Arsenal were the best team in the country in 1998 but needed a replay and penalties to beat second-tier Port Vale
As Arsenal prepare to take on Port Vale in the League Cup third round on Wednesday night, fans making their way from London to Stoke-on-Trent will be hoping history can repeat itself. Twenty-seven years ago Arsenal supporters – including this writer – made the same journey at the start of a cup run that would end in celebrations. But the Wembley sunshine seemed a million miles away in January 1998.
The first of Arsène Wenger’s seven FA Cups as Arsenal manager was far from straightforward. In all, Arsenal played nine matches on their way to lifting the trophy, a run that involved three replays, two penalty shootouts and narrow victories over second-tier teams. The third round tie against Port Vale was a microcosm of Arsenal’s road to Wembley.
Continue reading…Arsenal were the best team in the country in 1998 but needed a replay and penalties to beat second-tier Port ValeBy That 1980s Sports BlogAs Arsenal prepare to take on Port Vale in the League Cup third round on Wednesday night, fans making their way from London to Stoke-on-Trent will be hoping history can repeat itself. Twenty-seven years ago Arsenal supporters – including this writer – made the same journey at the start of a cup run that would end in celebrations. But the Wembley sunshine seemed a million miles away in January 1998.The first of Arsène Wenger’s seven FA Cups as Arsenal manager was far from straightforward. In all, Arsenal played nine matches on their way to lifting the trophy, a run that involved three replays, two penalty shootouts and narrow victories over second-tier teams. The third round tie against Port Vale was a microcosm of Arsenal’s road to Wembley. Continue reading…
