Arsenal’s George Graham

Former Arsenal player George Graham took over from Don Howe as the new club manager in 1986 where he stayed until 1995. He was noted for his many achievements at Millwall and was more than willing to take Arsenal back to their former glory.

Since their FA Cup win in 1978-79 Arsenal had failed to gain any more significant titles. The team was slowly slipping from the top and it was down to Graham to turn things around. In his first season as manager Graham replaced many of the older players with fresh new signings. He demanded a strict regime both on and off the pitch and it was undoubtedly down to these changes than the Scotsman managed to pull Arsenal back up to the top position of the League by Christmas time in the club centenary year.

After Graham’s first season at Highbury, Arsenal finished fourth in the league and in 1987 went on the win the League Cup. But it was in Graham’s third season that Arsenal won the League title, the first time since 1971 and quite a memorable achievement. The team had a strong defence and midfield which was to stand the test of time for the next decade.

After signing legendary goal keeper David Seaman, Graham brought Arsenal another League Title in 1990-91 and reached the FA Cup semi-finals. In 1992, under George Graham’s guidance Arsenal became the first team to win both the FA Cup and League Cup Double.

1994 saw Arsenal win another Cup, that of the Cup Winners Cup but it was to be the last Graham would win as Arsenal’s manager. He was sacked in 1995 for receiving an illegal sum of £425,000 from Norwegian agent Rune Hauge following the clubs 1992 acquisition of John Jensen and Pal Lydersen.