The European Cup Winners' Cup may have become a victim of the Champions League expansion in the late 1990s, but there could be no questioning the quality of the tournament prior to this money motivated move.
Just look at the class of the clubs alongside Arsenal in the 1993/94 tournament: Real Madrid, Ajax, Parma, Torino, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica and Paris Saint Germain highlighted just how difficult it would be for Arsenal to lift the trophy.
The first round was far from encouraging, as Arsenal limped past Danish club Odense 3-2 on aggregate. But the 10-0 demolition of Standard Liege – including a 7-0 win in Belgium – saw George Graham's side progress to a testing quarter final against Torino.
Graham had learned from his previous season as a manager in Europe. Brutally exposed by Benfica in the home leg of the 1991/92 European Cup, Graham would never make that mistake again. A defensive masterclass in Turin earned a 0-0 draw, with skipper Tony Adams heading the winner at Highbury in the return leg.
Drawn to face PSG in the last four, the task ahead was daunting. Managed by Artur Jorge who had led Porto to European Cup glory in 1987, PSG were on their way to their second French title and were stocked with star players, such as the Brazilian Valdo, French player of the year David Ginola, and future Ballon d'Or winner George Weah.
Having knocked Real Madrid out in the quarter finals, PSG were rated as favourites by Graham for the tournament. Unbeaten in 35 matches prior to the first leg at the Parc des Princes, the team were the ideal combination of defensive solidity and flair up front.
"They've got a great defence," Graham admitted. "But I don’t think it's tested week in and week out, like ours." Many expected Arsenal to repeat their display in Turin, but despite playing the same formation – John Jensen, Ian Selley and Paul Davis in midfield, with Ian Wright and Paul Merson supporting the lone striker in Alan Smith – Arsenal played with attacking intent.
Jensen went close to opening the scoring – yes, you read that correctly – before a Davis free kick (set piece again, ole, ole) was headed home by Wright in the 35th minute. It is often reported that this was the night a new club chant was invented, although some claim to have heard this ditty after the Torino win.
What is known is that Go West by the Pet Shop Boys was played at half-time, the PSG fans singing 'Allez, Paris Saint Germain' to the tune. Arsenal fans were quick to respond, adapting this to 'One-nil to the Arsenal'. Whatever the origin, it would be the soundtrack accompanying Arsenal's subsequent matches in the tournament.
Frustratingly, Ginola nodded home an equaliser from a Valdo corner five minutes into the second half. But led by the inspirational Adams the team returned with a superb 1-1 draw. "There is still plenty of work left," Graham noted. "Paris Saint Germain are a top-quality side and can play better than they did last night, but so can we."
There was an understandable feeling of caution before the second leg. PSG had won 1-0 at the Bernabeu in the previous round, and eight Arsenal players came into the match with bookings against their name, walking a suspension tightrope should the team make the final. On a night of pure joy there would be one Arsenal man tasting disappointment on that front.
Again some journalists predicted that Graham would go for a 0-0 draw, happy to progress on away goals. Yet Arsenal came out flying in front of a passionate Highbury crowd. Surviving an early scare when David Seaman threw the ball straight to Valdo, the decisive moment came a few minutes later.
A Lee Dixon cross was met with a firm header from Kevin Campbell, beating Bernard Lama at his near post. Highbury exploded as the ball squeezed home, Campbell lifting his arms to the heavens. For a player who had been struggling with his confidence all season, this was his moment to shine.
Sadly, Wright would also take centre stage as the first half neared its end. Stupidly tackling Alain Roche from behind, Wright broke down in tears as Danish referee Peter Mikkelsen reached for his yellow card. "Shades of Paul Gascoigne in 1990," ITV commentator Brian Moore stated, with Wright now ruled out of the final.
Wise words from Adams in particular helped Wright regain his composure at half-time, and the striker was superb in the second half. Yet it was the famous back four of Dixon, Bould, Adams and Winterburn that earned the main plaudits, as Arsenal refused to buckle. A delicious one-nil to the Arsenal had seen the club reach their first European final in 14 years.
"Arsenal’s was a rain-swept triumph for disciplined defending, power, pace and penetration on the break, and above all a typically English intensity which French teams will always find hard to live with," David Lacey wrote in the Guardian. The scramble for Arsenal fans to get to Copenhagen was now on.
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