Source: TheGuardian
When Arsenal beat Tottenham at White Hart Lane ‘with six reserves’
Faced with five games in 11 days, Arsenal asked Spurs to move the derby. Spurs refused – and Arsenal beat them anywayBy Steven Pye for That 1980s Sports BlogSquad rotation is now a common feature of top-flight football but it wasn’t always this way. There are various tales from the distant past of marathon seasons, where tiny squads racked up game after game, many of them cup replays, as players were worn down and exhausted by the quantity of matches. Arsenal’s season in 1979-80 is a prime example. Their small squad played 70 matches, taking in the Charity Shield, First Division, League Cup, FA Cup and Cup Winners’ Cup. The schedule was relentless.Terry Neill and his players contested 10 matches in April alone as their quest for domestic and European glory took on a slightly masochistic flavour. Beating Liverpool and Juventus in cup semi-finals was hard enough but, to add an extra challenge, Arsenal were also trying to finish in the top three to qualify for the Uefa Cup. Continue reading......read full article
