Following four wins on the bounce in March 1986 Arsenal found themselves just seven points behind leaders Everton. This is with two games in hand as well.

However, despite the teams promising league position turmoil would ensue after this run’s final victory (against Coventry). As a result of Don Howe’s resignation, Arsenal was in disarray and was about to lose control of a season that had at times been encouraging. Howe reportedly received word from club chairman Peter Hill-Wood following the Luton Cup loss that his contract would not be renewed at the end of the current campaign, though initially, the Arsenal manager had agreed to stay on until his agreement expired. However, Howe had grown frustrated with the Arsenal board’s actions, particularly with regard to their actions taken behind his back to hire Terry Venables, the manager of Barcelona, as their new coach.

Caretaker Manager Appointed

As a result, Chief scout Steve Burtenshaw was appointed caretaker manager for the final eleven League games and given the unenviable task of navigating the ship through rough waters. Despite the fact that Arsenal’s defeat at White Hart Lane on Easter Saturday was unfortunate, the club reaped what it sowed on Easter Monday and the following day. Watford would likely have been low on Arsenal’s list of preferred opponents among all the other teams they could have faced next. Watford had previously defeated Arsenal since their promotion in 1982, despite being in the 12th spot in the standings. The fact that the two were going to face off twice in a little more than 24 hours only served to make matters worse for Arsenal.

It’s important to explain the double header’s peculiar nature. A winter freeze in the early part of 1986 caused a fixture backlog in the League schedule after the original Boxing Day match at Vicarage Road was postponed, and finding a date for the rescheduled game was further complicated by the fact that both clubs started extensive Cup runs that included multiple replays along the way. The teams would play each other on Monday, March 31 at Highbury (kickoff at 11.30 am), and on Tuesday, April 1 at Vicarage Road (kickoff at 7.30 pm); obviously, scheduling the second game for Wednesday would have been far too logical. Watford probably wished they could play Arsenal every day of the week by the time the double date was over.

Match No.1

Just 19,599 were in attendance for the Bank Holiday game. Arsenal supporters also behaved badly that day. With supporters using the game as an opportunity to express their frustration with the Arsenal board. The Arsenal supporters focused on the Arsenal chairman after John Barnes gave the visitors the lead. The atmosphere was filled with chants of “Don Howe’s red and white army” and songs that were critical of the chairman. Some spectators began to leave after Malcolm Allen extended Watford’s lead in the 70th minute. However, other people travelled to Avenell Road in order to be heard outside the marble halls.

The police were eventually called in to disperse the crowd, with Hill-Wood adamant that he had made the correct decision by not renewing Howe’s contract.

“What happened today doesn’t affect me. I’ve heard it all before. I would rather they wouldn’t jeer, but a couple of goals will change it all. I don’t think it will last.”

Match No.2

A little more than 24 hours later, more than 3,000 Arsenal supporters were inflicting more suffering on themselves. With six regular Watford players absent, Arsenal got off to a fast start once more. And Tony Woodcock really ought to have given them the lead. But when things got tough, the players left, just like with any mentally brittle team. The house of cards fell when Neil Smillie gave Watford the lead at the halfway point.

Watford were fortunate with their second goal. Keown brought Barnes down outside the area, only for referee Keith Cooper to point to the spot. Kenny Jackett’s strike in the 35th minute added to Arsenal’s woes. In the 51st minute, Allen’s second goal in a day clinched the win for Watford. Unsurprisingly, the press went over-the-top over Arsenal’s current situation. Many citing the unusual fact that Arsenal lost to Watford on consecutive days.

A Season of Mediocrity

As the season came to a close, Arsenal found themselves adrift in a sea of mediocrity. A 2-2 draw against West Brom at Highbury drew 14,843 people. And a 3-0 thrashing at Oxford on the final day of the season kept the home team up. In the process sending Ipswich Town down.

The links with Venables faded – El Tel was reportedly dissatisfied with the way the Arsenal board treated Howe. As a result, on May 14, 1986, George Graham arrived as the knight in shining armour to turn the club’s fortunes around.

Graham quickly delivered silverware, utilizing many of the youth players and signings introduced by Howe to the first team. Even in his triumphant first season, Watford would be a thorn in Arsenal’s side. Their FA Cup Sixth Round victory at Highbury was marred by controversy. With referee Brian Stevens taking centre stage and infuriating many Arsenal fans in a 3-1 win for the visitors.