BEFORE Arsene Wenger was appointed Arsenal manager in 1996, George Graham had enjoyed nearly 10 successful years at the Gunners’ helm before he was fired after the bungs scandal.

Often forgotten is another Arsenal manager who’s reign in North London was sandwiched between that of Wenger and Graham: Bruce Rioch.

Rioch played for nine different clubs in his career including a stint with the Seattle Sounders in the NASL, and won a league championship medal with Derby County in 1974.

He became player coach at Torquay United following his return from the USA. He also managed FC Seattle, Millwall, Middlesborough and Bolton Wanderers with mixed success before being handed the reigns at Arsenal.

It was on this day in 1996 that Rioch was sacked by the Gunners’ board after little more than a year in the job after a dispute over transfer funds.

His one season at Arsenal was fairly unremarkable: the team finished fifth in the league which gained them entry into the UEFA Cup, and were knocked out of the League Cup in the semi-final by Aston Villa. They fared no better in the FA Cup, only managing to get to the third round before they were beaten by Sheffield United.



Rioch did however leave a legacy to Arsenal that continued well into the Wenger reign. In the summer of 1995 Rioch paid a then record £7.5m to buy Dennis Bergkamp from Internazionale.

With his sublime touch and often breathtaking goal-scoring feats, Bergkamp would go on to become a legend at Arsenal. For all Wenger’s achievements, and all the great players he brought to Highbury, it was Rioch that ensured Arsenal fans could enjoy watching the Dutch master ply his trade in their colours until his retirement in 2006.

Re-live some of his best moments with this montage of the Dutchman’s goal scoring exploits:

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