Few think the Gunners can get a result in their potential title-decider at the Etihad Stadium, but these matches prove that anything is possible
“If you want to be champions, you have to win these matches. It’s as simple as that.” Those were the words of Mikel Arteta ahead of Arsenal’s huge clash at Manchester City on Wednesday.
The Gunners make the trip to the Etihad Stadium sitting five points clear of City at the top of the Premier League, but Pep Guardiola’s side have two crucial games in hand.
Three successive draws in recent weeks have left Arsenal with no more room for error as they go hunting a first title since 2004.
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So it all adds up to a huge occasion in Manchester, and it’s a game that many believe will decide who will get their hands on the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.
Given the form of both teams, few are giving Arsenal any hope of victory. But the Gunners have had some huge results away from home in their long history that proves that anything is possible when it comes to football.
GOAL takes a look at some of Arsenal’s greatest ever away days…
Getty ImagesAnfield, 1989
Surely the most famous of Arsenal away wins?
Travelling up to Anfield on the final day of the 1988-89 season, George Graham’s side needed to win by two clear goals to be crowned champions. Fail to do so and the title would be Liverpool’s once again.
Few gave Arsenal a chance, especially as they went into the game having lost at home to Derby County and then been held to a 2-2 draw by Wimbledon.
But it was the visitors who came out on top, with Michael Thomas’ dramatic injury-time strike giving them the 2-0 success they required to claim a first league championship since 1971.
This success, more than any other, proves that anything is possible in football.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesOld Trafford, 2002
Arsenal went to Old Trafford in May 2002 as England’s best side. They had just beaten Chelsea to win the FA Cup a few days earlier and knew a win at the home of Manchester United would see them claim the double.
Arsene Wenger’s side got the three points they needed to win the title at the home of their great rivals. Sylvain Wiltord scored the goal that did it, following up from close range after Freddie Ljungberg’s shot had been saved.
It was a win that highlighted Arsenal’s superiority over United at that stage.
GettyWhite Hart Lane, 2004
This may not have been a win, but it was still one of the great Arsenal away days.
Chelsea’s defeat at Newcastle earlier in the day meant that Arsenal needed just a point at Spurs to claim the Premier League title.
They flew into an early 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Patrick Vieira and Robert Pires, and even though they were eventually pegged back for a 2-2 draw, they got the result they needed to be crowned champions at the home of their bitter north London rivals.
Arsenal fans will never forget the celebrations that took place on the pitch at White Hart Lane after the final whistle. Spurs fans probably won’t be able to either…
Getty ImagesOld Trafford, 1998
Arsene Wenger’s side were on a roll when they went to Old Trafford in March 1998 having won four of their last five games in the Premier League.
A title charge, which had looked unlikely just a few weeks earlier, was suddenly on the cards. But only if they could go to the home of the champions and beat them.
And beat them they did, with Marc Overmars racing away to score the only goal of the game in the second half.
It was a victory that gave Arsenal the belief to go on and overcome United in the race for the title.