lights the way to Wembley". The Guardian (London). p. 21.
  55. ↑ Wilson, Paul (17 May 1998). "Too hot for the Toon". The Observer (London). p. 59.
  56. 1 2 "Arsenal at the double". BBC News (BBC). 16 May 1998. Retrieved 10 June 2012.
  57. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (18 May 1998). "Wenger's own double vision". The Guardian (London). p. 21.
  58. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (15 October 1997). "Arsenal discover extra reserves". The Guardian (London). p. 24.
  59. ↑ Lacey, David (19 November 1997). "Bergkamp finds target at last". The Guardian (London). p. 30.
  60. ↑ Lacey, David (7 January 1998). "Wright fires the Gunners". The Guardian (London). p. 22.
  61. ↑ Lacey, David (19 February 1998). "Vialli on high in rebirth of Blues". The Guardian (London). p. 26.
  62. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (16 September 1997). "Culture shock and a tall order for Arsenal". The Guardian (London). p. 22.
  63. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (17 September 1997). "Cacophonous Greeks silence the Gunners". The Guardian (London). p. 25.
  64. ↑ Thorpe, Martin (1 October 1997). "Bergkamp brilliance not enough". The Guardian (London). p. 25.
  65. ↑ "Soccer – Wenger predicts even bigger Champions' League". Hürriyet Daily News. 22 October 1997. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  66. ↑ "Manager profile, Arsene Wenger". Premier League. Retrieved 16 December 2011.
  67. ↑ Rogers, Steve (12 May 1998). "Wenger is simply the best". The Mirror. Retrieved 16 December 2011. (subscription required)
  68. ↑ "Football: Bergkamp aims to finish in England". The Independent (London). 7 April 1998. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  69. ↑ Lacey, David (9 May 1998). "Spare a thought for the losers in the wonderland world of awards in which the winners always share the spoils". The Guardian (London). p. 31.

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