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1996–97 Arsenal F.C. season

November 01, 2023

The 1996–97 season was Arsenal Football Club's fifth season in the Premier League and their 71st consecutive season in the top flight of English football.[2][3] The club dismissed manager Bruce Rioch in the close season, who spent a year in-charge. After much speculation, Frenchman Arsène Wenger was appointed as his replacement – the club's first manager born outside of the British Isles. At the end of the campaign, Arsenal finished third in the Premier League and missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification. They made exits in the fourth round of both the FA Cup and Football League Cup to Leeds United and Liverpool respectively. In Europe, the club were eliminated in the UEFA Cup first round to Borussia Mönchengladbach of Germany.

Arsenal
1996–97 season
ChairmanPeter Hill-Wood
ManagerStewart Houston (caretaker until 12 September)
Pat Rice (caretaker until 30 September)
Arsène Wenger
StadiumHighbury
FA Premier League3rd
FA CupFourth round
Football League CupFourth round
UEFA CupFirst round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Ian Wright (23)
All:
Ian Wright (30)
Highest home attendance38,269 vs Newcastle United (3 May 1997)
Lowest home attendance33,461 vs Sheffield Wednesday (16 September 1996)
Average home league attendance37,056[1]

Arsenal sold several fringe players in the transfer window, notably David Hillier to Portsmouth and Paul Dickov to Manchester City. Midfielders Rémi Garde and Patrick Vieira were purchased from RC Strasbourg and Milan respectively. John Hartson moved to West Ham United in January 1997; he was replaced in the squad by teenager Nicolas Anelka, who joined Arsenal a month later from Paris Saint-Germain.

A strong start to their league campaign, with one defeat in their first 12 matches saw Arsenal begin November in first spot. Although the club were winless during the Christmas period, their chances of winning the title remained intact. A run of two draws and losses in February was more severe, as it moved Arsenal down to fourth spot. Draws in April prompted Wenger to rule his team out of the title race and make priority to second spot, which came with a qualifying spot for the Champions League. Defeat to Newcastle United in the penultimate game of the season all but ended Arsenal's chances of finishing second, given Newcastle's superior goal difference. A win on the final day against Derby County meant the club finished third, level on points with Newcastle and Liverpool.

28 different players represented the club in four competitions and there were 12 different goalscorers. Ian Wright was Arsenal's top goalscorer of the season; he scored 30 goals in 41 appearances.

Background edit

See also: 1995–96 Arsenal F.C. season

In June 1995, Arsenal appointed Bruce Rioch, who had just guided Bolton Wanderers to the League Cup final and promotion to the top flight, as manager.[4] Under his stewardship, the club broke the English transfer record by paying Internazionale £7.5million for Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp and the new signing formed an impressive partnership with Ian Wright.[5][6] Arsenal reached the League Cup semi-finals and finished fifth in the Premier League at the end of 1995–96, securing a place in the following season's UEFA Cup.[7][8]

Managerial changes edit

A week before the start of the league season, Arsenal sacked manager Rioch and cited the decision was in the "best long-term interest of the club".[9] It was alleged that a dispute over transfer funds with the board of directors prompted his departure; his relationship moreover with David Dein according to an insider was "no longer cordial".[10] Stewart Houston was once again put in temporary charge, with Pat Rice serving as first team coach.[11] Johan Cruyff was considered the favourite for the job;Terry Venables and David O'Leary were other names linked to the managerial position.[12] Houston put his name forward for the job, but upon being told that he would not be considered, resigned to take over as manager of Division One side Queens Park Rangers, leaving Rice as the team's second caretaker manager of the season. Arsenal would eventually select Frenchman Arsène Wenger as their next manager, but did not officially announce his appointment until September 1996, once his contract with Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight was terminated by mutual consent.[13] He became Arsenal's 19th and highest-paid manager, on a three-year, £2 million contract.[13]

Transfers edit

In edit

No. Position Player Transferred from Fee Date Ref
DF Valur Gíslason KR Reykjavík Undisclosed 16 July 1996 [14]
24 GK John Lukic Leeds United Free 26 July 1996 [15]
19 DF Rémi Garde RC Strasbourg Free 14 August 1996 [16]
4 MF Patrick Vieira AC Milan £3,500,000 14 August 1996 [16]
11 FW Nicolas Anelka Paris Saint-Germain Undisclosed 22 February 1997 [17]

Out edit

No. Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Ref
23 FW Paul Dickov Manchester City £1,000,000 23 August 1996 [18]
21 MF Eddie McGoldrick Manchester City £250,000 31 October 1996 [19]
17 DF David Hillier Portsmouth £250,000 1 November 1996 [20]
16 FW John Hartson West Ham United £5,000,000 14 February 1997 [21]
12 DF Andy Linighan Crystal Palace £500,000 21 January 1997 [22]
18 MF Steve Morrow Queens Park Rangers £500,000 27 March 1997 [23]

Pre-season edit

19 July 1996 Friendly St Albans City 0–6 Arsenal St Albans
Dixon   ?', ?'
Merson   ?'
Hughes   ?'
Paul Shaw   ?', ?'		 Stadium: Clarence Park
27 July 1996 Friendly Birmingham City 1–0 Arsenal Birmingham
Stadium: St Andrew's
Attendance: 11,101
31 July 1996 Friendly Celtic 2–1 Arsenal Glasgow
Dixon   ?' Stadium: Celtic Park
Attendance: 47,300
3 August 1996 Richard Gough testimonial Rangers 3–0 Arsenal Glasgow
Stadium: Ibrox Stadium
Attendance: 47,300
7 August 1996 Friendly Fiorentina 2–0 Arsenal Florence
Stadium: Stadio Artemio Franchi
Attendance: 18,000
7 August 1996 Friendly Benfica 3–1 Arsenal Florence
Stadium: Stadio Artemio Franchi
Attendance: 18,000
10 August 1996 John Wark testimonial Ipswich Town 1–1 Arsenal Ipswich
Wright   ?' Stadium: Portman Road
Attendance: 13,850
13 August 1996 Friendly Northampton Town 3–1 Arsenal Northampton
Hartson   ?' Stadium: Sixfields Stadium
Attendance: 7,478

Source:[1]

Premier League edit

Main article: 1996–97 FA Premier League

August–October edit

The Arsenal team for Arsène Wenger's first match as manager, a 2–0 win against Blackburn Rovers.[24]

Arsenal began their league campaign on 17 August 1996, at home to West Ham United. Three minutes before the half-hour, Hartson gave Arsenal the lead, after his initial shot came back off the post, for a tap-in.[25] West Ham conceded a penalty in the second half when Marc Rieper handled Lee Dixon's cross; Bergkamp, in the absence of designated penalty taker Wright, struck the ball low to Luděk Mikloško's right to score the team's second goal.[25] Arsenal suffered their first loss of the league season two days later away to Liverpool; Steve McManaman scored twice in six second half minutes.[26] The team responded with a 2–0 win at Leicester City in a game where Wright started as a substitute but scored the decisive goal.[27] A 3–3 draw with Chelsea in the first week of September was described as "outstanding" by Houston after the team had recovered from a two-goal half-time deficit.[28] Although Linighan scored an injury time equaliser for Arsenal against Aston Villa, The Guardian match report suggested their most obvious problem in the match was "...despite Merson's valiant efforts, a lack of invention in midfield".[29] Wright scored a hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday on 16 September 1996, to record 100 league goals for Arsenal.[30] The game marked the debut of Patrick Vieira, who came on as a substitute for Ray Parlour.[30] Goals by Hartson and Wright earned the team victory against Middlesbrough,[31] then the team won a third consecutive match – at home to Sunderland – to draw level on points with league leaders Liverpool.[32]

Wenger's first match in charge of Arsenal was against winless Blackburn Rovers on 12 October 1996. Two goals, both scored by Wright, extended Arsenal's winning league run to four matches and helped consolidate their position.[33] A goalless draw at home to Coventry City was marred by an incident involving Wright and Coventry goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic that resulted in the latter having a broken nose.[34] October concluded with a home fixture against Leeds United; a 3–0 win for Arsenal marked defeat for former manager George Graham, who made his managerial return to Highbury.[35] The team ended the month joint top of the table with Newcastle United, both on 24 points having played 11 games.[36]

November–February edit

Arsenal's first fixture of November was against Wimbledon. Wright gave Arsenal the lead after six minutes, only for Vinnie Jones to head in the equaliser close to half-time.[37] Merson scored Arsenal's second, but Marcus Gayle replied immediately, "bund[ling] the ball past (David) Seaman".[37] An own goal by Nigel Winterburn against Manchester United ended the champions' run of three matches without a win and extended a barren run of Arsenal failing to score at Old Trafford since the creation of the Premier League.[38] Wenger told the press he was not despondent about his first defeat as Arsenal manager: "Obviously, the way we lost was difficult to accept, but I'm happy with the way we played. Our organisation was excellent, we kept fighting and I am very optimistic for the future."[39] Attention soon turned to the North London derby, where Arsenal faced Tottenham Hotspur on 24 November 1996. Arsenal had not beaten their neighbours in over three years and Tottenham were unbeaten at Highbury since September 1991. The match had ramifications in the league: a win potentially placed Arsenal in a position to move into first spot, if other results went in their favour.[40] In the match, Wright put Arsenal into the lead through a penalty, but after 57 minutes, Sol Campbell headed on a long throw for Tottenham and the ball fell to Andy Sinton, whose shot "cannoned off the inside of the near post, then hit Lukic on the head and rebounded into the net".[41] Two minutes before the 90-minute mark, Tony Adams scored the winner, and in injury time, Bergkamp added a third: he controlled a high ball with his left foot and evaded his marker Stephen Carr in a tight area to shoot.[41] A 2–1 win against title challengers Newcastle United, having played three-quarters of the match with ten men, moved Arsenal back to the top of the table.[42]

Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3–1 win at home to Southampton in early December.[43] Against Derby County, Vieira scored his first goal for the club to earn Arsenal a point.[44] The team then faced Nottingham Forest, which marked Stuart Pearce's debut as caretaker manager. Arsenal, without Seaman, Adams, Dixon and Vieira, succumbed to a 2–1 defeat, following the dismissal of Wright.[45] The poor form over Christmas continued: Arsenal were held to a goalless draw away to Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day[46] and twice let their lead against Aston Villa slip, in spite of playing "...the best 45 minutes of football the Premiership has seen this season."[47] On New Year's Day, Wright scored his 200th English league goal in Arsenal's 2–0 win against Middlesbrough; he began a three-game suspension thereafter, because of his red card against Nottingham Forest.[48] Disciplinary problems continued to beset the club: Bergkamp's dismissal in the team's defeat to Sunderland on 11 January 1997 was Arsenal's fifth in ten matches.[49] Wenger admitted the disciplinary record was in danger of damaging their title challenge, adding, "The other strange fact is that three out of five dismissals have been strikers, when that sort of thing normally happens to defenders. To me, that shows our strikers must be taking their fair share of kicks. When teams play Arsenal, the games are physical and we have to defend ourselves."[50] Arsenal kept up with Manchester United and Liverpool with a win over Everton on 19 January 1997; the result kept them three points behind top spot with a game in hand.[51] At Upton Park, the team recorded their sixth victory in seven visits to West Ham and moved second, behind "the advancing Manchester United".[52]

February saw Arsenal's title challenge take a turn for the worse, as the team went on a four-match winless run. Back-to-back draws against Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur was followed by defeat to Manchester United.[53][54] In the latter match, television footage showed Wright aiming a two-footed challenge on opposition goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, who was advancing to gather the ball in his half.[55] The police stepped in to keep the players apart after the final whistle and informed the referee of the incident, which was to be later included in his report.[55] Wright protested his innocence and complained he was subject to racial abuse by Schmeichel, at which point the FA intervened and met with representatives of both clubs.[55] Both players eventually agreed to end their feud and, by April, released statements highlighting this.[56][57] The month ended with a home defeat to Wimbledon, which prompted Wenger to rule out their championship hopes: "'Yes, for the title of course,' he replied when asked if the result had ended the team's interest in the Premiership, 'but for Europe, no.'"[58] After 28 games, Arsenal were in fourth position, having played two more games than Newcastle in third and one more than Manchester United, who were six points clear in first.[59]

March–May edit

Fair play is an English word. It is not a French word, and it has been copied all over the world. Unfortunately, it does not function any more here.

–Arsène Wenger, 19 April 1997[60]

Bergkamp and Wright scored a goal apiece in Arsenal's 2–0 win against Everton on the first day of March.[61] The team won by an identical scoreline at home to Nottingham Forest a week later[62] and then kept a third consecutive clean sheet against Southampton; midfielders Stephen Hughes and Paul Shaw both got themselves on the scoresheet.[63] Defeat at home to Liverpool on 24 March 1997 was marred by a dubious penalty awarded to striker Robbie Fowler. The player himself "stood and mouthed: 'No penalty!'" given Seaman made no contact in the penalty box, but the referee unaltered his decision. Although Fowler's spotkick was later saved, the ball rebounded to Jason McAteer, who scored.[64] Wenger ruled the team out of the title race again by saying after the match, "Everybody knows now that it was not a penalty, but I can understand that a referee took a wrong decision. That's football and it eliminates our chance of the championship."[64]

Wright scored his 27th goal of the season away at Chelsea in the first week of April; it took him seven goals short of breaking Cliff Bastin's career record at Arsenal.[65] A win against Leicester City was Arsenal's fifth league win in six matches and boosted the club's chances of finishing second, which came with a spot in the Champions League.[66] Wenger assessed that it was "not impossible to win the title", adding "but when you see Manchester United winning again, realistically you would like to be in their position."[67] A last-minute equaliser for Blackburn Rovers against Arsenal on 19 April 1997 was controversial given the manner the opposition had scored; with Hughes cramped, Vieira kicked the ball out in order for his teammate to be treated.[68] It was anticipated that, "by the game's conventions", Blackburn should have thrown the ball back unchallenged, but striker Chris Sutton forced a corner.[68] The result prompted Wenger to rule out any chance of winning the league: "The best team [Manchester United] has won. But the race for second place is still open and for many weeks I have thought that was the best we could achieve."[68] A further draw against Coventry City, who were fighting to stay another season in the top-flight, moved Arsenal to within four points of Manchester United.[69] They had, however, played two games more than the incumbent champions and one more than Liverpool, sitting in third.[69] Robbie Elliott scored the winner for Newcastle United against Arsenal on 3 May 1997, which reignited their chances of finishing second.[70] Arsenal ended their league campaign against Derby County, who staged their final match at the Baseball Ground. In spite of winning by three goals to one, having played with ten men for the majority of the game, they missed out on second by goal difference to Newcastle.[71]

Match results edit

17 August 1996 1 Arsenal 2–0 West Ham United London
15:00 BST Hartson   27'
Bergkamp   40' (pen.)		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,056
Referee: Paul Durkin
19 August 1996 2 Liverpool 2–0 Arsenal Liverpool
20:00 BST McManaman   68', 74' Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 38,103
Referee: Gary Willard
24 August 1996 3 Leicester City 0–2 Arsenal Leicester
15:00 BST   27' (pen.) Bergkamp
  90' Wright		 Stadium: Filbert Street
Attendance: 20,429
Referee: Graham Barber
4 September 1996 4 Arsenal 3–3 Chelsea London
19:45 BST Merson   44'
Keown   64'
Wright   77'		   6' (pen.) Leboeuf
  30' Vialli
  90' Wise		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,132
Referee: Keith Burge
7 September 1996 5 Aston Villa 2–2 Arsenal Birmingham
15:00 BST Milošević   39', 63'   70' Merson
  90' Linighan		 Stadium: Villa Park
Attendance: 37,944
Referee: Mike Riley
16 September 1996 6 Arsenal 4–1 Sheffield Wednesday London
20:00 BST Platt   57'
Wright   61' (pen.), 78', 89'		   25' Booth Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 33,461
Referee: Mike Reed
21 September 1996 7 Middlesbrough 0–2 Arsenal Middlesbrough
15:00 BST   3' Hartson
  27' Wright		 Stadium: Riverside Stadium
Attendance: 29,629
Referee: Martin Bodenham
28 September 1996 8 Arsenal 2–0 Sunderland London
15:00 BST Hartson   73'
Parlour   88'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,016
Referee: Paul Danson
12 October 1996 9 Blackburn Rovers 0–2 Arsenal Blackburn
15:00 BST   3', 51' Wright Stadium: Ewood Park
Attendance: 24,303
Referee: Steve Dunn
19 October 1996 10 Arsenal 0–0 Coventry City London
15:00 BST Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,140
Referee: Peter Jones
26 October 1996 11 Arsenal 3–0 Leeds United London
15:00 BST Dixon   1'
Bergkamp   5'
Wright   56'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,076
Referee: Alan Wilkie
2 November 1996 12 Wimbledon 2–2 Arsenal London
15:00 GMT Jones   44'
Gayle   67'		   6' Wright
  64' Merson		 Stadium: Selhurst Park
Attendance: 25,521
Referee: Paul Alcock
16 November 1996 13 Manchester United 1–0 Arsenal Manchester
15:00 GMT Winterburn   63' (o.g.) Stadium: Old Trafford
Attendance: 55,210
Referee: Graham Poll
24 November 1996 14 Arsenal 3–1 Tottenham Hotspur London
16:00 GMT Wright   28' (pen.)
Adams   88'
Bergkamp   90'		   57' Sinton Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,264
Referee: David Elleray
30 November 1996 15 Newcastle United 1–2 Arsenal Newcastle upon Tyne
15:00 GMT Shearer   21'   11' Dixon
  60' Wright		 Stadium: St James' Park
Attendance: 36,565
Referee: Graham Barber
4 December 1996 16 Arsenal 3–1 Southampton London
19:45 GMT Merson   43'
Wright   57' (pen.)
Shaw   89'		   81' Berkovic Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,033
Referee: Peter Jones
7 December 1996 17 Arsenal 2–2 Derby County London
15:00 GMT Adams   45'
Vieira   90'		   62' Sturridge
  71' Powell		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,018
Referee: Martin Bodenham
21 December 1996 18 Nottingham Forest 2–1 Arsenal Nottingham
15:00 GMT Haaland   67', 89'   63' Wright Stadium: City Ground
Attendance: 27,384
Referee: Stephen Lodge
26 December 1996 19 Sheffield Wednesday 0–0 Arsenal Sheffield
17:45 GMT Stadium: Hillsborough
Attendance: 23,245
Referee: Roger Dilkes
28 December 1996 20 Arsenal 2–2 Aston Villa London
15:00 GMT Wright   13'
Merson   73'		   68' Milošević
  74' Yorke		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,130
Referee: Jeff Winter
1 January 1997 21 Arsenal 2–0 Middlesbrough London
15:00 GMT Bergkamp   15'
Wright   44'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 37,573
Referee: Mike Reed
11 January 1997 22 Sunderland 1–0 Arsenal Sunderland
15:00 GMT Adams   66' (o.g.) Stadium: Roker Park
Attendance: 21,154
Referee: Mike Riley
19 January 1997 23 Arsenal 3–1 Everton London
16:00 GMT Bergkamp   55'
Vieira   57'
Merson   69'		   90' Ferguson Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,095
Referee: Keith Burge
29 January 1997 24 West Ham United 1–2 Arsenal London
19:45 GMT Rose   63' (o.g.)   8' Parlour
  67' Wright		 Stadium: Boleyn Ground
Attendance: 24,382
Referee: Martin Bodenham
1 February 1997 25 Leeds United 0–0 Arsenal Leeds
15:00 GMT Stadium: Elland Road
Attendance: 35,502
Referee: David Elleray
15 February 1997 26 Tottenham Hotspur 0–0 Arsenal London
15:00 GMT Stadium: White Hart Lane
Attendance: 33,039
Referee: Graham Poll
19 February 1997 27 Arsenal 1–2 Manchester United London
20:00 GMT Bergkamp   69'   18' A. Cole
  32' Solskjær		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,172
Referee: Martin Bodenham
23 February 1997 28 Arsenal 0–1 Wimbledon London
16:00 GMT   21' Jones Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 37,854
Referee: Peter Jones
1 March 1997 29 Everton 0–2 Arsenal Liverpool
15:00 GMT   21' Bergkamp
  27' Wright		 Stadium: Goodison Park
Attendance: 36,980
Referee: Paul Danson
8 March 1997 30 Arsenal 2–0 Nottingham Forest London
15:00 GMT Bergkamp   50', 79' (pen.) Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,206
Referee: Mike Reed
15 March 1997 31 Southampton 0–2 Arsenal Southampton
15:00 GMT   41' Hughes
  72' Shaw		 Stadium: The Dell
Attendance: 15,144
Referee: Jeff Winter
24 March 1997 32 Arsenal 1–2 Liverpool London
20:00 GMT Wright   78'   50' Collymore
  65' McAteer		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,068
Referee: Gerald Ashby
5 April 1997 33 Chelsea 0–3 Arsenal London
11:15 BST   22' Wright
  53' Platt
  80' Bergkamp		 Stadium: Stamford Bridge
Attendance: 28,182
Referee: Roger Dilkes
12 April 1997 34 Arsenal 2–0 Leicester City London
15:00 BST Adams   35'
Platt   66'		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,044
Referee: Stephen Lodge
19 April 1997 35 Arsenal 1–1 Blackburn Rovers London
15:00 BST Platt   18'   89' Flitcroft Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,086
Referee: Mike Riley
21 April 1997 36 Coventry City 1–1 Arsenal Coventry
20:00 BST Dublin   2'   19' (pen.) Wright Stadium: Highfield Road
Attendance: 19,998
Referee: Keith Burge
3 May 1997 37 Arsenal 0–1 Newcastle United London
15:00 BST   44' Elliott Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,179
Referee: Martin Bodenham
11 May 1997 38 Derby County 1–3 Arsenal Derby
16:00 BST Ward   9'   55', 90' Wright
  82' Bergkamp		 Stadium: Baseball Ground
Attendance: 18,287
Referee: Paul Durkin

Classification edit

Pos Team
 Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
1 Manchester United (C) 38 21 12 5 76 44 +32 75 Qualification for the Champions League group stage
2 Newcastle United 38 19 11 8 73 40 +33 68 Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round
3 Arsenal 38 19 11 8 62 32 +30 68 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round[a]
4 Liverpool 38 19 11 8 62 37 +25 68
5 Aston Villa 38 17 10 11 47 34 +13 61
Source: Premier League
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champions
Notes:
  1. ^ Aston Villa was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking.

Results summary edit

Overall Home Away
Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD
38 19 11 8 62 32  +30 68 10 5 4 36 18  +18 9 6 4 26 14  +12

Source: [72]

Results by round edit

Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738
GroundHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAAHHAHAAAHHAHAHAHHAHA
ResultWLWDDWWWWDWDLWWWDLDDWLWWDDLLWWWLWWDDLW
Position37358732211132111223223233343233222233
Source: [73]
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

FA Cup edit

Main article: 1996–97 FA Cup

Arsenal entered the competition in the third round, by virtue of their Premier League status. Their opening match was a score draw against Sunderland, which highlighted the team's shortcomings in attack, as Wright was out of the side.[74] In the replay staged at Roker Park, Bergkamp scored the opener early in the second half, in what he described as "...not only a beautiful goal, it was an important goal".[75] The player received the ball from Merson and with the Sunderland defence closing in, twice dragged the ball with his studs, before curling it beyond goalkeeper Lionel Pérez' reach.[75] Hughes increased the team's lead on the hour mark, by heading the ball in at the far post; it was his first goal at senior level.[75] Arsenal exited the cup in the fourth round, with defeat to fellow Premier League side Leeds United. Striker Rod Wallace scored the only goal of the match.[76]

4 January 1997 Third round Arsenal 1–1 Sunderland London
15:00 GMT Hartson   10'   20' Gray
  Williams
  Melville		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 37,793
Referee: Steve Dunn
15 January 1997 Third round replay Sunderland 0–2 Arsenal Sunderland
19:45 GMT   46' Bergkamp
  65' Hughes		 Stadium: Roker Park
Attendance: 15,277
Referee: Steve Dunn
4 February 1997 Fourth round Arsenal 0–1 Leeds United London
19:45 GMT Hughes  
Merson  
Hartson  		   12' Wallace
  Halle		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 38,115
Referee: Paul Durkin

Football League Cup edit

Main article: 1996–97 Football League Cup

Together with the other clubs playing in European competitions, Arsenal entered the Football League Cup in the third round. The team were drawn to face First Division Stoke City, on the week of 21 October 1996.[77] The tie ended 1–1 and was subject to a replay; Wright equalised for Arsenal after Mike Sheron gave Stoke a first half lead.[78] Arsenal won the replay by five goals to two, but exited the cup in the fourth round against league rivals Liverpool – the result marked the first time in four years that Arsenal had conceded four goals.[79][80] Wenger described Bould's dismissal for a second bookable offence as "hard", before congratulating his opponents: "Liverpool are the best team we have played against since I've been at Arsenal. We didn't deserve to lose to Manchester United but we did deserve to lose to Liverpool."[80]

23 October 1996 Third round Stoke City 1–1 Arsenal Stoke-on-Trent
19:45 BST Sheron   26'   78' Wright
  Hartson
  Vieira
  Winterburn		 Stadium: Victoria Ground
Attendance: 20,804
Referee: Keith Burge
13 November 1996 Third round replay Arsenal 5–2 Stoke City London
19:45 GMT Wright   41' (pen.), 63'
Platt   46'
Bergkamp   68'
Merson   73'		   35', 88' Sheron Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 33,961
Referee: Gary Willard
27 November 1996 Fourth round Liverpool 4–2 Arsenal Liverpool
19:45 GMT McManaman   26'
Fowler   39' (pen.), 52'
Berger   72'
James  		   13' (pen.), 68' (pen.) Wright
    52' Bould		 Stadium: Anfield
Attendance: 32,814
Referee: Alan Wilkie

UEFA Cup edit

Main article: 1996–97 UEFA Cup

Arsenal entered the UEFA Cup in the first round, a competition which they qualified for by virtue of finishing fifth the previous league season. They were drawn to play German team Borussia Mönchengladbach, twice winners of the cup in the 1970s.[81] In the first leg, staged at Highbury, Arsenal lost Bergkamp through injury before the half-hour; the player was replaced by fellow Dutchman Glenn Helder.[82] Monchengladbach took the lead in the 37th minute, after Peter Nielsen's forward pass met Andrzej Juskowiak, who slipped the ball past an advancing Seaman.[82] Moments after the second half commenced, the away team doubled their lead: captain Stefan Effenberg had taken advantage of Linighan's defensive mistake, which allowed him to shoot. Although Seaman saved the first shot, Effenberg followed up and placed the ball into the top corner of the net.[82] Merson half the deficit in the 54th minute, but Stephan Paßlack increased Monchengladbach's advantage with ten minutes to go; he headed the ball unchallenged past Seaman.[82] Wright scored Arsenal's second goal of the match in stoppage time, on a night where Houston admitted it was "my worst night in Europe".[82]

A fortnight later, Arsenal played the second leg, with Adams returning to the side, deployed in a five-man defence.[83] This did not keep Monchengladbach quiet, for it was they who scored the opening goal, through Juskowiak.[83] Wright replied for Arsenal two minutes before the break and the team brought the aggregate scoreline level, when Merson "pump[ed] home a cracking 25-yard drive into the top right-hand corner."[83] Effenberg equalised, by which point Arsenal had made attacking substitutions to score a third goal.[83] Late in the match, Juskowiak scored his second on the counter, to help Monchengladbach win 6–4 on aggregate score.[83] Wenger, who was in attendance, did not precede over the match officially, but suggested "one or two changes" to caretaker manager and later assistant Pat Rice during the interval.[83]

10 September 1996 First leg Arsenal   2–3   Borussia Mönchengladbach London
19:45 BST Merson   54'
Wright   90'		   37' Juskowiak
  47' Effenberg
  81' Paßlack		 Stadium: Highbury
Attendance: 36,900
Referee:   Urs Meier
25 September 1996 Second leg Borussia Mönchengladbach   3–2
(6–4 agg.)		   Arsenal Cologne
19:45 BST Juskowiak   23', 89'
Effenberg   75'		   43' Wright
  51' Merson		 Stadium: Müngersdorfer Stadion
Attendance: 30,000
Referee:   Antonio Jesús López Nieto

Squad statistics edit

Arsenal used a total of 28 players during the 1996–97 season and there were 12 different goalscorers. There were also five squad members who did not make a first-team appearance in the campaign. Bould and Wright featured in 40 matches – the most of any Arsenal player in the campaign; Winterburn started in all 38 league matches. Parlour made the most appearances as a substitute with 15.

The team scored a total of 76 goals in all competitions. The highest scorer was Wright, with 30 goals, followed by Bergkamp who scored 14 goals. Four Arsenal players were sent off during the season: Wright, Bergkamp, Bould and Adams.

Key

Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute. Players with number struck through and marked † 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    
1 GK   ENG David Seaman 22 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 28 0 0 0
2 DF   ENG Lee Dixon 31 (1) 2 1 0 3 0 1 0 36 (1) 2 8 0
3 DF   ENG Nigel Winterburn 38 0 2 0 3 0 2 0 45 0 6 0
4 MF   FRA Patrick Vieira 30 (1) 2 3 0 3 0 1 0 37 (1) 2 12 0
5 DF   ENG Steve Bould 33 0 3 0 3 0 1 (1) 0 40 (1) 0 6 1
6 DF   ENG Tony Adams 27 (1) 3 3 0 3 0 1 0 34 (1) 3 6 2
7 MF   ENG David Platt 27 (1) 4 1 0 3 1 2 0 33 (1) 5 4 0
8 FW   ENG Ian Wright 30 (5) 23 1 0 3 5 2 2 36 (5) 30 11 1
9 FW   ENG Paul Merson 33 6 3 0 3 1 2 2 40 9 2 0
10 FW   NED Dennis Bergkamp 28 (1) 12 2 1 2 1 1 1 33 (1) 14 5 1
11 MF   NED Glenn Helder (2) 0 0 0 0 0 (2) 0 (4) 0 0 0
11 FW   FRA Nicolas Anelka (4) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (4) 0 0 0
12 DF   ENG Andy Linighan † 10 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 12 (1) 0 0 0
14 DF   ENG Martin Keown 33 1 3 0 3 0 2 0 41 1 8 0
15 MF   ENG Ray Parlour 17 (13) 2 0 0 (1) 0 1 (1) 0 21 (15) 2 8 0
16 FW   WAL John Hartson † 14 (5) 3 2 1 1 (2) 0 2 0 18 (8) 4 0 0
17 DF   ENG David Hillier † (2) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (2) 0 0 0
18 DF   NIR Steve Morrow † 5 (9) 0 2 0 (2) 0 0 0 7 (11) 0 0 0
19 DF   FRA Rémi Garde 7 (4) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 (4) 0 2 0
22 MF   ENG Ian Selley (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0
23 FW   SCO Paul Dickov † (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 (1) 0 0 0
24 GK   ENG John Lukic 15 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 17 0 0 0
25 DF   SCO Scott Marshall 6 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 (1) 0 1 0
26 GK   ENG Lee Harper 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
27 FW   ENG Paul Shaw 1 (7) 2 (1) 0 0 0 0 0 1 (8) 2 0 0
28 MF   ENG Stephen Hughes 9 (5) 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 11 (5) 2 2 0
30 DF   ENG Gavin McGowan 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
31 DF   ENG Matthew Rose 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

Source:[1]

See also edit

References edit

General

  • "1996–97 calendar". Arseweb.com. Retrieved 26 September 2013.

Specific

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  2. ^ James, Josh (18 June 2013). "All-time Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
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  9. ^ "Pass notes, no. 868: Bruce Rioch". The Guardian. London. 13 August 1996. p. T3.
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  11. ^ Thorpe, Martin (13 August 1996). "Arsenal ditch Rioch and look abroad". The Guardian. London. p. 22.
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  14. ^ "Valur Gíslason". Soccerbase. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
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November 01, 2023
1996, arsenal, season, 1996, season, arsenal, football, club, fifth, season, premier, league, their, 71st, consecutive, season, flight, english, football, club, dismissed, manager, bruce, rioch, close, season, spent, year, charge, after, much, speculation, fre. The 1996 97 season was Arsenal Football Club s fifth season in the Premier League and their 71st consecutive season in the top flight of English football 2 3 The club dismissed manager Bruce Rioch in the close season who spent a year in charge After much speculation Frenchman Arsene Wenger was appointed as his replacement the club s first manager born outside of the British Isles At the end of the campaign Arsenal finished third in the Premier League and missed out on UEFA Champions League qualification They made exits in the fourth round of both the FA Cup and Football League Cup to Leeds United and Liverpool respectively In Europe the club were eliminated in the UEFA Cup first round to Borussia Monchengladbach of Germany Arsenal1996 97 seasonChairmanPeter Hill WoodManagerStewart Houston caretaker until 12 September Pat Rice caretaker until 30 September Arsene WengerStadiumHighburyFA Premier League3rdFA CupFourth roundFootball League CupFourth roundUEFA CupFirst roundTop goalscorerLeague Ian Wright 23 All Ian Wright 30 Highest home attendance38 269 vs Newcastle United 3 May 1997 Lowest home attendance33 461 vs Sheffield Wednesday 16 September 1996 Average home league attendance37 056 1 Home coloursAway colours 1995 961997 98 Arsenal sold several fringe players in the transfer window notably David Hillier to Portsmouth and Paul Dickov to Manchester City Midfielders Remi Garde and Patrick Vieira were purchased from RC Strasbourg and Milan respectively John Hartson moved to West Ham United in January 1997 he was replaced in the squad by teenager Nicolas Anelka who joined Arsenal a month later from Paris Saint Germain A strong start to their league campaign with one defeat in their first 12 matches saw Arsenal begin November in first spot Although the club were winless during the Christmas period their chances of winning the title remained intact A run of two draws and losses in February was more severe as it moved Arsenal down to fourth spot Draws in April prompted Wenger to rule his team out of the title race and make priority to second spot which came with a qualifying spot for the Champions League Defeat to Newcastle United in the penultimate game of the season all but ended Arsenal s chances of finishing second given Newcastle s superior goal difference A win on the final day against Derby County meant the club finished third level on points with Newcastle and Liverpool 28 different players represented the club in four competitions and there were 12 different goalscorers Ian Wright was Arsenal s top goalscorer of the season he scored 30 goals in 41 appearances Contents 1 Background 1 1 Managerial changes 1 2 Transfers 1 2 1 In 1 2 2 Out 2 Pre season 3 Premier League 3 1 August October 3 2 November February 3 3 March May 3 4 Match results 3 5 Classification 3 5 1 Results summary 3 5 2 Results by round 4 FA Cup 5 Football League Cup 6 UEFA Cup 7 Squad statistics 8 See also 9 ReferencesBackground editSee also 1995 96 Arsenal F C season In June 1995 Arsenal appointed Bruce Rioch who had just guided Bolton Wanderers to the League Cup final and promotion to the top flight as manager 4 Under his stewardship the club broke the English transfer record by paying Internazionale 7 5million for Dutch striker Dennis Bergkamp and the new signing formed an impressive partnership with Ian Wright 5 6 Arsenal reached the League Cup semi finals and finished fifth in the Premier League at the end of 1995 96 securing a place in the following season s UEFA Cup 7 8 Managerial changes edit A week before the start of the league season Arsenal sacked manager Rioch and cited the decision was in the best long term interest of the club 9 It was alleged that a dispute over transfer funds with the board of directors prompted his departure his relationship moreover with David Dein according to an insider was no longer cordial 10 Stewart Houston was once again put in temporary charge with Pat Rice serving as first team coach 11 Johan Cruyff was considered the favourite for the job Terry Venables and David O Leary were other names linked to the managerial position 12 Houston put his name forward for the job but upon being told that he would not be considered resigned to take over as manager of Division One side Queens Park Rangers leaving Rice as the team s second caretaker manager of the season Arsenal would eventually select Frenchman Arsene Wenger as their next manager but did not officially announce his appointment until September 1996 once his contract with Japanese club Nagoya Grampus Eight was terminated by mutual consent 13 He became Arsenal s 19th and highest paid manager on a three year 2 million contract 13 Transfers edit In edit No Position Player Transferred from Fee Date RefDF Valur Gislason KR Reykjavik Undisclosed 16 July 1996 14 24 GK John Lukic Leeds United Free 26 July 1996 15 19 DF Remi Garde RC Strasbourg Free 14 August 1996 16 4 MF Patrick Vieira AC Milan 3 500 000 14 August 1996 16 11 FW Nicolas Anelka Paris Saint Germain Undisclosed 22 February 1997 17 Out edit No Position Player Transferred to Fee Date Ref23 FW Paul Dickov Manchester City 1 000 000 23 August 1996 18 21 MF Eddie McGoldrick Manchester City 250 000 31 October 1996 19 17 DF David Hillier Portsmouth 250 000 1 November 1996 20 16 FW John Hartson West Ham United 5 000 000 14 February 1997 21 12 DF Andy Linighan Crystal Palace 500 000 21 January 1997 22 18 MF Steve Morrow Queens Park Rangers 500 000 27 March 1997 23 Pre season editSt Albans City v Arsenal 19 July 1996 FriendlySt Albans City0 6ArsenalSt AlbansDixon nbsp Merson nbsp Hughes nbsp Paul Shaw nbsp Stadium Clarence Park Birmingham City v Arsenal 27 July 1996 FriendlyBirmingham City1 0ArsenalBirminghamStadium St Andrew s Attendance 11 101 Celtic v Arsenal 31 July 1996 FriendlyCeltic2 1ArsenalGlasgowDixon nbsp Stadium Celtic Park Attendance 47 300 Rangers v Arsenal 3 August 1996 Richard Gough testimonialRangers3 0ArsenalGlasgowStadium Ibrox Stadium Attendance 47 300 Fiorentina v Arsenal 7 August 1996 FriendlyFiorentina2 0ArsenalFlorenceStadium Stadio Artemio Franchi Attendance 18 000 Benfica v Arsenal 7 August 1996 FriendlyBenfica3 1ArsenalFlorenceStadium Stadio Artemio Franchi Attendance 18 000 Ipswich Town v Arsenal 10 August 1996 John Wark testimonialIpswich Town1 1ArsenalIpswichWright nbsp Stadium Portman Road Attendance 13 850 Northampton Town v Arsenal 13 August 1996 FriendlyNorthampton Town3 1ArsenalNorthamptonHartson nbsp Stadium Sixfields Stadium Attendance 7 478 Source 1 Premier League editMain article 1996 97 FA Premier League August October edit nbsp Seaman Keown Bould Adams Winterburn Merson Vieira Platt Dixon Hartson WrightThe Arsenal team for Arsene Wenger s first match as manager a 2 0 win against Blackburn Rovers 24 Arsenal began their league campaign on 17 August 1996 at home to West Ham United Three minutes before the half hour Hartson gave Arsenal the lead after his initial shot came back off the post for a tap in 25 West Ham conceded a penalty in the second half when Marc Rieper handled Lee Dixon s cross Bergkamp in the absence of designated penalty taker Wright struck the ball low to Ludek Miklosko s right to score the team s second goal 25 Arsenal suffered their first loss of the league season two days later away to Liverpool Steve McManaman scored twice in six second half minutes 26 The team responded with a 2 0 win at Leicester City in a game where Wright started as a substitute but scored the decisive goal 27 A 3 3 draw with Chelsea in the first week of September was described as outstanding by Houston after the team had recovered from a two goal half time deficit 28 Although Linighan scored an injury time equaliser for Arsenal against Aston Villa The Guardian match report suggested their most obvious problem in the match was despite Merson s valiant efforts a lack of invention in midfield 29 Wright scored a hat trick against Sheffield Wednesday on 16 September 1996 to record 100 league goals for Arsenal 30 The game marked the debut of Patrick Vieira who came on as a substitute for Ray Parlour 30 Goals by Hartson and Wright earned the team victory against Middlesbrough 31 then the team won a third consecutive match at home to Sunderland to draw level on points with league leaders Liverpool 32 Wenger s first match in charge of Arsenal was against winless Blackburn Rovers on 12 October 1996 Two goals both scored by Wright extended Arsenal s winning league run to four matches and helped consolidate their position 33 A goalless draw at home to Coventry City was marred by an incident involving Wright and Coventry goalkeeper Steve Ogrizovic that resulted in the latter having a broken nose 34 October concluded with a home fixture against Leeds United a 3 0 win for Arsenal marked defeat for former manager George Graham who made his managerial return to Highbury 35 The team ended the month joint top of the table with Newcastle United both on 24 points having played 11 games 36 November February edit Arsenal s first fixture of November was against Wimbledon Wright gave Arsenal the lead after six minutes only for Vinnie Jones to head in the equaliser close to half time 37 Merson scored Arsenal s second but Marcus Gayle replied immediately bund ling the ball past David Seaman 37 An own goal by Nigel Winterburn against Manchester United ended the champions run of three matches without a win and extended a barren run of Arsenal failing to score at Old Trafford since the creation of the Premier League 38 Wenger told the press he was not despondent about his first defeat as Arsenal manager Obviously the way we lost was difficult to accept but I m happy with the way we played Our organisation was excellent we kept fighting and I am very optimistic for the future 39 Attention soon turned to the North London derby where Arsenal faced Tottenham Hotspur on 24 November 1996 Arsenal had not beaten their neighbours in over three years and Tottenham were unbeaten at Highbury since September 1991 The match had ramifications in the league a win potentially placed Arsenal in a position to move into first spot if other results went in their favour 40 In the match Wright put Arsenal into the lead through a penalty but after 57 minutes Sol Campbell headed on a long throw for Tottenham and the ball fell to Andy Sinton whose shot cannoned off the inside of the near post then hit Lukic on the head and rebounded into the net 41 Two minutes before the 90 minute mark Tony Adams scored the winner and in injury time Bergkamp added a third he controlled a high ball with his left foot and evaded his marker Stephen Carr in a tight area to shoot 41 A 2 1 win against title challengers Newcastle United having played three quarters of the match with ten men moved Arsenal back to the top of the table 42 Arsenal moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League with a 3 1 win at home to Southampton in early December 43 Against Derby County Vieira scored his first goal for the club to earn Arsenal a point 44 The team then faced Nottingham Forest which marked Stuart Pearce s debut as caretaker manager Arsenal without Seaman Adams Dixon and Vieira succumbed to a 2 1 defeat following the dismissal of Wright 45 The poor form over Christmas continued Arsenal were held to a goalless draw away to Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day 46 and twice let their lead against Aston Villa slip in spite of playing the best 45 minutes of football the Premiership has seen this season 47 On New Year s Day Wright scored his 200th English league goal in Arsenal s 2 0 win against Middlesbrough he began a three game suspension thereafter because of his red card against Nottingham Forest 48 Disciplinary problems continued to beset the club Bergkamp s dismissal in the team s defeat to Sunderland on 11 January 1997 was Arsenal s fifth in ten matches 49 Wenger admitted the disciplinary record was in danger of damaging their title challenge adding The other strange fact is that three out of five dismissals have been strikers when that sort of thing normally happens to defenders To me that shows our strikers must be taking their fair share of kicks When teams play Arsenal the games are physical and we have to defend ourselves 50 Arsenal kept up with Manchester United and Liverpool with a win over Everton on 19 January 1997 the result kept them three points behind top spot with a game in hand 51 At Upton Park the team recorded their sixth victory in seven visits to West Ham and moved second behind the advancing Manchester United 52 February saw Arsenal s title challenge take a turn for the worse as the team went on a four match winless run Back to back draws against Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur was followed by defeat to Manchester United 53 54 In the latter match television footage showed Wright aiming a two footed challenge on opposition goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel who was advancing to gather the ball in his half 55 The police stepped in to keep the players apart after the final whistle and informed the referee of the incident which was to be later included in his report 55 Wright protested his innocence and complained he was subject to racial abuse by Schmeichel at which point the FA intervened and met with representatives of both clubs 55 Both players eventually agreed to end their feud and by April released statements highlighting this 56 57 The month ended with a home defeat to Wimbledon which prompted Wenger to rule out their championship hopes Yes for the title of course he replied when asked if the result had ended the team s interest in the Premiership but for Europe no 58 After 28 games Arsenal were in fourth position having played two more games than Newcastle in third and one more than Manchester United who were six points clear in first 59 March May edit Fair play is an English word It is not a French word and it has been copied all over the world Unfortunately it does not function any more here Arsene Wenger 19 April 1997 60 Bergkamp and Wright scored a goal apiece in Arsenal s 2 0 win against Everton on the first day of March 61 The team won by an identical scoreline at home to Nottingham Forest a week later 62 and then kept a third consecutive clean sheet against Southampton midfielders Stephen Hughes and Paul Shaw both got themselves on the scoresheet 63 Defeat at home to Liverpool on 24 March 1997 was marred by a dubious penalty awarded to striker Robbie Fowler The player himself stood and mouthed No penalty given Seaman made no contact in the penalty box but the referee unaltered his decision Although Fowler s spotkick was later saved the ball rebounded to Jason McAteer who scored 64 Wenger ruled the team out of the title race again by saying after the match Everybody knows now that it was not a penalty but I can understand that a referee took a wrong decision That s football and it eliminates our chance of the championship 64 Wright scored his 27th goal of the season away at Chelsea in the first week of April it took him seven goals short of breaking Cliff Bastin s career record at Arsenal 65 A win against Leicester City was Arsenal s fifth league win in six matches and boosted the club s chances of finishing second which came with a spot in the Champions League 66 Wenger assessed that it was not impossible to win the title adding but when you see Manchester United winning again realistically you would like to be in their position 67 A last minute equaliser for Blackburn Rovers against Arsenal on 19 April 1997 was controversial given the manner the opposition had scored with Hughes cramped Vieira kicked the ball out in order for his teammate to be treated 68 It was anticipated that by the game s conventions Blackburn should have thrown the ball back unchallenged but striker Chris Sutton forced a corner 68 The result prompted Wenger to rule out any chance of winning the league The best team Manchester United has won But the race for second place is still open and for many weeks I have thought that was the best we could achieve 68 A further draw against Coventry City who were fighting to stay another season in the top flight moved Arsenal to within four points of Manchester United 69 They had however played two games more than the incumbent champions and one more than Liverpool sitting in third 69 Robbie Elliott scored the winner for Newcastle United against Arsenal on 3 May 1997 which reignited their chances of finishing second 70 Arsenal ended their league campaign against Derby County who staged their final match at the Baseball Ground In spite of winning by three goals to one having played with ten men for the majority of the game they missed out on second by goal difference to Newcastle 71 Match results edit Arsenal v West Ham United 17 August 1996 1Arsenal2 0West Ham UnitedLondon15 00 BST Hartson nbsp 27 Bergkamp nbsp 40 pen Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 056Referee Paul Durkin Liverpool v Arsenal 19 August 1996 2Liverpool2 0ArsenalLiverpool20 00 BST McManaman nbsp 68 74 Stadium Anfield Attendance 38 103Referee Gary Willard Leicester City v Arsenal 24 August 1996 3Leicester City0 2ArsenalLeicester15 00 BST nbsp 27 pen Bergkamp nbsp 90 Wright Stadium Filbert Street Attendance 20 429Referee Graham Barber Arsenal v Chelsea 4 September 1996 4Arsenal3 3ChelseaLondon19 45 BST Merson nbsp 44 Keown nbsp 64 Wright nbsp 77 nbsp 6 pen Leboeuf nbsp 30 Vialli nbsp 90 Wise Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 132Referee Keith Burge Aston Villa v Arsenal 7 September 1996 5Aston Villa2 2ArsenalBirmingham15 00 BST Milosevic nbsp 39 63 nbsp 70 Merson nbsp 90 Linighan Stadium Villa Park Attendance 37 944Referee Mike Riley Arsenal v Sheffield Wednesday 16 September 1996 6Arsenal4 1Sheffield WednesdayLondon20 00 BST Platt nbsp 57 Wright nbsp 61 pen 78 89 nbsp 25 Booth Stadium Highbury Attendance 33 461Referee Mike Reed Middlesbrough v Arsenal 21 September 1996 7Middlesbrough0 2ArsenalMiddlesbrough15 00 BST nbsp 3 Hartson nbsp 27 Wright Stadium Riverside Stadium Attendance 29 629Referee Martin Bodenham Arsenal v Sunderland 28 September 1996 8Arsenal2 0SunderlandLondon15 00 BST Hartson nbsp 73 Parlour nbsp 88 Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 016Referee Paul Danson Blackburn Rovers v Arsenal 12 October 1996 9Blackburn Rovers0 2ArsenalBlackburn15 00 BST nbsp 3 51 Wright Stadium Ewood Park Attendance 24 303Referee Steve Dunn Arsenal v Coventry City 19 October 1996 10Arsenal0 0Coventry CityLondon15 00 BST Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 140Referee Peter Jones Arsenal v Leeds United 26 October 1996 11Arsenal3 0Leeds UnitedLondon15 00 BST Dixon nbsp 1 Bergkamp nbsp 5 Wright nbsp 56 Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 076Referee Alan Wilkie Wimbledon v Arsenal 2 November 1996 12Wimbledon2 2ArsenalLondon15 00 GMT Jones nbsp 44 Gayle nbsp 67 nbsp 6 Wright nbsp 64 Merson Stadium Selhurst Park Attendance 25 521Referee Paul Alcock Manchester United v Arsenal 16 November 1996 13Manchester United1 0ArsenalManchester15 00 GMT Winterburn nbsp 63 o g Stadium Old Trafford Attendance 55 210Referee Graham Poll Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur 24 November 1996 14Arsenal3 1Tottenham HotspurLondon16 00 GMT Wright nbsp 28 pen Adams nbsp 88 Bergkamp nbsp 90 nbsp 57 Sinton Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 264Referee David Elleray Newcastle United v Arsenal 30 November 1996 15Newcastle United1 2ArsenalNewcastle upon Tyne15 00 GMT Shearer nbsp 21 nbsp 11 Dixon nbsp 60 Wright Stadium St James Park Attendance 36 565Referee Graham Barber Arsenal v Southampton 4 December 1996 16Arsenal3 1SouthamptonLondon19 45 GMT Merson nbsp 43 Wright nbsp 57 pen Shaw nbsp 89 nbsp 81 Berkovic Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 033Referee Peter Jones Arsenal v Derby County 7 December 1996 17Arsenal2 2Derby CountyLondon15 00 GMT Adams nbsp 45 Vieira nbsp 90 nbsp 62 Sturridge nbsp 71 Powell Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 018Referee Martin Bodenham Nottingham Forest v Arsenal 21 December 1996 18Nottingham Forest2 1ArsenalNottingham15 00 GMT Haaland nbsp 67 89 nbsp 63 Wright Stadium City Ground Attendance 27 384Referee Stephen Lodge Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal 26 December 1996 19Sheffield Wednesday0 0ArsenalSheffield17 45 GMT Stadium Hillsborough Attendance 23 245Referee Roger Dilkes Arsenal v Aston Villa 28 December 1996 20Arsenal2 2Aston VillaLondon15 00 GMT Wright nbsp 13 Merson nbsp 73 nbsp 68 Milosevic nbsp 74 Yorke Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 130Referee Jeff Winter Arsenal v Middlesbrough 1 January 1997 21Arsenal2 0MiddlesbroughLondon15 00 GMT Bergkamp nbsp 15 Wright nbsp 44 Stadium Highbury Attendance 37 573Referee Mike Reed Sunderland v Arsenal 11 January 1997 22Sunderland1 0ArsenalSunderland15 00 GMT Adams nbsp 66 o g Stadium Roker Park Attendance 21 154Referee Mike Riley Arsenal v Everton 19 January 1997 23Arsenal3 1EvertonLondon16 00 GMT Bergkamp nbsp 55 Vieira nbsp 57 Merson nbsp 69 nbsp 90 Ferguson Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 095Referee Keith Burge West Ham United v Arsenal 29 January 1997 24West Ham United1 2ArsenalLondon19 45 GMT Rose nbsp 63 o g nbsp 8 Parlour nbsp 67 Wright Stadium Boleyn Ground Attendance 24 382Referee Martin Bodenham Leeds United v Arsenal 1 February 1997 25Leeds United0 0ArsenalLeeds15 00 GMT Stadium Elland Road Attendance 35 502Referee David Elleray Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal 15 February 1997 26Tottenham Hotspur0 0ArsenalLondon15 00 GMT Stadium White Hart Lane Attendance 33 039Referee Graham Poll Arsenal v Manchester United 19 February 1997 27Arsenal1 2Manchester UnitedLondon20 00 GMT Bergkamp nbsp 69 nbsp 18 A Cole nbsp 32 Solskjaer Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 172Referee Martin Bodenham Arsenal v Wimbledon 23 February 1997 28Arsenal0 1WimbledonLondon16 00 GMT nbsp 21 Jones Stadium Highbury Attendance 37 854Referee Peter Jones Everton v Arsenal 1 March 1997 29Everton0 2ArsenalLiverpool15 00 GMT nbsp 21 Bergkamp nbsp 27 Wright Stadium Goodison Park Attendance 36 980Referee Paul Danson Arsenal v Nottingham Forest 8 March 1997 30Arsenal2 0Nottingham ForestLondon15 00 GMT Bergkamp nbsp 50 79 pen Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 206Referee Mike Reed Southampton v Arsenal 15 March 1997 31Southampton0 2ArsenalSouthampton15 00 GMT nbsp 41 Hughes nbsp 72 Shaw Stadium The Dell Attendance 15 144Referee Jeff Winter Arsenal v Liverpool 24 March 1997 32Arsenal1 2LiverpoolLondon20 00 GMT Wright nbsp 78 nbsp 50 Collymore nbsp 65 McAteer Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 068Referee Gerald Ashby Chelsea v Arsenal 5 April 1997 33Chelsea0 3ArsenalLondon11 15 BST nbsp 22 Wright nbsp 53 Platt nbsp 80 Bergkamp Stadium Stamford Bridge Attendance 28 182Referee Roger Dilkes Arsenal v Leicester City 12 April 1997 34Arsenal2 0Leicester CityLondon15 00 BST Adams nbsp 35 Platt nbsp 66 Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 044Referee Stephen Lodge Arsenal v Blackburn Rovers 19 April 1997 35Arsenal1 1Blackburn RoversLondon15 00 BST Platt nbsp 18 nbsp 89 Flitcroft Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 086Referee Mike Riley Coventry City v Arsenal 21 April 1997 36Coventry City1 1ArsenalCoventry20 00 BST Dublin nbsp 2 nbsp 19 pen Wright Stadium Highfield Road Attendance 19 998Referee Keith Burge Arsenal v Newcastle United 3 May 1997 37Arsenal0 1Newcastle UnitedLondon15 00 BST nbsp 44 Elliott Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 179Referee Martin Bodenham Derby County v Arsenal 11 May 1997 38Derby County1 3ArsenalDerby16 00 BST Ward nbsp 9 nbsp 55 90 Wright nbsp 82 Bergkamp Stadium Baseball Ground Attendance 18 287Referee Paul Durkin Classification edit Pos Teamvte Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation1 Manchester United C 38 21 12 5 76 44 32 75 Qualification for the Champions League group stage2 Newcastle United 38 19 11 8 73 40 33 68 Qualification for the Champions League second qualifying round3 Arsenal 38 19 11 8 62 32 30 68 Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round a 4 Liverpool 38 19 11 8 62 37 25 685 Aston Villa 38 17 10 11 47 34 13 61Source Premier LeagueRules for classification 1 points 2 goal difference 3 number of goals scored C ChampionsNotes Aston Villa was rewarded entry to the UEFA Cup through UEFA Fair Play ranking Results summary edit Overall Home Away Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts W D L GF GA GD W D L GF GA GD38 19 11 8 62 32 30 68 10 5 4 36 18 18 9 6 4 26 14 12Source 72 Results by round edit Round1234567891011121314151617181920212223242526272829303132333435363738GroundHAAHAHAHAHHAAHAHHAAHHAHAAAHHAHAHAHHAHAResultWLWDDWWWWDWDLWWWDLDDWLWWDDLLWWWLWWDDLWPosition37358732211132111223223233343233222233Source 73 A Away H Home W Win D Draw L LossFA Cup editMain article 1996 97 FA Cup Arsenal entered the competition in the third round by virtue of their Premier League status Their opening match was a score draw against Sunderland which highlighted the team s shortcomings in attack as Wright was out of the side 74 In the replay staged at Roker Park Bergkamp scored the opener early in the second half in what he described as not only a beautiful goal it was an important goal 75 The player received the ball from Merson and with the Sunderland defence closing in twice dragged the ball with his studs before curling it beyond goalkeeper Lionel Perez reach 75 Hughes increased the team s lead on the hour mark by heading the ball in at the far post it was his first goal at senior level 75 Arsenal exited the cup in the fourth round with defeat to fellow Premier League side Leeds United Striker Rod Wallace scored the only goal of the match 76 Arsenal v Sunderland 4 January 1997 Third roundArsenal1 1SunderlandLondon15 00 GMT Hartson nbsp 10 nbsp 20 Gray nbsp Williams nbsp Melville Stadium Highbury Attendance 37 793Referee Steve Dunn Sunderland v Arsenal 15 January 1997 Third round replaySunderland0 2ArsenalSunderland19 45 GMT nbsp 46 Bergkamp nbsp 65 Hughes Stadium Roker Park Attendance 15 277Referee Steve Dunn Arsenal v Leeds United 4 February 1997 Fourth roundArsenal0 1Leeds UnitedLondon19 45 GMT Hughes nbsp Merson nbsp Hartson nbsp nbsp 12 Wallace nbsp Halle Stadium Highbury Attendance 38 115Referee Paul DurkinFootball League Cup editMain article 1996 97 Football League Cup Together with the other clubs playing in European competitions Arsenal entered the Football League Cup in the third round The team were drawn to face First Division Stoke City on the week of 21 October 1996 77 The tie ended 1 1 and was subject to a replay Wright equalised for Arsenal after Mike Sheron gave Stoke a first half lead 78 Arsenal won the replay by five goals to two but exited the cup in the fourth round against league rivals Liverpool the result marked the first time in four years that Arsenal had conceded four goals 79 80 Wenger described Bould s dismissal for a second bookable offence as hard before congratulating his opponents Liverpool are the best team we have played against since I ve been at Arsenal We didn t deserve to lose to Manchester United but we did deserve to lose to Liverpool 80 Stoke City v Arsenal 23 October 1996 Third roundStoke City1 1ArsenalStoke on Trent19 45 BST Sheron nbsp 26 nbsp 78 Wright nbsp Hartson nbsp Vieira nbsp Winterburn Stadium Victoria Ground Attendance 20 804Referee Keith Burge Arsenal v Stoke City 13 November 1996 Third round replayArsenal5 2Stoke CityLondon19 45 GMT Wright nbsp 41 pen 63 Platt nbsp 46 Bergkamp nbsp 68 Merson nbsp 73 nbsp 35 88 Sheron Stadium Highbury Attendance 33 961Referee Gary Willard Liverpool v Arsenal 27 November 1996 Fourth roundLiverpool4 2ArsenalLiverpool19 45 GMT McManaman nbsp 26 Fowler nbsp 39 pen 52 Berger nbsp 72 James nbsp nbsp 13 pen 68 pen Wright nbsp nbsp 52 Bould Stadium Anfield Attendance 32 814Referee Alan WilkieUEFA Cup editMain article 1996 97 UEFA Cup Arsenal entered the UEFA Cup in the first round a competition which they qualified for by virtue of finishing fifth the previous league season They were drawn to play German team Borussia Monchengladbach twice winners of the cup in the 1970s 81 In the first leg staged at Highbury Arsenal lost Bergkamp through injury before the half hour the player was replaced by fellow Dutchman Glenn Helder 82 Monchengladbach took the lead in the 37th minute after Peter Nielsen s forward pass met Andrzej Juskowiak who slipped the ball past an advancing Seaman 82 Moments after the second half commenced the away team doubled their lead captain Stefan Effenberg had taken advantage of Linighan s defensive mistake which allowed him to shoot Although Seaman saved the first shot Effenberg followed up and placed the ball into the top corner of the net 82 Merson half the deficit in the 54th minute but Stephan Passlack increased Monchengladbach s advantage with ten minutes to go he headed the ball unchallenged past Seaman 82 Wright scored Arsenal s second goal of the match in stoppage time on a night where Houston admitted it was my worst night in Europe 82 A fortnight later Arsenal played the second leg with Adams returning to the side deployed in a five man defence 83 This did not keep Monchengladbach quiet for it was they who scored the opening goal through Juskowiak 83 Wright replied for Arsenal two minutes before the break and the team brought the aggregate scoreline level when Merson pump ed home a cracking 25 yard drive into the top right hand corner 83 Effenberg equalised by which point Arsenal had made attacking substitutions to score a third goal 83 Late in the match Juskowiak scored his second on the counter to help Monchengladbach win 6 4 on aggregate score 83 Wenger who was in attendance did not precede over the match officially but suggested one or two changes to caretaker manager and later assistant Pat Rice during the interval 83 Arsenal nbsp v nbsp Borussia Monchengladbach 10 September 1996 First legArsenal nbsp 2 3 nbsp Borussia MonchengladbachLondon19 45 BST Merson nbsp 54 Wright nbsp 90 nbsp 37 Juskowiak nbsp 47 Effenberg nbsp 81 Passlack Stadium Highbury Attendance 36 900Referee nbsp Urs Meier Borussia Monchengladbach nbsp v nbsp Arsenal 25 September 1996 Second legBorussia Monchengladbach nbsp 3 2 6 4 agg nbsp ArsenalCologne19 45 BST Juskowiak nbsp 23 89 Effenberg nbsp 75 nbsp 43 Wright nbsp 51 Merson Stadium Mungersdorfer Stadion Attendance 30 000Referee nbsp Antonio Jesus Lopez NietoSquad statistics editArsenal used a total of 28 players during the 1996 97 season and there were 12 different goalscorers There were also five squad members who did not make a first team appearance in the campaign Bould and Wright featured in 40 matches the most of any Arsenal player in the campaign Winterburn started in all 38 league matches Parlour made the most appearances as a substitute with 15 The team scored a total of 76 goals in all competitions The highest scorer was Wright with 30 goals followed by Bergkamp who scored 14 goals Four Arsenal players were sent off during the season Wright Bergkamp Bould and Adams KeyNo Squad numberPos Playing positionNat NationalityApps Appearances GK GoalkeeperDF DefenderMF MidfielderFW Forward nbsp Yellow cards nbsp Red cards Numbers in parentheses denote appearances as substitute Players with number struck through and marked left the club during the playing season No Pos Nat Name Premier League FA Cup League Cup UEFA Cup Total DisciplineApps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals nbsp nbsp 1 GK nbsp ENG David Seaman 22 0 2 0 2 0 2 0 28 0 0 02 DF nbsp ENG Lee Dixon 31 1 2 1 0 3 0 1 0 36 1 2 8 03 DF nbsp ENG Nigel Winterburn 38 0 2 0 3 0 2 0 45 0 6 04 MF nbsp FRA Patrick Vieira 30 1 2 3 0 3 0 1 0 37 1 2 12 05 DF nbsp ENG Steve Bould 33 0 3 0 3 0 1 1 0 40 1 0 6 16 DF nbsp ENG Tony Adams 27 1 3 3 0 3 0 1 0 34 1 3 6 27 MF nbsp ENG David Platt 27 1 4 1 0 3 1 2 0 33 1 5 4 08 FW nbsp ENG Ian Wright 30 5 23 1 0 3 5 2 2 36 5 30 11 19 FW nbsp ENG Paul Merson 33 6 3 0 3 1 2 2 40 9 2 010 FW nbsp NED Dennis Bergkamp 28 1 12 2 1 2 1 1 1 33 1 14 5 111 MF nbsp NED Glenn Helder 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 4 0 0 011 FW nbsp FRA Nicolas Anelka 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 0 012 DF nbsp ENG Andy Linighan 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 12 1 0 0 014 DF nbsp ENG Martin Keown 33 1 3 0 3 0 2 0 41 1 8 015 MF nbsp ENG Ray Parlour 17 13 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 21 15 2 8 016 FW nbsp WAL John Hartson 14 5 3 2 1 1 2 0 2 0 18 8 4 0 017 DF nbsp ENG David Hillier 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 018 DF nbsp NIR Steve Morrow 5 9 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 7 11 0 0 019 DF nbsp FRA Remi Garde 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 4 0 2 022 MF nbsp ENG Ian Selley 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 023 FW nbsp SCO Paul Dickov 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 024 GK nbsp ENG John Lukic 15 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 17 0 0 025 DF nbsp SCO Scott Marshall 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 0 1 026 GK nbsp ENG Lee Harper 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 027 FW nbsp ENG Paul Shaw 1 7 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 2 0 028 MF nbsp ENG Stephen Hughes 9 5 1 2 1 0 0 0 0 11 5 2 2 030 DF nbsp ENG Gavin McGowan 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 031 DF nbsp ENG Matthew Rose 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0Source 1 See also edit nbsp English football portal1996 97 in English football List of Arsenal F C seasonsReferences editGeneral 1996 97 calendar Arseweb com Retrieved 26 September 2013 Specific a b c Arsenal first team line up 1996 97 The Arsenal History Retrieved 19 March 2013 Note Information is in the section 1996 97 Attendances of friendlies not taken into account in average James Josh 18 June 2013 All time Arsenal Arsenal F C Archived from the original on 22 June 2023 Retrieved 22 June 2023 Ross James Heneghan Michael Orford Stuart Culliton Eoin 25 August 2016 English Clubs Divisional Movements 1888 2016 Rec Sport Soccer Statistics Foundation Archived from the original on 22 June 2023 Retrieved 22 June 2023 Hart Michael 8 June 1995 Rioch named Arsenal boss Evening Standard London p 72 Sharma Shiv 2 July 1995 Soccer stars on the move The Guardian Weekly London p 31 Tanner Richard 26 October 1995 I ve got Wright on my side Daily Mirror London p 40 Arsenal fear the power of Fowler The Independent London 1 May 1996 p 27 Chesshyre Tom 6 May 1996 Bergkamp sends Arsenal into Europe The Independent London p S6 Pass notes no 868 Bruce Rioch The Guardian London 13 August 1996 p T3 Kempson Russell 13 August 1996 Rioch s reign brought to sudden end The Times London p 48 Thorpe Martin 13 August 1996 Arsenal ditch Rioch and look abroad The Guardian London p 22 Hughes Rob 13 August 1996 Cruyff appears Arsenal s likely target The Times London p 48 a b Moore Glenn 17 September 1996 Wenger confirmed as Arsenal manager The Independent London p 48 Valur Gislason Soccerbase Retrieved 7 May 2013 John Lukic rejoins Arsenal Daily Mirror London 27 July 1996 p 31 a b Hughes Rob 15 August 1996 Arsenal sign two but wait for Wenger The Times London p 44 Bates Steve 23 February 1997 Nicky s nicked The People London p 60 Ball invests 1m in Dickov The Guardian London 24 August 1996 p 20 It s just Barmby money Waikato Times Hamilton 1 November 1996 p 13 Dalglish joins Rangers Evening Standard London 1 November 1996 p 67 Duxbury Nick 15 February 1997 West Ham capture Hartson for pounds 5m The Independent London p 32 Foreigners welcome says Perry The Guardian London 22 January 1997 p 20 Hammer Lomas Evening Standard London 27 March 1997 p 80 Hughes Rob 14 October 1996 Wright tightens Blackburn noose The Times London p 27 a b Lawrence Amy 18 August 1996 Hartson hits the hammers hard The Observer London p B3 Walker Michael 20 August 1996 Mcmanaman makes merry The Guardian London p 24 Craigie Philip 25 August 1996 Arsenal find there is still no substitute for Wright The Sunday Times London p 42 Hughes Rob 5 September 1996 Chelsea s imports fully taxed The Times London p 25 Thorpe Martin 9 September 1996 Villa s time will come The Guardian London p 23 a b Moore Glenn 17 September 1996 Wright s hat trick lifts the gloom The Independent London p 23 Walker Michael 22 September 1996 Gunners are on the mark The Observer London p B3 Ridley Ian 29 September 1996 Arsenal cut through red sea The Independent on Sunday London p 32 Morrison Ivan 13 October 1996 Shearer strikes for the summit Scotland on Sunday Edinburgh p 31 Jones Ken 21 October 1996 Wenger s rude introduction to English game The Independent London Archived from the original on 1 May 2022 Retrieved 23 April 2013 Hughes Rob 28 October 1996 Graham makes unhappy return The Times London p 30 English Premier League table 28 10 1996 Statto Organisation Archived from the original on 23 October 2015 Retrieved 10 July 2013 a b Lawrence Amy 3 November 1996 Fighting cocks of the South The Observer London p B3 Lacey David 18 November 1996 United find volumes of confidence The Guardian London p 24 Lawrence Ken 17 November 1996 Sea sick Wenger News of the World London p 84 Lacey David 23 November 1996 Beauty is any kind of goal against Spurs says Wenger The Guardian London p 10 a b Lacey David 25 November 1996 Gunners late salvo destroys Spurs The Guardian London p 24 Barnes Simon 2 December 1996 Newcastle toppled by Arsenal united The Times London p 1 Glanville Brian 5 December 1996 Arsenal give themselves room at top The Times London p 44 Thomas Russell 9 November 1996 Adams acts part in roving role The Guardian London p 22 Williams Richard 23 December 1996 Pearce s punchline arrives by proxy The Guardian London p 21 Caulkin George 27 December 1996 Arsenal draw small comfort as bad spirits visit the play The Guardian London p B1 Moore Glenn 30 December 1996 Gunners draw on invention The Independent London p S7 Davies Christopher 2 January 1997 Wright reaches scoring milestone for Arsenal The Daily Telegraph London p 35 Walker Michael 13 January 1997 Bergkamp red card catches the mood The Guardian London p 25 Walters Mike 18 January 1997 Wenger Pack in the cards or else Daily Mirror London pp 38 39 Moore Glenn 20 January 1997 Arsenal exploit their stroke of good fortune The Independent London Archived from the original on 1 May 2022 Retrieved 24 April 2013 Lacey David 30 January 1997 Wright strikes Hammers blow The Guardian London p 24 Walker Michael 3 February 1997 Graham s fingerprints all over stalemate The Guardian London p 24 Hey Stan 16 February 1997 Lukic to rescue The Independent London Archived from the original on 1 May 2022 Retrieved 24 April 2013 a b c Lacey David 20 February 1997 Wright in trouble as United pull away The Guardian London p 26 Harris Harry 27 February 1997 Wright to end feud Daily Mirror London pp 44 40 Peace breaks out in Wright feud The Independent London 11 April 1997 p 30 Lacey David 24 February 1997 Jones keeps Wimbledon on course Highbury gloom as Wenger gives up on the title chase The Guardian London p 24 English Premier League table 26 02 1997 Statto Organisation Archived from the original on 4 March 2016 Retrieved 12 July 2013 Manson David 24 April 2013 Quotations from the Public Comments of Arsene Wenger Manager Arsenal Virgin Books ISBN 0 7535 1056 1 Chadband Ian 2 March 1997 Arsenal get it Wright at last The Sunday Times London p 40 Thomas Russell 10 March 1997 Bergkamp shows stomach for renewed fight The Guardian London p 24 Thorpe Martin 17 March 1997 Wenger s weakened team show strength and spirit The Guardian London p 24 a b Hughes Rob 25 March 1997 Liverpool finish off Arsenal The Times London p 52 Holt Oliver 7 April 1997 Wright dismisses Chelsea on the nod The Times London p 28 Glanville Brian 14 April 1997 Secondary qualities fit in with thinking of Wenger The Times London p 31 Ridley Ian 14 April 1997 Adams keeps Arsenal s title dream alive The Independent on Sunday London p 26 a b c Connolly Kevin 20 April 1997 Gunners hit by Sutton s loss of spirit The Sunday Times London p 68 a b Holt Oliver 22 April 1997 Arsenal s guns spiked by Coventry The Times London p 56 Lacey David 5 May 1997 Dalglish cuts dash and turns on the dour power The Guardian London p A2 Jones Ed 12 May 1997 Adams off but Baseball party goals on The Guardian London p A2 Premier League 1996 97 Statto Organisation Archived from the original on 6 July 2013 Retrieved 21 June 2013 Arsenal 1996 97 Statto Organisation Archived from the original on 2 July 2013 Retrieved 21 June 2013 Ridley Ian 5 January 1997 Arsenal miss Wright balance The Independent London p 30 a b c Lacey David 16 January 1997 Bergkamp gem silences Roker The Guardian London p 22 Lacey David 5 February 1997 Graham still master of Highbury The Guardian London p 22 Draw leads Villa to Elland Road The Times London 26 September 1996 p 30 Hughes Rob 24 October 1996 Wright delivers rough justice The Times London p 33 Glanville Brian 14 November 1996 Wright opens floodgates for Arsenal The Times London p 33 a b Hart Michael 28 November 1996 Wenger s men have mountain to climb Evening Standard London p 28 Kempson Russell 30 August 1996 Arsenal wait for news of German destination The Times London p 29 a b c d e Thorpe Martin 11 September 1996 Arsenal fall short of normal virtues The Guardian London p 20 a b c d e f Whyte Derrick 26 September 1996 Arsenal s dreams are ended by Juskowiak The Independent London p 28 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 1996 97 Arsenal F C season amp oldid 1177082539, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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