1983/84: Wolves v Arsenal

This is an edited version of my original article that appeared in issue 286 of The Gooner. 

The 1980s may not have been kind to Arsenal fans, but there was a reason to be cheerful as the summer of 1983 progressed. Optimism and anticipation; hopes and expectations; and all because a certain 21-year-old Scottish centre forward had chosen Highbury as his new home.

It was clear to comprehend why Charlie Nicholas was seen as the hottest property in British football. Scoring 48 goals for Celtic in the previous campaign, it was inevitable that the English vultures would circle. Yet his final destination was far less predictable.

With Liverpool and Manchester United reportedly interested in signing Nicholas, it was a pleasant surprise for Arsenal followers when he agreed to join the club for £750,000 in July 1983. After all, the club were hardly flying at the time, and the north west clubs were rightly perceived as the real title contenders.

Immediately the press began to speculate that the bright lights of London had attracted Charlie, and this noise grew in volume when he immediately started to exploit a lot of commercial opportunities away from the pitch. But as the new season neared, Arsenal fans could revel in the fact that here was a signing other clubs could look on with envy.

The hype surrounding Nicholas was suffocating. And the club itself did little to help the situation when on the opening day of the season Nicholas was given his own introduction on to the pitch as the players left the tunnel. Nicholas felt uncomfortable, simply wanting to be part of the team. For a club that has always prided itself on a team ethic – Victoria Concordia Crescit – it seemed a strange move.

The 2-1 win against Luton at Highbury saw Nicholas show glimpses of his ability, yet the brouhaha involving his move to England was still in full swing. “He has the ability to be the best thing to arrive in the First Division since Best,” Harry Miller wrote in the Mirror. “He can be the crowd-pleaser to make Arsenal’s fans finally forget Liam Brady.” No pressure.

In truth, Nicholas was joining an average team, and an inconsistent one that made you want to tear up your Panini sticker album. Yes, he would provide excitement and attract a few more through the gates. But without adding extra quality around him, it was wishful to think that he alone could reverse Arsenal’s fortunes.

At the time, many Arsenal fans would have been all too happy to believe the press that were dangerously building up Nicholas before the obvious knocking down. And when Arsenal visited Wolves on Bank Holiday Monday August 29, the bandwagon started to seriously gain momentum.

Newly promoted, Wolves had managed to hold Liverpool to a 1-1 draw on the opening day of the season, and a trip to Molineux appeared to be the kind of fixture that could trip up Terry Neill’s Arsenal team. Yet as the season developed, it soon became apparent that Wolves were an abysmal team, and a club in meltdown.

Just six wins in their 42 league matches; 27 goals scored; 80 goals conceded; no league wins until November 26. It was a mere appetiser to the horror show that saw the club suffer three consecutive relegations and almost go out of business in the mid-eighties. But at the time, many Arsenal fans travelling to the Midlands would have done so uncertain of returning with three points.

Any such anxieties would have been heightened when Wayne Clarke opened the scoring for the home team in the 3rd minute. But the away fans amongst the 18,571 present would soon see their new signing turn match winner, as Charlie Nicholas seemingly gave everyone an early indication that he could live up to his billing.

In the 25th minute, David O’Leary – recently stripped of the club captaincy – strode out of defence and found Brian McDermott out on the right. McDermott’s cross was swept home by Nicholas from eight yards out, and the Scot was up and running. “It is something of a relief to get the goal,” Nicholas revealed. “They say the first one is always the hardest although, to be honest, I haven't felt that much pressure.”

Arsenal were dominant throughout, with Nicholas in particular enjoying a fine afternoon. Wolves keeper John Burridge was called on to keep his side in the match, denying Nicholas and new captain Graham Rix, with the woodwork also saving the home team. Nicholas probed throughout, running at a clearly worried Wolves defence and at the heart of all that was good for Arsenal.

Despite the dominance, Wolves almost snatched the lead when Clarke struck the post as the match drew to an end. But just a few minutes later, Nicholas would have the final say. Driving into the penalty area, Burridge brought down the Scot, and the new hero of the Arsenal faithful slotted home the penalty for a second 2-1 win in the season.

The press simply could not get enough of the new star. Labelled Bonnie Prince Charlie, the striker dominated the headlines. “Charlie Nicholas led Arsenal to dazzling victory yesterday - and threatens to dominate the First Division in the same way,” John Wragg wrote in the Express. He was not alone in his slightly premature assessment.

“I’ve done all the things off the pitch and it's nice to do some talking on the field,” Nicholas stated, in a slight dig at those who had criticised his off-field commitments. “I’m confident that for Arsenal, and myself, things can only get better and better. I’m interested to see how things work out when we play Manchester United and Liverpool.”

Nicholas would soon get his wish. After a 1-0 defeat away at Southampton, home defeats followed against the two other clubs that Nicholas had been linked to in the summer. The young striker was about to discover that journalists could be as tough as some of the defenders facing him in the English First Division.

“Nicholas must wonder today whether he might have been wiser moving to Manchester instead,” Steve Curry wrote in the Express after the United defeat, and soon those who had been singing his praises were now questioning the abilities of Neill’s star signing. There were choppy seas ahead.

Ultimately, Arsenal’s manager would pay the price for the inconsistency of Nicholas and his teammates. Beating Tottenham away in the Milk Cup (a match in which Nicholas scored) and then losing at home to Walsall in the next round; there in a nutshell was the issue with Neill’s teams post-Brady and Stapleton. Neill would be gone by Christmas.

All this looked a long way off after the initial buzz of Nicholas’ first two matches, and in particular, the win at Wolves. Sadly, Nicholas would soon understand that there was a gulf in class between the likes of Luton and Wolves in comparison to Manchester United and Liverpool.

But that honeymoon period, although far too brief, was glorious for the Arsenal faithful. A time of great excitement, anticipation, and pride that the club had signed a genuine talent. Admittedly, his form matched that of the team and Nicholas would not score again in the league until Boxing Day. But the fact that his next goals were in a 4-2 win over Tottenham only confirmed his status as a hero to those desperate for something to cling on to.