1992-1993 all over again

On Wednesday evening we do battle with the old enemy yet again.

This time we are looking to achieve that treasured rarity: a league double against Arsenal.

In recent years a single league win has been hard enough to come by.  Just over a year ago, we entered the final push for our Champions League place, and in doing so beat Arsenal 2-1 at The Lane.  That win was our first since a victory by the same scoreline in 1999.

That was over 10 years waiting.   10 long, long years.  Since last spring’s glorious victory we’ve proven ourselves even cheekier, having to audacity to go to their patch and beat them. 

The last time we did that was the last time we completed a league double over them.  

The season – 1992/93

Back then it was Highbury not the Emirates.  We’d beaten them 1-0 at home a couple of weeks before Christmas, a Paul Allen first half goal doing the damage.  The return match, played out in front of under 27,000 people saw us take a 3-1 win on the last day of the season.  The victory ensured we finished above Arsenal that season (a heady 8^th to their 10^th)

We took a 2 goal lead through Teddy Sheringham and John Hendry (you remember him, yes you do), before Paul Dickov pulled one back for the home side.  Hendry fired our third to seal it late in the second half (you do remember him now, don’t you?  John.  Hendry.  Scored a couple against Arsenal.  Scottish geezer.  That’s the fella)

Line-ups that day:

Arsenal – Miller, Lyderson (McGowan), Keown, Marshall, O’Leary, Bould, Flatts (Carter), Selley, Smith, Dickov, Heaney.

Tottenham – Walker, McDonald, Van den Hauwe, Hill, Mabbutt, Ruddock, Sedgley, Hendry (Hodges), Anderton, Sheringham, Allen

So, Wednesday, we’re looking for three in a row.  Can we do it?  Of course we can.

This can be a catalyst to kick start this season push for 4^th and the glory of the Champions League (I still have that music in my ears).  A second league win this season against Arsenal would give a dramatic confidence boost to our boys, who will hopefully despatch the remaining visitors to the Lane with ease (West Brom, Blackpool, Birmingham)  and take 5 or 6 points from our travels (Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool).

We got further than Arsenal in the Champions League this season; let’s make sure we get there again so we can go further than them next season.

COYS

Chunky