| 1996–97 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Peter Hill-Wood | ||
| Manager | Stewart Houston (caretaker until 12 September) Pat Rice (caretaker until 30 September) Arsène Wenger | ||
| Stadium | Highbury | ||
| FA Premier League | 3rd | ||
| FA Cup | Fourth round | ||
| Football League Cup | Fourth round | ||
| UEFA Cup | First round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Ian Wright (23) All: Ian Wright (30) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 38,269 vsNewcastle United (3 May 1997) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 33,461 vsSheffield Wednesday (16 September 1996) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 37,056[1] | ||
The1996–97 season wasArsenal Football Club's fifth season in theFA Premier League and their71st consecutive season in the top flight of English football.[2][3] The club dismissed managerBruce Rioch in the close season, who spent a year in-charge. After much speculation, FrenchmanArsène 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 onUEFA Champions League qualification. They made exits in the fourth round of both theFA Cup andFootball League Cup toLeeds United andLiverpool respectively. In Europe, the club were eliminated in theUEFA Cup first round toBorussia Mönchengladbach of Germany.
Arsenal sold several fringe players in thetransfer window, notablyDavid Hillier toPortsmouth andPaul Dickov toManchester City. MidfieldersRémi Garde andPatrick Vieira were purchased fromRC Strasbourg andMilan respectively.John Hartson moved toWest Ham United in January 1997; he was replaced in the squad by teenagerNicolas Anelka, who joined Arsenal a month later fromParis 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 toNewcastle United in the penultimate game of the season all but ended Arsenal's chances of finishing second, given Newcastle's superiorgoal difference. A win on the final day againstDerby 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.
In June 1995, Arsenal appointedBruce Rioch, who had just guidedBolton Wanderers to theLeague Cup final and promotion to the top flight, as manager.[4] Under his stewardship, the club broke the English transfer record by payingInternazionale £7.5million for Dutch strikerDennis Bergkamp and the new signing formed an impressive partnership withIan Wright.[5][6] Arsenal reached the League Cup semi-finals and finished fifth in theFA Premier League at the end of1995–96, securing a place in the following season'sUEFA Cup.[7][8]
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, withPat Rice serving as first team coach.[11]Johan Cruyff was considered the favourite for the job;Terry Venables andDavid 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 sideQueens Park Rangers, leaving Rice as the team's second caretaker manager of the season. Arsenal would eventually select FrenchmanArsène Wenger as their next manager, but did not officially announce his appointment until September 1996, once his contract with Japanese clubNagoya 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]
| 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] |
| 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] |
| 19 July 1996Friendly | St Albans City | 0–6 | Arsenal | St Albans |
Dixon ?',?'Merson ?'Hughes ?'Paul Shaw ?',?' | Stadium:Clarence Park |
| 27 July 1996Friendly | Birmingham City | 1–0 | Arsenal | Birmingham |
| Stadium:St Andrew's Attendance: 11,101 |
| 31 July 1996Friendly | Celtic | 2–1 | Arsenal | Glasgow |
| Dixon ?' | Stadium:Celtic Park Attendance: 47,300 |
| 3 August 1996Richard Gough testimonial | Rangers | 3–0 | Arsenal | Glasgow |
| Stadium:Ibrox Stadium Attendance: 47,300 |
| 7 August 1996Friendly | Fiorentina | 2–0 | Arsenal | Florence |
| Stadium:Stadio Artemio Franchi Attendance: 18,000 |
| 7 August 1996Friendly | Benfica | 3–1 | Arsenal | Florence |
| Stadium:Stadio Artemio Franchi Attendance: 18,000 |
| 10 August 1996John Wark testimonial | Ipswich Town | 1–1 | Arsenal | Ipswich |
| Wright ?' | Stadium:Portman Road Attendance: 13,850 |
| 13 August 1996Friendly | Northampton Town | 3–1 | Arsenal | Northampton |
| Hartson ?' | Stadium:Sixfields Stadium Attendance: 7,478 |
Source:[1]
| The Arsenal team forArsène Wenger's first match as manager, a 2–0 win againstBlackburn Rovers.[24] |
Arsenal began their league campaign on 17 August 1996, at home toWest 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 whenMarc Rieper handledLee Dixon's cross; Bergkamp, in the absence of designated penalty taker Wright, struck the ball low toLuděk 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 atLeicester City in a game where Wright started as a substitute but scored the decisive goal.[27] A 3–3 draw withChelsea 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 againstAston 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 againstSheffield Wednesday on 16 September 1996, to record 100 league goals for Arsenal.[30] The game marked the debut ofPatrick Vieira, who came on as a substitute forRay Parlour.[30] Goals by Hartson and Wright earned the team victory againstMiddlesbrough,[31] then the team won a third consecutive match – at home toSunderland – to draw level on points with league leaders Liverpool.[32]
Wenger's first match in charge of Arsenal was against winlessBlackburn 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 toCoventry City was marred by an incident involving Wright and Coventry goalkeeperSteve Ogrizovic that resulted in the latter having a broken nose.[34] October concluded with a home fixture againstLeeds United; a 3–0 win for Arsenal marked defeat for former managerGeorge Graham, who made his managerial return to Highbury.[35] The team ended the month joint top of the table withNewcastle United, both on 24 points having played 11 games.[36]
Arsenal's first fixture of November was againstWimbledon. Wright gave Arsenal the lead after six minutes, only forVinnie Jones to head in the equaliser close to half-time.[37] Merson scored Arsenal's second, butMarcus Gayle replied immediately, "bund[ling] the ball past(David) Seaman".[37] An own goal byNigel Winterburn againstManchester United ended the champions' run of three matches without a win and extended a barren run of Arsenal failing to score atOld 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 theNorth London derby, where Arsenal facedTottenham 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 toAndy 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 markerStephen 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 toSouthampton in early December.[43] AgainstDerby County, Vieira scored his first goal for the club to earn Arsenal a point.[44] The team then facedNottingham Forest, which markedStuart 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 overEverton on 19 January 1997; the result kept them three points behind top spot with a game in hand.[51] AtUpton 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 goalkeeperPeter 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]
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.
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; midfieldersStephen Hughes andPaul 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 strikerRobbie 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 toJason 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 breakingCliff 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 strikerChris 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 theBaseball 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]
| 17 August 19961 | Arsenal | 2–0 | West Ham United | London |
| 15:00BST | Hartson 27' Bergkamp 40' (pen.) | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,056 Referee:Paul Durkin |
| 19 August 19962 | Liverpool | 2–0 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| 20:00BST | McManaman 68',74' | Stadium:Anfield Attendance: 38,103 Referee:Gary Willard |
| 24 August 19963 | Leicester City | 0–2 | Arsenal | Leicester |
| 15:00BST | 27' (pen.)Bergkamp 90'Wright | Stadium:Filbert Street Attendance: 20,429 Referee:Graham Barber |
| 4 September 19964 | Arsenal | 3–3 | Chelsea | London |
| 19:45BST | Merson 44' Keown 64'Wright 77' | 6' (pen.)Leboeuf 30'Vialli 90'Wise | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,132 Referee:Keith Burge |
| 7 September 19965 | Aston Villa | 2–2 | Arsenal | Birmingham |
| 15:00BST | Milošević 39',63' | 70'Merson 90'Linighan | Stadium:Villa Park Attendance: 37,944 Referee:Mike Riley |
| 16 September 19966 | Arsenal | 4–1 | Sheffield Wednesday | London |
| 20:00BST | Platt 57' Wright 61' (pen.),78',89' | 25'Booth | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 33,461 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 21 September 19967 | Middlesbrough | 0–2 | Arsenal | Middlesbrough |
| 15:00BST | 3'Hartson 27'Wright | Stadium:Riverside Stadium Attendance: 29,629 Referee:Martin Bodenham |
| 28 September 19968 | Arsenal | 2–0 | Sunderland | London |
| 15:00BST | Hartson 73' Parlour 88' | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,016 Referee:Paul Danson |
| 12 October 19969 | Blackburn Rovers | 0–2 | Arsenal | Blackburn |
| 15:00BST | 3',51'Wright | Stadium:Ewood Park Attendance: 24,303 Referee:Steve Dunn |
| 19 October 199610 | Arsenal | 0–0 | Coventry City | London |
| 15:00BST | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,140 Referee:Peter Jones |
| 26 October 199611 | Arsenal | 3–0 | Leeds United | London |
| 15:00BST | Dixon 1' Bergkamp 5'Wright 56' | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,076 Referee:Alan Wilkie |
| 2 November 199612 | Wimbledon | 2–2 | Arsenal | London |
| 15:00GMT | Jones 44' Gayle 67' | 6'Wright 64'Merson | Stadium:Selhurst Park Attendance: 25,521 Referee:Paul Alcock |
| 16 November 199613 | Manchester United | 1–0 | Arsenal | Manchester |
| 15:00GMT | Winterburn 63' (o.g.) | Stadium:Old Trafford Attendance: 55,210 Referee:Graham Poll |
| 24 November 199614 | Arsenal | 3–1 | Tottenham Hotspur | London |
| 16:00GMT | Wright 28' (pen.) Adams 88'Bergkamp 90' | 57'Sinton | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,264 Referee:David Elleray |
| 30 November 199615 | Newcastle United | 1–2 | Arsenal | Newcastle upon Tyne |
| 15:00GMT | Shearer 21' | 11'Dixon 60'Wright | Stadium:St James' Park Attendance: 36,565 Referee:Graham Barber |
| 4 December 199616 | Arsenal | 3–1 | Southampton | London |
| 19:45GMT | Merson 43' Wright 57' (pen.)Shaw 89' | 81'Berkovic | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,033 Referee:Peter Jones |
| 7 December 199617 | Arsenal | 2–2 | Derby County | London |
| 15:00GMT | Adams 45' Vieira 90' | 62'Sturridge 71'Powell | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,018 Referee:Martin Bodenham |
| 21 December 199618 | Nottingham Forest | 2–1 | Arsenal | Nottingham |
| 15:00GMT | Haaland 67',89' | 63'Wright | Stadium:City Ground Attendance: 27,384 Referee:Stephen Lodge |
| 26 December 199619 | Sheffield Wednesday | 0–0 | Arsenal | Sheffield |
| 17:45GMT | Stadium:Hillsborough Attendance: 23,245 Referee:Roger Dilkes |
| 28 December 199620 | Arsenal | 2–2 | Aston Villa | London |
| 15:00GMT | Wright 13' Merson 73' | 68'Milošević 74'Yorke | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,130 Referee:Jeff Winter |
| 1 January 199721 | Arsenal | 2–0 | Middlesbrough | London |
| 15:00GMT | Bergkamp 15' Wright 44' | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 37,573 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 11 January 199722 | Sunderland | 1–0 | Arsenal | Sunderland |
| 15:00GMT | Adams 66' (o.g.) | Stadium:Roker Park Attendance: 21,154 Referee:Mike Riley |
| 19 January 199723 | Arsenal | 3–1 | Everton | London |
| 16:00GMT | Bergkamp 55' Vieira 57'Merson 69' | 90'Ferguson | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,095 Referee:Keith Burge |
| 29 January 199724 | West Ham United | 1–2 | Arsenal | London |
| 19:45GMT | Rose 63' (o.g.) | 8'Parlour 67'Wright | Stadium:Boleyn Ground Attendance: 24,382 Referee:Martin Bodenham |
| 1 February 199725 | Leeds United | 0–0 | Arsenal | Leeds |
| 15:00GMT | Stadium:Elland Road Attendance: 35,502 Referee:David Elleray |
| 15 February 199726 | Tottenham Hotspur | 0–0 | Arsenal | London |
| 15:00GMT | Stadium:White Hart Lane Attendance: 33,039 Referee:Graham Poll |
| 19 February 199727 | Arsenal | 1–2 | Manchester United | London |
| 20:00GMT | Bergkamp 69' | 18'A. Cole 32'Solskjær | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,172 Referee:Martin Bodenham |
| 23 February 199728 | Arsenal | 0–1 | Wimbledon | London |
| 16:00GMT | 21'Jones | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 37,854 Referee:Peter Jones |
| 1 March 199729 | Everton | 0–2 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| 15:00GMT | 21'Bergkamp 27'Wright | Stadium:Goodison Park Attendance: 36,980 Referee:Paul Danson |
| 8 March 199730 | Arsenal | 2–0 | Nottingham Forest | London |
| 15:00GMT | Bergkamp 50',79' (pen.) | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,206 Referee: Mike Reed |
| 15 March 199731 | Southampton | 0–2 | Arsenal | Southampton |
| 15:00GMT | 41'Hughes 72'Shaw | Stadium:The Dell Attendance: 15,144 Referee:Jeff Winter |
| 24 March 199732 | Arsenal | 1–2 | Liverpool | London |
| 20:00GMT | Wright 78' | 50'Collymore 65'McAteer | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,068 Referee:Gerald Ashby |
| 5 April 199733 | Chelsea | 0–3 | Arsenal | London |
| 11:15BST | 22'Wright 53'Platt 80'Bergkamp | Stadium:Stamford Bridge Attendance: 28,182 Referee:Roger Dilkes |
| 12 April 199734 | Arsenal | 2–0 | Leicester City | London |
| 15:00BST | Adams 35' Platt 66' | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,044 Referee:Stephen Lodge |
| 19 April 199735 | Arsenal | 1–1 | Blackburn Rovers | London |
| 15:00BST | Platt 18' | 89'Flitcroft | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,086 Referee:Mike Riley |
| 21 April 199736 | Coventry City | 1–1 | Arsenal | Coventry |
| 20:00BST | Dublin 2' | 19' (pen.)Wright | Stadium:Highfield Road Attendance: 19,998 Referee:Keith Burge |
| 3 May 199737 | Arsenal | 0–1 | Newcastle United | London |
| 15:00BST | 44'Elliott | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,179 Referee:Martin Bodenham |
| 11 May 199738 | Derby County | 1–3 | Arsenal | Derby |
| 16:00BST | Ward 9' | 55',90'Wright 82'Bergkamp | Stadium:Baseball Ground Attendance: 18,287 Referee:Paul Durkin |
| 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 theChampions League group stage |
| 2 | Newcastle United | 38 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 73 | 40 | +33 | 68 | Qualification for theChampions League second qualifying round |
| 3 | Arsenal | 38 | 19 | 11 | 8 | 62 | 32 | +30 | 68 | Qualification for theUEFA 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 |
| 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]
| Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ground | H | A | A | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | A | H | H | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | A | A | H | H | A | H | A | H | A | H | H | A | H | A |
| Result | W | L | W | D | D | W | W | W | W | D | W | D | L | W | W | W | D | L | D | D | W | L | W | W | D | D | L | L | W | W | W | L | W | W | D | D | L | W |
| Position | 3 | 7 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Arsenal entered the competition in the third round, by virtue of their Premier League status. Their opening match was a score draw againstSunderland, which highlighted the team's shortcomings in attack, as Wright was out of the side.[74] In the replay staged atRoker 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 goalkeeperLionel 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. StrikerRod Wallace scored the only goal of the match.[76]
| 4 January 1997Third round | Arsenal | 1–1 | Sunderland | London |
| 15:00GMT | Hartson 10' | 20'Gray WilliamsMelville | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 37,793 Referee:Steve Dunn |
| 15 January 1997Third round replay | Sunderland | 0–2 | Arsenal | Sunderland |
| 19:45GMT | 46'Bergkamp 65'Hughes | Stadium:Roker Park Attendance: 15,277 Referee:Steve Dunn |
| 4 February 1997Fourth round | Arsenal | 0–1 | Leeds United | London |
| 19:45GMT | Hughes Merson Hartson | 12'WallaceHalle | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 38,115 Referee:Paul Durkin |
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 DivisionStoke City, on the week of 21 October 1996.[77] The tie ended 1–1 and was subject to a replay; Wright equalised for Arsenal afterMike 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 1996Third round | Stoke City | 1–1 | Arsenal | Stoke-on-Trent |
| 19:45BST | Sheron 26' | 78'WrightHartsonVieiraWinterburn | Stadium:Victoria Ground Attendance: 20,804 Referee:Keith Burge |
| 13 November 1996Third round replay | Arsenal | 5–2 | Stoke City | London |
| 19:45GMT | Wright 41' (pen.),63' Platt 46'Bergkamp 68'Merson 73' | 35',88'Sheron | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 33,961 Referee:Gary Willard |
| 27 November 1996Fourth round | Liverpool | 4–2 | Arsenal | Liverpool |
| 19:45GMT | McManaman 26' Fowler 39' (pen.),52'Berger 72'James | 13' (pen.),68' (pen.)Wright  52'Bould | Stadium:Anfield Attendance: 32,814 Referee:Alan Wilkie |
Arsenal entered theUEFA 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 teamBorussia 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 DutchmanGlenn Helder.[82] Monchengladbach took the lead in the 37th minute, afterPeter Nielsen's forward pass metAndrzej Juskowiak, who slipped the ball past an advancing Seaman.[82] Moments after the second half commenced, the away team doubled their lead: captainStefan 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, butStephan 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 1996First leg | Arsenal | 2–3 | Borussia Mönchengladbach | London |
| 19:45BST | Merson 54' Wright 90' | 37'Juskowiak 47'Effenberg 81'Paßlack | Stadium:Highbury Attendance: 36,900 Referee:Urs Meier |
| 25 September 1996Second leg | Borussia Mönchengladbach | 3–2 (6–4agg.) | Arsenal | Cologne |
| 19:45BST | Juskowiak 23',89' Effenberg 75' | 43'Wright 51'Merson | Stadium:Müngersdorfer Stadion Attendance: 30,000 Referee:Antonio Jesús López Nieto |
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.
No. = Squad number Pos = Playing position Nat. = Nationality Apps = Appearances | GK =Goalkeeper DF =Defender MF =Midfielder FW =Forward |
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Numbers in parentheses denote appearances assubstitute. Players with number struck through and marked † left the club during the playing season.
| No. | Pos. | Nat. | Name | FA 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 |
| 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 |
| DF | ENG | Andy Linighan | 10 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 (1) | 1 | 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 |
| FW |  WAL | John Hartson | 14 (5) | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 (2) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 (8) | 4 | 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG | David Hillier | (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 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]
General
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