Arsenal 1986-88 Home Jersey

The Rise of George Graham’s Arsenal: A Story of Grit, Glory, and a Red Shirt

In the autumn of 1986, a new era quietly began at Highbury. Arsenal Football Club, proud but trophy-starved since their 1979 FA Cup triumph, welcomed back a familiar face: George Graham. Once a sharp midfielder for the Gunners, Graham returned not as a player, but as manager—armed with ambition, discipline, and a tactical mind that would soon reshape the club's destiny.

The 1986–87 season marked Arsenal’s 61st consecutive year in the top flight. The previous two seasons had yielded seventh-place finishes—decent, but not enough to satisfy the club's ambitions. Now, with Graham at the helm and a blend of young talents and seasoned pros, the team surged forward. They finished fourth in the First Division, their best league performance in years. But more importantly, Arsenal lifted the League Cup, defeating Liverpool 2-1 at Wembley. It was their first major trophy in eight years.

At the heart of this transformation was a squad full of emerging legends. A young Tony Adams played every single match and was voted PFA Young Player of the Year—a testament to his commanding presence. Alongside him stood veterans like Kenny Sansom, the calm and assured captain, and David O’Leary, the intelligent Irish defender. Up front, Martin Hayes led the scoring charts with 19 league goals, 8 of which came from the penalty spot. Niall Quinn added height and flair, while midfielders like David Rocastle and Paul Davis brought energy and vision.

Graham’s team was organized, motivated, and sharp. They pressed high, defended with resilience, and countered with precision. The fans, growing used to disappointment, began to believe again. The red Adidas home shirt, emblazoned with the bold JVC sponsor, became a symbol of this new era—simple, strong, and unmistakably Arsenal.

But football is never static.

As the 1987–88 season kicked off, changes were already brewing. Viv Anderson left for Manchester United. Charlie Nicholas, once the glamour forward, struggled for minutes and eventually departed. Into the fold came fresh faces: Nigel Winterburn at left-back, Lee Dixon at right-back, and Brian Marwood to challenge on the flanks. Michael Thomas and Paul Merson, products of Arsenal's academy, began to cement their places in the starting XI. Alan Smith, the tall and technical forward from Leicester, finally arrived to lead the line—and lead it he did, becoming Arsenal’s top scorer with 16 goals in all competitions.

Despite the promise, the season proved tougher. Arsenal slipped to sixth in the league, lost the League Cup final 3–2 to Luton Town, and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Nottingham Forest. Still, the foundations were being laid. George Graham was building something greater—brick by brick, pass by pass.

By the season’s end, a new captain had emerged: Tony Adams, now just 21 years old, was handed the armband. The symbolism wasn’t lost. The boy who had stood tall the previous season was now the leader of a team destined for greatness.

Looking back, the red shirt of that era—the clean white sleeves, the cannon crest, the bold white number 5 on the back—tells more than a fashion story. It tells the story of a club that rose from mediocrity to challenge once again for glory, of young men who became legends, and of a manager who returned home to lead his team to a new dawn.

And so, in the annals of Arsenal history, the seasons of 1986–87 and 1987–88 remain pivotal. They were not yet the peak—but they were the climb, the spark, the beginning of the revival. The cannon was ready. And soon, it would roar.