Let's all laugh at Totteringham

[spectator]

And when you've clinched the League in grounds such as Anfield 1989, Old Trafford 2002 & White Hart Lane 2004 ... well ... what can one say except that The Arsenal is a club of Real Class, innit

I might point out that you also won the league (and with it, the double) at the 'Lane in 1971 also. The 'class' issue is questionable.

Cheers OWS.

For all the other gossoons like meself, here's an account of the '71 title winning game at The Lane;


1971 THE DOUBLE

1970-71 brought Arsenal their 8th Football League Championship and their 4th F.A. Cup in what was recognized as the most successful season in their history.

In true Arsenal fashion, the League season came down to the final game of the season after Leeds United had amassed 64 points for the season while Arsenal had only 63. With a wonderful sense of occasion the last fixture was against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. The game had been originally scheduled for the day of the F.A. Cup Semi-Finals and now was rearranged for the Monday night before the Cup Final. If Leeds had the chance to select the fixture to deprive Arsenal of the title it would surely be this one. Local rivalry alone would be enough to ensure maximum effort from the opposition, but Spurs were also fighting for a high league placing to ensure a European place, and handsome player bonuses.

The mathematical permutations were also remarkable. A win would give the title to Arsenal, a defeat would give it to Leeds, while a scoreless draw would give the title to Arsenal, but a scoring draw would give it to Leeds.....(ahhh, the joys of goal average!).

Alan Mullery (Tottenhams captain) reinforced the belief that it would be a mighty clash: "Arsenal have got as much chance of being handed the title by Spurs as I have of being handed the crown jewels. They are the last people we want winning the Championship!"

The players lunched at their own homes before reconvening at the South Herts Golf Club, the regular pre-match meeting place at 4:30pm. Already the football fans of North London were on the march towards White Hart Lane. The gates were locked more than an hour before kick off with 51,192 lucky spectators inside. Twice that number were left on the outside. The volume of traffic even surprised the police. Berty Mee recalled: "We gave ourselves an hour for a drive which normally takes 20 minutes. But even then it was a very difficult journey. I have never seen scenes like it. Seeing those crowds increased the sense of occasion for us. There was no way we were going to be beaten." The referee, Kevin Howley, had to abandon his car a mile away to fight his way on foot through the crowds.

The crowd pulsated as the game began. McLintock had his hands full coping with Martin Chivers, while at the other end Charlie George, George Graham and John Radford all came close. For all the energy imparted into the match by both teams, a goalless draw beckoned. But three minutes from time, Kinnear tried to dribble clear of trouble inside his own penalty area. George recaptured the ball from the Spurs right back, and twisted instantly to conjure a cross from an angle which would have defeated most players. Even then it seemed as though Arsenal had been denied. Jennings made the save of the night as Radford met the ball provided to cleverly by George. Tottenham stopped to a man, perhaps in admiration of their goalkeeper, but also because they expected the ball to run behind for a corner. Armstrong had barely stood still all season, and was not going to break the habit now. Rescuing it from near the goalline his chip back across the goal was met by Kennedy's soaring header. The ball sped high to Jennings' left, above the leap of Cyril Knowles behind him. It clipped the underside of the bar and was over the line.

The goal was greeted by an explosion of sound and instant exhilaration from every Arsenal player. When Kevin Howley blew the whistle three minutes later bedlam reigned on the pitch as thousands of fans raced to congratulate their heroes. Players had their shirts ripped off, Bob Wilson actually ended up hugging the referee and the other players were marooned in a sea of spectators. Arsenal had won a record (at the time) 8th League Championship title, and Leeds United had finished second with 64 points, the highest points total achieved by a team NOT to win a championship (at the time). The first part of Arsenal's historic Double had been secured, the second part was to provide just as much excitement.....

The Championship Trail    P   W   D   L   F   A   PTS   
Arsenal               42   29   7   6     71     29          65   1st

Arsenal @ fl net au

[ONeill]

Wish I'd been alive when this happened; even better than lasagna-gate

When the league was restarted in 1919, the decision was taken to expand the 1st division from 20 to 22 teams. The promotion of Derby and Preston, who'd finished 1st and 2nd in the second division in 1915 went through on the nod. Norris managed to get the question of whether Chelsea and Spurs (who'd finished 19th and 20th respectively in the 1st division) should stay up discussed seperately. Chelsea also went through on the nod, and a vote was taken to decide on the final place. The choice was between Tottenham, Arsenal, Barnsley (3rd in the 2nd division), Wolves (4th), Forest (19th), Birmingham and Hull. Norris' influence and close relationship with the league chairman, also chairman of Liverpool, won the day and Arsenal were elected to the 1st division with 18 votes to Tottenham's 8. Arsenal managed to blag their way back into the first division despite protests from their North London neighbours, who were relegated at our expense

[Owenmoresider]

So Arsenal didn't get into the top flight on merit then. Good to know that.

Also, the '71 title would have been Leeds' but for a West Brom 'goal' at Elland Road, which denied them the necessary point.

Bad as things may be at the Lane at present, and that can be turned around, at least they aren't in the position Leeds find themselves now.

[The Real Laoislad]

Spuds 1 - 2 Arsenal 
Is this the last straw,IS Jol going be the first managerial casualty of the season

[The Real Laoislad]

Spurs 1 - 3 Arsenal

[deiseach]

Jesus, wouldn't it be shit if you were Tony Fearon?

That was the case long before today's result

[Puckoon]

Ive just earned a glorious sushi dinner from my spurs fanatic workmate.

[The Gs Man]

4-0 half-time....laugh at that f**kers!   

[Square Ball]

who are they playing?

[Gabriel_Hurl]

Renowned European heavyweight - no, not Tony

Anorthosis Famagusta

[Square Ball]

repeat previous question?

never ever heard of them, sounds like a disease of the lungs

[Owenmoresider]

A cakewalk, should be even more. Nice finish by Defoe for the fifth though. At least there'll be no worries about the away leg now, now if it were 3-0....

[Owenmoresider]

Another Defoe special wraps it up. 6-1, and the group stage awaits.

[Puckoon]

This may have been the best 24 hrs in Martin Jols past month. A 6-1 win, and he wasnt the first manager to get sacked.

[ziggysego]

Where's Tony?