May 10 – One Flew Over Seaman’s Head
ARSENAL is undoubtedly one of the most successful English club’s in the land with more league titles and cup wins under their belt than you can shake a stick at. But for some reason, the the Gunners have never cut it in Europe.
Not once have Arsenal won the European Cup, nor even the Uefa Cup. The only reward for years of toil on the continent is an Inter Cities Fairs Cup from 1970 and a Cup Winners’ Cup from 1994.
Today in 1995 the North Londoners were agonisingly close to adding to that meagre return when they reached the final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup for the second year in succession. To retain the cup they had won the previous year they would have to dispatch Real Zaragoza but it was the Spaniards who took the lead, Juan Esnáider scoring in the 68th minute.
John Hartson (along with Stefan Schwarz, one of only two non-Englishman in the team – how times change) equalised ten minutes later to take the match into extra time.
Neither side had made a breakthrough and a penalty shoot-out was just seconds away when Arsenal hearts were broken – and by a former Spurs player.
Dead on 120 minutes played, Nayim, the former Tottenham midfielder, noticed David Seaman off his line (again!) and lashed at the ball, sending a 40-yard lob over Seaman’s despairing hands into the back of the net.
The referee blew his whistle seconds later.
“It hurts to be beaten like that,” said Seaman (better get used to it Dave). “But as soon as he hit it I knew I was in trouble because I had started to move up as sweeper behind our defence. It was a superb strike. He certainly meant it.”
Stewart Houston, the Arsenal manager, called it “a magnificent strike” and no one celebrated it more than the Tottenham fans, some of whom even named a fanzine One Flew Over Seaman’s Head in honour of the moment.
Since then, despite the Wenger revolution, Arsenal have still not triumphed in European competition, much to Spurs fans’ delight.
There was more friendly cross-city rivalry being stoked up on this day in 1986. Check that out right here, and check us out again tomorrow.
No related posts.
Loading ...
June 12 - Keegan Goes Gung-Ho | On This Football Day on June 12th, 2009
[...] with more time on his hands than Phil Spector, before doing joining that not-very-exclusive club of ‘players that have beaten David Seaman from distance’, letting fly from 25 [...]