|
Viv Anderson arrived at Highbury in the 1984 close season for £220, 000,
seeking a new challenge with Don Howe's Arsenal team. After a
successful spell under Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest, the tall right
back had the distinction of playing his part in bringing two European
Cups to the City Ground. Seen as something of an historic figure years
before his arrival at Highbury, having been the first black player to
play for England in 1978, Anderson made his Arsenal debut at home to
Chelsea on the opening day of the 1984-85 season. His arrival allowed
Howe to deploy Stewart Robson into a more effective berth in midfield.
Anderson's performances under Howe were typical of the Arsenal team of
the time.
The former Forest man would maraud up and down the flanks in
tandem with Kenny Sansom at left back, prompting many attacks, and on
some occasions even finishing them. Playing more like an inside right
than an out and out right back, Viv's cavalier approach sometimes found
him caught out of position when the opposition countered. However, this
style helped Anderson score 15 goals in his three seasons at Highbury, a
spell that saw him make 150 appearances. Viv's role in the Arsenal side
was changed when George Graham took over as Manager for the 1986-87
season.
A more disciplined Anderson could be seen barking orders at
youngsters such as Tony Adams, helping to mould the young centre back
into the colossus he would become in later years. After helping Arsenal
to the 1987 League Cup, the club's first trophy under Graham, Anderson,
by now 30, was sold on to Manchester United prior to the start of the
1987-88 season for £250, 000. The decision to sell such a solid
performer in the Arsenal side was criticised by fans that viewed
Anderson as the perfect mentor for the young talent that would go on to
flourish at Highbury. (James Lawler)
|