Book Review: 'Gunners Glory'

The format for the book is both simple and effective. Take fourteen key matches starting with our first major trophy at the Cup Final with Huddersfield in the 1930 FA Cup Final. After a brief introduction Graham gives us the low down on the players, the background to the game in question and then onto a description the match it self. The book itself is both informative and entertaining, bringing back delightful memories for those who were fortunate enough to attend any of the matches. One word of caution though this title is in fact a revamp of ‘12-0 to the Arsenal' first published in 1998 So if you're an avid Arsenal book collector check your bookshelves before splashing out.

If you're being picky I suppose it's possible to argue about the choice of a couple of the matches depicted, but so what? ‘Gunners' Glory' is a thoroughly enjoyable read and a painless journey through some of Arsenal's illustrious history. It follows on from the 30's with the 1950 Liverpool FA Cup Final (For the Team), the Championship winning match against Burnley in 1953 (0.099 of a Goal), Fairs Cup night 1970 (End of the famine), the Liverpool Final for the first double in 1971 (At the Double), the Manchester United F A Cup Final 1979 (The Brady Final), Juve away in the Cup Winners Cup 1980 (Triumph in Turin), the Littlewoods Semi Final replay against the Scum 1987 (One-Nil down, Two-One Up), Anfield 1989 (One Minute), Scum at Wembley 1993 (Revenge), Parma in Copenhagen (One-nil to the Arsenal), Sampdoria on penalties in 1995 (Joy in Genoa), the Newcastle Final for our second Double (Le Double Double) and culminating in a little outing in the Champions Section at Old Trafford on 8th May 2002 (The Prettiest Wife). I reckon it should provide an immensely enjoyably way of killing time on those long away trips up North, but only if you're not driving.

'Gunner's Glory' by Graham Weaver published 2002 by Mainstream Books, price £7.99

The Arsenal Fanzine Stall not far from Arsenal Tube Station in Gillespie Road will be selling this title on matchdays for £7.00.

Any decent bookseller will order it in for you if you quote the following reference ISBN 1 84018 667 4, or you can order on the web from Sportspages or Amazon