‘Wenger said one glass of champagne after title win – we ended up in nightclub’
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Arsenal clinched the Premier League title in spectacular fashion on May 8, 2002.
The Gunners, without the help of Dennis Bergkamp and Thierry Henry, travelled to Old Trafford and beat Manchester United 1-0 in their own backyard. Sylvain Wiltord’s all important 56th minute goal did more than just secure three points against bitter rivals – it ended three years of United dominance as Arsenal were crowned champions in front of a red-faced Alex Ferguson.
It also meant they had completed another double, having won the FA Cup four days earlier in Cardiff. But manager Arsene Wenger was still keen to limit the fun to the on-pitch celebrations at Old Trafford, though his efforts were rather predictably in vain.
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Legendary Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman recalls how, despite the Frenchman’s initial reluctance, one drink turned to several. And before long, the north Londoners were partying hard in what is one of Seaman’s best memories following a title victory.
Speaking to Daily Star Sport ahead of World Heart Day, Seaman said: “There was a really good celebration when we won the league at Old Trafford. We flew back and Arsene wouldn't let us have a drink on the plane. He was like ‘No, you recover, you rehydrate’ and all this sort of thing.
“But when we got back to the training ground, Bob and Megs Wilson had put a big table out with champagne glasses all on it. As we walked in, Arsene said ‘Alright, you can have one.’”
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As the drinks continued to flow, one Arsenal player decided to keep the party going by calling up high-end Fitzrovia nightclub China White, famously frequented by footballers and A-list celebrities. By all accounts, the party didn't stop until the early hours of the morning.
Seaman reminisced: “All of us in our tracksuits got the team bus down to China White – the best club in London at the time. When we called up, they were like ‘Course you can come in!’
“We all piled in there and by the time we were done, all the press were waiting outside for us. So they managed to get a mixture of photographs of players in certain states.
“But we were always going to celebrate because we'd just won the league at Old Trafford. If you don't celebrate like that then there's something wrong.”
Arsenal went on to win the league again two years later. They went one better on that occasion, clinching their Invincibles title at Tottenham's White Hart Lane stadium.
Ahead of World Heart Day this September, the British Heart Foundation and David Seaman are shining a spotlight on hidden heart conditions. To find out more or donate, visit spotlighton.bhf.org.uk
- Arsenal FC
- Arsene Wenger
- Premier League
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- Manchester United FC
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