The warning signs were there for Arsenal before the 1988 Littlewoods Cup final. George Graham’s team were expected to maintain their grip on the trophy they had won the year before against Liverpool – especially when they beat league champions Everton home and away in the semi-finals – but Arsenal had not always coped well as favourites. Swindon (1969), Ipswich (1978), West Ham (1980) and Valencia (1980) had all defied the odds to beat Arsenal in finals; Luton were about to add their name to that list. George Graham’s first headache came when David O’Leary suffered an achilles tendon injury. His absence would prove crucial. “For me O’Leary is the Arsenal defence,” said...
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