Nigel Winterburn On Arsenal Success And Working Under George Graham And Arsène Wenger | OneFootball

Joining Arsenal in 1987 under the management of George Graham marked a significant step in your career after spells with Birmingham, Oxford United, Wimbledon and Oxford. What was your reaction when you learned that a club of Arsenal’s stature was interested in signing you?

“I was absolutely delighted. What many people do not know is that Chelsea had actually approached me the week before. I had spoken with them, but I believe they were also in discussions with Tony Dorigo, and that deal came together very quickly.

“Just a few days later, I received a call from Sam Hammam, who informed me that Wimbledon had agreed a fee with Arsenal and that George Graham would be in touch. Shortly after, George called me, and I went to meet him at Highbury on my own.

“To be honest, when a club like Arsenal comes calling, it is hard to think of anything else. Walking into those iconic marble halls at Highbury, I knew immediately this was the club I wanted to join. I did not give much thought to who else was in the squad at the time—though many people might have questioned my decision, given Kenny Sansom was already there. But there was something undeniably special about Arsenal, and I was determined to build my career there.

“Within just 18 months of joining Arsenal, you were part of one of the most iconic moments in English football history—the dramatic title-deciding match against Liverpool at Anfield in 1989.”

Against the odds, your team clinched the First Division title in unforgettable fashion by winning by two clear goals as required at Anfield. Can you take us back to that night and share your memories of such an occasion?

“To be honest, we probably should have won the league before that night. The season was heavily disrupted by the Hillsborough disaster, which meant our game against Liverpool was postponed to the very last fixture. Liverpool had been on an incredible run, while we stumbled in the final few matches. I remember listening to their game against West Ham on the Tuesday night before our match. Hearing the goals go in was sobering—especially when it became clear we would not only need to win at Anfield but do so by two clear goals. I actually turned the radio off before the game ended because I started thinking, ‘If they score again, we’d need three clear goals—and who does that at Anfield?’

“Even with that daunting task, George Graham was supremely confident. His message was clear: Do not concede, keep it tight, and trust that we will get our chances. He believed that if we scored at any point, Liverpool might panic, and looking back, I think that is exactly what happened. Interestingly, I have spoken to a few Liverpool players since, and even they felt they did not play their usual game that night. From our perspective, though, it seemed like they were in control, especially when they could have just kept the ball and seen the game out.

“Of course, the goal at the very end was perfection. It left Liverpool no time to recover, and it sealed the night in the most dramatic way possible. Mickey Thomas had a similar chance about five or six minutes earlier, and if there is anyone you would want in that situation, it is Mickey. He had this calm, almost nonchalant demeanour—though he cared deeply—and I knew that if he got another chance, he would not miss.

“That moment was unforgettable, and for me, it is something that will never be replicated. The circumstances, the drama, the stakes—it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that still stands as one of the greatest moments in football history.”

Following the unforgettable drama of 1989, how satisfying was it to once again overcome Liverpool to claim the title in 1991—but this time in a more commanding fashion?

“Winning the title in 1991 felt completely different from the dramatic scenes of 1989. By then, we had already experienced what it was like to win the league under immense pressure, but 1991 was a season where we truly hit our stride. We were on an incredible roll, losing just one game all season. Honestly, it would have been a huge surprise if anyone had managed to catch us.

“That year, the entire squad was sensational. We did not concede many goals, and the belief within the team was extraordinary. From quite a way out, you could sense that supporters and even some of us within the squad felt it was inevitable that we would be champions again. And rightly so—we just kept dispatching teams week after week.

“Of course, the Invincibles of 2004 would later take much of the spotlight, and the 1998 team under Wenger is often celebrated as well. But that 1991 side deserves immense credit for its dominance, going through the season with only one defeat—against Chelsea—and showcasing consistency and resilience at the highest level. It may not always get the recognition it deserves, but it was a truly remarkable campaign.”

Under George Graham, you enjoyed significant domestic success, winning both the FA Cup and the League Cup. However, Arsenal’s last European triumph—the victory over Parma in the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup final—remains a standout achievement. Along the way, you overcame teams like Odense, Standard Liège, Torino, and Paris Saint-Germain before facing a star-studded Parma side. What are your memories of that Cup Winners’ Cup run, and how did the team’s belief and determination carry you through such a dramatic campaign?

“It felt like, after the league successes of 1989 and 1991, things just were not quite clicking for us in the league for a couple of seasons. During that period, we almost transitioned into being a bit of a cup specialist team. We won the League Cup and the FA Cup, and then the following season embarked on our Cup Winners’ Cup campaign.

“We faced some strong opposition throughout the competition, but what stood out was the unwavering belief within the squad. By the time we reached the final against a very talented Parma side, we were dealing with a few injuries, but that belief never wavered. Once we scored, we knew how solid we were defensively as a unit and how difficult it would be for anyone to break us down.

“Parma put us under a lot of pressure, but we showed tremendous resilience and courage to hold firm. There was a real sense among the team—and even among the supporters—that once we took the lead, the result was inevitable. That mindset carried us through the campaign, especially in the final. It did not matter who the opposition was; we had the confidence that if we got ahead, we would win the game. The Cup Winners’ Cup final was a testament to that belief and the character of the team.”

After George Graham’s success in domestic and European football, the club underwent significant changes with Bruce Rioch’s arrival and eventual departure, paving the way for Arsène Wenger to become Arsenal manager in 1996. At the time, Wenger’s appointment was met with scepticism in the media—‘Arsène who?’ was a common headline, especially with high-profile names like Johan Cruyff being linked to the job. What were your first impressions of Arsène Wenger, and how did you feel about his arrival during such an intriguing period for the club?

“To be honest, I did not know much about Arsène Wenger when he was appointed—hardly anyone did. He came in from Grampus Eight in Japan, and it was definitely a surprise at the time. However, once you started working with him, it became clear just how exceptional he was.

“Wenger seemed ahead of his time in so many ways, introducing ideas and methods that were completely new to us. He treated every player equally, and he was approachable—you could always talk to him. People often highlight the changes he made with diets and supplements, but for me, it was his training sessions that stood out. They were meticulously planned, often broken into time-specific zones, and tailored to the needs of individual players. For instance, he adjusted the workload for older players, which was something I had never experienced before.

“Training under Wenger became something to look forward to. It was intense, but it had a structure and freshness that made it enjoyable. I have said before that after just one or two sessions with him, I was determined to stick around and see how things would develop. At that point, I was older than most of the squad—apart from the back four—but I was motivated to prove I could still contribute.

“Fortunately, I managed to stay for four more years, long enough to be part of the incredible double-winning team. Wenger struck the perfect balance: he retained the stability of our back four while introducing dynamic midfield and attacking players. The result was a robust, powerful, and immensely talented team, and it was a privilege to be part of it.

“Looking back, I think the only regret we have is that, while we were very strong domestically, our European campaign did not quite live up to expectations. We had a near-miss in 1999, narrowly losing to Manchester United in both the FA Cup and the league.

“But in terms of domestic success, we were incredibly strong. We had unwavering belief, and under Arsène Wenger, we started playing more technically refined football. He re-strengthened the squad, particularly in key areas, but we also had a group of powerhouse players who would not be pushed around. It was a great combination of skill and strength, and we became a formidable team.

“The battles with Manchester United, especially in the 1997-98 season, were defining moments for us, with the victory at Old Trafford probably being the turning point that gave us the confidence to push on and ultimately win the league.

“That period, from when I joined Arsenal to when I left, was truly special. There was a fantastic blend of different managers and styles, but we were consistently winning trophies.

“The Wenger era, in particular, was a standout. It brought a different kind of football—more open, more freedom—and as I entered the later stages of my career, it felt as though I was simply enjoying my football more than ever.”

“To be honest, my intention was always to retire at Arsenal. However, I was probably a bit stubborn and, to some extent, selfish. By 2000, I found myself out of the team. In the final six months at Arsenal, with Sylvinho coming in, I was only playing once every five or six weeks, and I found that mentally very difficult. After playing regularly for so long, suddenly not being involved—especially when my life had always revolved around training to play—was a tough adjustment. The fact that I was training without any match at the end of it made it even harder to cope with.

“I ultimately decided that, despite my age, I was still fit and capable of playing more regularly than that. Once I realised, I wasn’t getting the playing time I wanted at Arsenal, I felt it was time to move on. West Ham, under Harry Redknapp, made an offer, and I felt it was the best move for me. My time there was a great experience, completely different from Arsenal, but I really enjoyed it, particularly under Harry.

“However, things changed when Harry was sacked and Glenn Roeder came in. There were challenges under Glenn, and eventually, a fallout with Paolo Di Canio.

“The first two seasons at West Ham were enjoyable, but as everyone knows, the third season was a disaster. I broke my wrist just before Christmas, and shortly after, I found out that my father was seriously ill. Given these circumstances, I was not playing much anyway, as the doctors would not clear me to play with my injury.

“In that period, I offered to terminate my contract because I did not feel I was in the right state—emotionally and physically—to continue. Glenn was very understanding and said, ‘We do not want you to do that. Just train at home, stay as fit as possible, and if we need you, I know I can call on you.’ I agreed to that.

“Unfortunately, shortly after, Glenn was dismissed, and Sir Trevor Brooking took over. I did not have much involvement with Sir Trevor, but he did an excellent job, and the team went on a fantastic run. Sadly, the poor results before his arrival had already put us in such a difficult position that survival became impossible. So, while my third year at West Ham was not great, the first two seasons offered a different experience, and I really enjoyed my time there.”

“Well, I would certainly be a lot richer now, that is for sure! (Laughs) But in all seriousness, yes, I would love to have had the opportunity to play in today’s game. Every former player probably feels the same. People often say the game is much more technical now than it was in my time, but even back then, we had to adapt to the changes in the game. So, for me, the real challenge would have been seeing if I could adapt to the way football is played now. That is the reason I would want to play today—not just for the financial rewards.

“However, I would not trade my era for anything. The success we achieved, especially at Arsenal, is something I will always cherish. People often talk about my time there, and I would not change that for money. If you offered me all those trophies again, but in the modern era, I might think differently.

“Ultimately, I played with some incredible players in fantastic teams, and those memories, along with the trophies, will always be part of the club’s history and my legacy.”