1984–85 Arsenal F.C. season

99th season in existence of Arsenal F.C.

Arsenal F.C. 1984–85 football season

Arsenal F.C.

1984–85 season

Manager

Don Howe

FA Cup

League Cup

Top goalscorer

League:
Ian Allinson
Brian Talbot
Tony Woodcock
(10 each)
All:
Tony Woodcock
(13 goals)

Home colours

Away colours

← 1983–84

1985–86 →

The 1984–85 season was Arsenal Football Club's 59th consecutive season in the top flight of English football.^[1]^[2] After a promising start to the season, they slipped to seventh in the Football League First Division.

After the previous season's League Cup exit to Walsall, Arsenal once-again exited cup competition to lower-division opponents. The team lost to second-division Oxford United in the League Cup and third-division York City in the FA Cup.

Viv Anderson was one important addition to the squad, strengthening their defense when he joined Arsenal for £250,000.^[3] 18-year old Tony Adams made sixteen league appearances after his debut the previous season.^[4]

Midway through the season, Pat Jennings was replaced by John Lukic as the first choice keeper.

Season summary

Arsenal's start to the 1984/85 season had been relatively promising, with eight wins in the first eleven league matches. Don Howe had taken over from Terry Neill in December 1983 and results had improved. At the end of October 1984 saw Arsenal looking like a team that could challenge for the title; they had reclaimed their place at the top of Division One. However, that good form soon dipped. After a 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford, Arsenal slowly began to fall. The season overall was a disappointment.

Some decent league performances were undermined by a complete lack of consistency, and two embarrassing cup exits, to Second Division Oxford United in the League Cup, and Third Division York City in the FA Cup.^[5]^[6] York City's victory over Arsenal in the fourth round, still resonates as one of the competition's big shocks. A star-studded Arsenal-side, put together at a cost of more than £4.5 million and featuring eight internationals, arrived at Bootham Crescent on January 26, 1985. But on a snow-bound day in York, Arsenal met their match against a heroic side that defied the odds to record a 1–0 victory, with a last minute penalty by Keith Houchen.^[7]^[8]

1984-85 was Pat Jennings final season in his long and illustrious career. Arsenal played Oxford United away in the League Cup on Halloween night 1984 and Arsenal and Jennings in particular, had a real horror show. Arsenal were beaten 3-2 and they were out the competition. John Lukic played the next game, before Jennings returned to the side for three more games. The last being up at Hillsborough, against Sheffield Wednesday on 25 November 1984. Lukic returned to the side against Luton Town 1 December 1984, and Jennings never played for Arsenal again.^[9] Jennings played in a farewell match against Tottenham Hotspur 8 May 1985 at Highbury.

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	GK	ENG	John Lukic
—	DF	ENG	Viv Anderson
—	DF	ENG	Kenny Sansom
—	MF	ENG	Brian Talbot
—	DF	IRL	David O'Leary
—	DF	ENG	Tommy Caton
—	MF	ENG	Stewart Robson
—	MF	ENG	Paul Davis
—	FW	ENG	Paul Mariner
—	FW	ENG	Tony Woodcock
—	FW	SCO	Charlie Nicholas


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	MF	ENG	Ian Allinson
—	MF	ENG	Graham Rix
—	DF	ENG	Tony Adams
—	GK	NIR	Pat Jennings
—	MF	ENG	Steve Williams
—	FW	ENG	Raphael Meade
—	DF	NIR	Colin Hill

Results

First Division

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
5	Southampton^[a]	42	19	11	12	56	47	+9	68	Disqualified from the UEFA Cup^[10]
6	Chelsea	42	18	12	12	63	48	+15	66
7	Arsenal	42	19	9	14	61	49	+12	66
8	Sheffield Wednesday	42	17	14	11	58	45	+13	65
9	Nottingham Forest	42	19	7	16	56	48	+8	64

Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored
Notes:

^ Since the FA Cup winners, Manchester United, would have qualified for the UEFA Cup based on league position, this would have been passed down to the next best-placed team, Southampton.

Arsenal v Chelsea

25 August 1984 1	Arsenal	1–1	Chelsea	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

29 August 1984 2	Nottingham Forest	2–0	Arsenal	Nottingham
				Stadium: City Ground

Watford v Arsenal

1 September 1984 3	Watford	3–4	Arsenal	Watford
				Stadium: Vicarge Road

Arsenal v Newcastle United

4 September 1984 4	Arsenal	2–0	Newcastle United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Liverpool

8 September 1984 5	Arsenal	3–1	Liverpool	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Ipswich Town v Arsenal

15 September 1984 6	Ipswich Town	2–1	Arsenal	Ipswich
				Stadium: Portman Road

Arsenal v Stoke City

22 September 1984 7	Arsenal	4–0	Stoke City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Coventry City v Arsenal

29 September 1984 8	Coventry City	1–2	Arsenal	Coventry
				Stadium: Highfield Road

Arsenal v Everton

6 October 1984 9	Arsenal	1–0	Everton	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Leicester City v Arsenal

13 October 1984 10	Leicester City	1–4	Arsenal	Leicester
				Stadium: Filbert Street

Arsenal v Sunderland

20 October 1984 11	Arsenal	3–2	Sunderland	London
				Stadium: Highbury

West Ham United v Arsenal

27 October 1984 12	West Ham United	3–1	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: Upton Park

Manchester United v Arsenal

2 November 1984 13	Manchester United	4–2	Arsenal	Manchester
				Stadium: Old Trafford

Arsenal v Aston Villa

10 November 1984 14	Arsenal	1–1	Aston Villa	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Queen's Park Rangers

17 November 1984 15	Arsenal	1–0	Queen's Park Rangers	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Sheffield Wednesday v Arsenal

25 November 1984 16	Sheffield Wednesday	2–1	Arsenal	Sheffield
				Stadium: Hillsborough

Arsenal v Luton Town

1 December 1984 17	Arsenal	3–1	Luton Town	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Southampton v Arsenal

8 November 1984 18	Southampton	1–0	Arsenal	Southampton
				Stadium: The Dell

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion

15 December 1984 19	Arsenal	4–0	West Bromwich Albion	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Watford

22 December 1984 20	Arsenal	1–1	Watford	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Norwich City v Arsenal

26 December 1984 21	Norwich City	1–0	Arsenal	Norwich
				Stadium: Carrow Road

Newcastle United v Arsenal

29 December 1984 22	Newcastle United	1–3	Arsenal	Newcastle
				Stadium: St James' Park

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

1 January 1985 23	Arsenal	1–2	Tottenham Hotspur	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Chelsea v Arsenal

19 January 1985 24	Chelsea	1–1	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: Stamford Bridge

Arsenal v Coventry City

2 February 1985 25	Arsenal	2–1	Coventry City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Liverpool v Arsenal

12 February 1985 26	Liverpool	3–0	Arsenal	Liverpool
				Stadium: Anfield

Arsenal v Manchester United

23 February 1985 27	Arsenal	0–1	Manchester United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v West Ham United

2 March 1985 28	Arsenal	2–1	West Ham United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Sunderland v Arsenal

9 March 1985 29	Sunderland	0–0	Arsenal	Sunderland
				Stadium: Roker Park

Aston Villa v Arsenal

13 March 1985 30	Aston Villa	0–0	Arsenal	Birmingham
				Stadium: Villa Park

Arsenal v Leicester City

16 March 1985 31	Arsenal	2–0	Leicester City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Ipswich Town

19 March 1985 32	Arsenal	1–1	Ipswich Town	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Everton v Arsenal

23 March 1985 33	Everton	2–0	Arsenal	Liverpool
				Stadium: Goodison Park

Stoke City v Arsenal

30 March 1985 34	Stoke City	2–0	Arsenal	Stoke
				Stadium: Victoria Ground

Arsenal v Norwich City

6 April 1985 35	Arsenal	2–0	Norwich City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest

13 April 1985 36	Arsenal	1–1	Nottingham Forest	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

17 April 1985 37	Tottenham Hotspur	0–2	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: White Hart Lane

Queen's Park Rangers v Arsenal

20 April 1985 38	Queen's Park Rangers	1–0	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: Loftus Road

Arsenal v Sheffield Wednesday

27 April 1985 39	Arsenal	1–0	Sheffield Wednesday	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Luton Town v Arsenal

4 May 1985 40	Luton Town	3–1	Arsenal	Luton
				Stadium: Kenilworth Road

Arsenal v Southampton

6 May 1985 41	Arsenal	1–0	Southampton	London
				Stadium: Highbury

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

11 May 1985 42	West Bromwich Albion	2–2	Arsenal	West Bromwich
				Stadium: The Hawthorns

Football League Cup

Arsenal v Bristol Rovers

25 September 1984 Second round (1st Leg)	Arsenal	4–0	Bristol Rovers	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Bristol Rovers v Arsenal

9 October 1984 Second round (2nd Leg)	Bristol Rovers	1–1 (1–5 agg.)	Arsenal	Bristol
				Stadium: Eastville Stadium

Oxford United v Arsenal

31 October 1984 Third round	Oxford United	3–2	Arsenal	Oxford
				Stadium: Manor Ground, Oxford

FA Cup

Arsenal entered the FA Cup in the third round proper, in which they were drawn to face Hereford United.

Hereford United v Arsenal

5 January 1985 Third round	Hereford United	1–1	Arsenal	Hereford
	Price 34'		Woodcock 23'	Stadium: Edgar Street

Arsenal v Hereford United

22 January 1985 Third round replay	Arsenal	7–2	Hereford United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

York City v Arsenal

26 January 1985 Fourth round	York City	1–0	Arsenal	York
	Houchen 89' (pen.)			Stadium: Bootham Crescent

Top scorers

First Division

References

^ James, Josh (18 June 2013). "All-time Arsenal". Arsenal F.C. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
^ Ross, James; Heneghan, Michael; Orford, Stuart; Culliton, Eoin (25 August 2016). "English Clubs Divisional Movements 1888–2016". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 June 2023. Retrieved 22 June 2023.
^ "Viv Anderson". Arsenal. Archived from the original on 3 March 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
^ "Arsenal First-Team Line Ups". The Arsenal History. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
^ James, Josh (2008). Arsenal: The Complete Record. deCoubertin Books.
^ Spurling, Jon (2001). All Guns Blazing: Arsenal in the 1980's. Aureus Publishing.
^ "bbcsport". 1 April 2022.
^ "yorkcitysouth". 1 April 2022.
^ Gary Lawrence Gunnerstown 2017.
^ English teams were banned by UEFA from its competitions from the season 1985–86 on until the season 1990–91 because of the Heysel Disaster in 1985, involving Liverpool fans.

External links

Arsenal 1984–85 on statto.com

v t e Arsenal F.C. seasons
Royal Arsenal F.C.	1886–87 1887–88 1888–89 1889–90 1890–91 1891–92 1892–93
Woolwich Arsenal F.C.	1893–94 1894–95 1895–96 1896–97 1897–98 1898–99 1899–1900 1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14
Arsenal F.C.	1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24

1984–85 in English football

« 1983–84

1985–86 »

National teams

League competitions

Levels 1–4	Football League (First Division, Second Division, Third Division, Fourth Division)
Level 5	Alliance Premier League
Levels 6–7	Isthmian League (Premier, One) Northern Premier League (level 6 only) Southern League (Premier, Midland, Southern)
Levels 8–9	Isthmian League (Two North, Two South) Combined Counties League (level 8 only) Eastern Counties League (level 8 only) Essex Senior League (level 8 only) Hellenic League (Premier, One) Kent League (level 8 only) London Spartan League (Premier, Senior) Midland Football Combination (level 8 only) North West Counties League (One, Two) Northern Counties East League (Premier, One North, One Central, One South ) Northern League (One, Two) South Midlands League (Premier, One) Sussex County League (One, Two) United Counties League (Premier, One) West Midlands (Regional) League (level 8 only) Western League (Premier, One)

Cup competitions

FA cups	FA Cup (qualifying rounds, final) Charity Shield FA Trophy (final)
Football League cups	League Cup (final) Associate Members' Cup (final)

European competitions

Other

Club seasons
First Division	Arsenal Aston Villa Chelsea Coventry City Everton Ipswich Town Leicester City Liverpool Luton Town Manchester United Newcastle United Norwich City Nottingham Forest Queens Park Rangers Sheffield Wednesday Southampton Stoke City Sunderland Tottenham Hotspur Watford West Bromwich Albion West Ham United
Second Division	Barnsley Birmingham City Blackburn Rovers Brighton & Hove Albion Cardiff City Carlisle United Charlton Athletic Crystal Palace Fulham Grimsby Town Huddersfield Town Leeds United Manchester City Middlesbrough Notts County Oldham Athletic Oxford United Portsmouth Sheffield United Shrewsbury Town Wimbledon Wolverhampton Wanderers
Third Division	Bolton Wanderers Bournemouth Bradford City Brentford Bristol City Bristol Rovers Burnley Cambridge United Derby County Doncaster Rovers Gillingham Hull City Lincoln City Millwall Newport County Orient Plymouth Argyle Preston North End Reading Rotherham United Swansea City Walsall Wigan Athletic York City
Fourth Division	Aldershot Blackpool Bury Chester City Chesterfield Colchester United Crewe Alexandra Darlington Exeter City Halifax Town Hartlepool United Hereford United Mansfield Town Northampton Town Peterborough United Port Vale Rochdale Scunthorpe United Southend United Southport Stockport County Swindon Town Torquay United Tranmere Rovers Wrexham