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First Division

Arsenal 1988/89 Season

Final position: 1st

Arsenal went to Anfield on the last night of the season needing to win by two, and Michael Thomas scored in injury time to take the title off Liverpool on goals scored. Brian Moore's commentary line, "It's up for grabs now!", has outlived most of the football around it.

League Record

Played

38

Won

22

Drawn

10

Lost

6

GF

73

GA

36

Points

76

Cups & Top Scorer

FA Cup

Round 3

League Cup

Round 3

Football League Centenary Trophy

Winners

Top Scorer

Alan Smith (25)

Quick Facts

Where did Arsenal finish in the 1988/89 season?
Arsenal finished 1st in the First Division in 1988/89.
What was Arsenal's record in the 1988/89 season?
In the First Division, Arsenal won 22, drew 10 and lost 6 of 38 games, scoring 73 goals and conceding 36, for 76 points.
Did Arsenal win any trophies in 1988/89?
Yes: Arsenal won the Football League Centenary Trophy in 1988/89.
Who was Arsenal's top scorer in 1988/89?
Alan Smith was Arsenal's top scorer in 1988/89 with 25 goals.

Match by Match

Football League First Division38 matches22W 10D 6L
Arsenal 1988/89 Football League First Division results, match by match
DateOpponentVenueScoreArsenal scorers
27 Aug 1988WimbledonA5–1Marwood, Smith (3), Merson
3 Sep 1988Aston VillaH2–3Marwood, Smith
10 Sep 1988Tottenham HotspurA3–2Winterburn, Marwood, Smith
17 Sep 1988SouthamptonH2–2Marwood (pen), Smith
24 Sep 1988Sheffield WednesdayA1–2Smith
1 Oct 1988West Ham UnitedA4–1
22 Oct 1988Queens Park RangersH2–1
25 Oct 1988Luton TownA1–1Smith
29 Oct 1988Coventry CityH2–0
6 Nov 1988Nottingham ForestA4–1
12 Nov 1988Newcastle UnitedA1–0Bould
19 Nov 1988MiddlesbroughH3–0
26 Nov 1988Derby CountyA1–2Thomas
4 Dec 1988LiverpoolH1–1Smith
10 Dec 1988Norwich CityA0–0
17 Dec 1988Manchester UnitedH2–1
26 Dec 1988Charlton AthleticA3–2
31 Dec 1988Aston VillaA3–0
2 Jan 1989Tottenham HotspurH2–0
14 Jan 1989EvertonA3–1
21 Jan 1989Sheffield WednesdayH1–1Merson
4 Feb 1989West Ham UnitedH2–1
11 Feb 1989MillwallA2–1
18 Feb 1989Queens Park RangersA0–0
21 Feb 1989Coventry CityA0–1
25 Feb 1989Luton TownH2–0
28 Feb 1989MillwallH0–0
11 Mar 1989Nottingham ForestH1–3Smith
21 Mar 1989Charlton AthleticH2–2
25 Mar 1989SouthamptonA3–1
2 Apr 1989Manchester UnitedA1–1Adams
8 Apr 1989EvertonH2–0
15 Apr 1989Newcastle UnitedH1–0Marwood
1 May 1989Norwich CityH5–0
6 May 1989MiddlesbroughA1–0Hayes
13 May 1989Derby CountyH1–2Smith
17 May 1989WimbledonH2–2
26 May 1989LiverpoolA2–0
Football League Centenary Trophy3 matches3W 0D 0L
Arsenal 1988/89 Football League Centenary Trophy results, match by match
DateRoundOpponentVenueScore
31 Aug 1988Quarter-finalQueens Park RangersA2–0
20 Sep 1988Semi-finalLiverpoolH2–1
9 Oct 1988FinalManchester UnitedH2–1
Friendly12 matches11W 1D 0L
Arsenal 1988/89 Friendly results, match by match
DateRoundOpponentVenueScoreArsenal scorers
23 Jul 1988Yeovil TownA5–0
2 Aug 1988ÖrebroA1–1Smith
4 Aug 1988AnundsjöA3–1
9 Aug 1988EnköpingA6–0
13 Aug 1988Wembley Int.TournamentTottenham HotspurH4–0
14 Aug 1988Wembley Int.TournamentBayern MunichH3–0
16 Aug 1988Birmingham CityA4–0
19 Aug 1988Leicester CityA4–1
13 Dec 1988Shrewsbury TownA2–1
25 Jan 1989Somerset Cricket ClubA1–0Hayes
27 Jan 1989Bermuda National XIA4–2
14 Feb 1989FranceH2–0
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