Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. The opening fixture of the 2003-4 season took place at Highbury the home of Arsenal, on August 16th against Everton. The game ended 2-1 to Arsenal but there were two players sent off on a very hot day. For Everton, Chinese International Li Tie was shown red, but which Arsenal player had left the game in the first half?
2. Sunday August 24th saw Arsenal play their first away match. Since Arsene Wenger took over in October 1996, Arsenal had only ever been beaten once by the day's opponents Middlesborough at the Riverside. On this Sunday tea time that record was not to change as Arsenal strolled to a comfortable 4-0 win. Theirry Henry scored once and his French team mate Sylvain Wiltord twice, but the other scorer was whom?
3. Wednesday 27th August signalled Arsenal's first evening match of the season and the arrival of opponents Aston Villa. These two giants of English football always serve up a tight affair and this was no exception with Arsenal scoring two late goals to take a 2-0 win.
Was the Villa manager that night the Arsenal legend David O'Leary?
4. Manchester City away was Arsenal's 4th game of the season, on Sunday August 31st, and a first trip to the new Manchester City stadium. During Arsene Wenger's reign as manager, Manchester City had never inflicted defeat upon Arsenal and on this day that record was not to change as Arsenal ran out winners again. However, they had to come from behind to secure a fourth successive win thanks to an own goal by ______ , which had given City an early lead?
5. Newly promoted side Portsmouth came to Highbury for a red hot Saturday afternoon match on September 13th. The Pompey certainly were not over awed by Arsenal and were seen by many to be very unlucky to go away with just a draw. Which Arsenal player caused controversy when he allegedly 'dived' to earn Arsenal a late penalty and a 1-1 draw?
6. September 21st and England's big two come head to head at Old Trafford. Manchester United and Arsenal had long been rivals and no love had ever been lost between the two camps, so it was more surprise than anything that saw 79 minutes of tame football and a boring 0-0 draw, then the fireworks were set off when Patrick Vieira was sent off for a foul on Ruud Van Nistelrooy. What followed was 10 minutes of petty squabbles and a poor advert for football. Then in injury time Martin Keown committed a foul in the penalty area and Manchester United had a golden chance to steal the points. However, Ruud Van Nistelrooy missed the spot kick, as ________ ?
7. Friday night football was something strange to Arsenal fans and here they were with a big game on Friday September 26th at home to Newcastle United. The game produced a plethora of goal chances with Arsenal supplying 23 shots on goal to Newcastle's 13. The game was end to end, but what was the final score?
8. Saturday October 4th 2003 saw Arsenal travel to bogey side Liverpool and play at bogey ground Anfield. The Arsenal record at Liverpool was not one to boast about although during the late 1990s and early 2000s Arsenal had done a little better, so it was with relief that the Gunners came away with a priceless 2-1 win. Which Liverpool player had fired the home side into a 1-0 lead in the first 15 minutes?
9. Saturday October 18th saw the first of five encounters that season between Arsenal and London rivals Chelsea. Chelsea had been bought by billionaire Roman Abromovich and were spending money like it was going out of fashion. Chelsea came to Highbury hoping to end an eight year hoodoo of not beating Arsenal in the Premiership. However, again they left empty handed after Thierry Henry had capitalised on a goalkeeping error by the Chelsea number one, ________ ?
10. Charlton Athletic awaited the visit of Arsenal in late October, and a hard fought London derby ended 1-1. Henry had equalised for Arsenal after 39 minutes after Paolo Di Canio had scored from the spot 12 minutes earlier. Who was guilty of giving Charlton the penalty?
11. November usually means a poor time for Arsenal and the Arsenal supporters looked at the next fixture with a bit of apprehension. Although struggling in the league, Leeds United had a canny knack of upsetting Arsenal title challenges. In previous seasons the Lilly Whites had put pay to two titles in deciding the destiny of the trophy, which strangely ended up at Leeds' arch rivals Manchester United. Arsenal were still sore from losing at home the previous season to Leeds and set about destroying the home side with some superb football. Leeds could not cope with the pace and skill of the Arsenal attack and suffered a 4-1 home thumping. Which player scored the only goal for Leeds?
12. November 8th and the visit to Highbury of arch and bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur, for a local derby. Tottenham geographically is just three miles from Highbury and historically this fixture is one of the fiercest rivalries in World football. However, in the late 1990s and early 2000s Tottenham had floundered in mid table obscurity and had suffered some humiliating defeats at the hands of their more successful neighbours. However, first blood was drawn after just five minutes when Darren Anderton fired Tottenham into the lead. However with 20 minutes remaining it was still 1-0. Who equalised for Arsenal to save their blushes?
13. Arsenal travelled to Birmingham City's St. Andrews with a depleted squad following the events of the Manchester United match back in September. Which of these players made his first Premiership start of the season?
14. Fulham came across London to play at Highbury and left with a credible 0-0 draw, due mainly and solely to their keeper Edwin Van der Saar. During the game Arsenal managed to create 38 goal attempts with no success, whilst Fulham came close to scoring on ______ occasions?
15. December 6th and one of the most frustrating matches for Arsenal so far tin the 2003-04 season. A trip to Leicester City's Walkers Stadium saw Arsenal dominate throughout, and a goal on the hour by Gilberto looked to have secured three more points for the Gunners. However, deep into stoppage time Leicester City scored with their first shot on target and the last kick of the game. Which journeyman forward had me shouting expletives for days after?
Source: Author
doomed
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gtho4 before going online.
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