Photo: Payo / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
Arsenal defeated the French national team 2-0 in a friendly at Highbury on Valentine's Day, 14 February 1989, seven years before Arsene Wenger's arrival would trigger the club's so-called French revolution.
The match was arranged at Michel Platini's request. France, semi-finalists at both the 1982 and 1986 World Cups, had stumbled in their 1990 World Cup qualification campaign — drawing in Cyprus and then losing to Yugoslavia after a narrow 1-0 win over Norway. With a difficult trip to Hampden Park against Scotland looming, Platini sought British-style opposition on home turf.
Platini specifically chose Arsenal over Tottenham, whom he considered 'too continental.' 'Arsenal are very British and will be no less difficult to play than Scotland,' Platini said. The timing suited George Graham's side: level with Liverpool in the title race but out of both domestic cups, and with no European football available due to the post-Heysel ban on English clubs.
In his programme notes, Graham wrote: 'Tonight's game will provide valuable experience for many of our team, who meet European opposition very rarely because of the Euro ban on English clubs.' Vice chairman David Dein expressed hope for 'a speedy return to European competition.'
The match was broadcast live on French television and drew a crowd of 21,875 at Highbury. France named goalkeeper Joël Bats, defender Laurent Blanc and Jean-Pierre Papin in their side; Eric Cantona was suspended.
Arsenal took the lead in the 60th minute when substitute Martin Hayes, replacing Brian Marwood, finished brilliantly from just inside the area. Winger Perry Groves, on for David Rocastle, then burst down the right and crossed for Alan Smith to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute.
Platini was generous in defeat. 'On this form, Arsenal look a better team than England. They were very good,' he said. France's preparations were further disrupted when Scotland won at Hampden Park, with two Mo Johnston goals, and it was Scotland who ultimately edged France out of a place at Italia '90.
Graham had named the same starting XI that had beaten Millwall 2-1 days earlier, underlining how seriously Arsenal treated the fixture. By the end of the 1988–89 season, they had lifted the First Division title. A decade later, French internationals Patrick Vieira and Emmanuel Petit — both Arsenal players — combined to help France win their first World Cup on home soil in Paris.