Where are they now – ‘Arsenal’s title winners of ‘89′

On May 26 1989 Arsenal went to Anfield needing to win by two goals in order to triumph with the First Division title. They were three points behind their Merseyside opponents in the league table and anything less would have resulted in Liverpool claiming a record second double of their history after claiming FA Cup glory the weekend before. With the Gunners winning one nil thanks to Alan Smith’s opening goal, the game headed into injury time. With just seconds remaining Michael Thomas netted giving the North London side the title by virtue of goals scored.

Here we take a look at that famous Arsenal side and their current status.

1 – John Lukic

Nationality: English

Age: 49

The Chesterfield-born ‘keeper had Yugoslavian parents but never represented the former Yugoslav national team as he always hoped to play for the country of his birth. Interestingly, he has always refuted claims that his mother was working as an air-stewardess on the Munich air crash. Some reports even say she was pregnant with John at the time, although he wasn’t born until 1960. “There was a stewardess called Lukic, and this is where the urban myth has come from. But I can categorically say that I was not on the aircraft in any shape or form,” he explained in 2002.

He was an ever-present for Arsenal in the ’89 campaign and made 298 appearances in total for the club.

After a second spell with the Gunners in the late ‘90s, Lukic retired in 2001 but still does a bit of coaching for the club on a part-time basis.

2 – Lee Dixon

Nationality: English

Age: 45

The full-back made an impressive 618 appearances for the North London side and also earned 22 caps for England in a career spanning 20 years. He worked his way up the football ladder and at one stage had played at 91 out of the 92 football league grounds, with Craven Cottage being the one that eluded him.

He now works on the BBC’s Match of the Day and Football Focus programmes and also writes a column on their website. He also has several business interests including the Riverside Brasserie in Bray, Berkshire, along with his friend Heston Blumenthal. He claims to still have a soft spot for his boyhood club, Manchester City.

3 – Nigel Winterburn

Nationality: English

Age: 46

Nigel was another full-back to make over 500 outings for the Gunners with a career lasting over two decades. He left Highbury at the age of 36 but due to his professionalism was able to carry on playing at the highest level with West Ham United. Not only was he a fierce tackler but he also had a sweet left foot which produced many assists during his playing days.

In the summer of 2008 Paul Ince asked Winterburn to join him in a defensive coaching position at Blackburn Rovers, which he duly obliged to. Unfortunately after The Guvnor’s dismissal less than half a season later, the former left-back was also seen as surplus to requirements at Ewood Park. He now works as a pundit.

4 – Michael Thomas

Nationality: English

Age: 42

The man who scored the decisive goal to win the title for Arsenal in 1989 as a 21-year-old midfielder and who later went on to score the winning goal for Liverpool in the 1992 FA Cup final. He started his career with the Gunners as a right-back before being moved forward.

He now runs his own security service.

5 – David O’Leary

Nationality: Irish

Age: 51

Amassed a club record 722 appearances as a Gooner in 18 years with the club and was affectionately known as the ‘Spider’ for the way he glided across the pitch. The imperious centre-half was recently voted 14^th in a list of Arsenal’s greatest ever players. Also capped 68 times for the Republic of Ireland.

Since retiring in 1995 he went on to mange Leeds United and Aston Villa and now works in the media for the Irish Sun.

6 – Tony Adams (captain)

Nationality: English

Age: 43

Another Arsenal legend who went on to wear the red and white 669 times. He is the ultimate example of a one-club man who was a rock at the heart of the Gunners defence for almost 20 years.

Managerial stints at Wycombe Wanderers and Portsmouth proved unsuccessful but he founded the Sporting Chance Clinic, a charitable foundation to help men and woman suffering from addiction to alcohol, drugs or gambling. Adams suffered from alcoholism during his career and his testimonial match raised over £500,000 for the Sporting Chance Clinic.

7 – David Rocastle

Nationality: English

Died on 31 March 2001, aged 33

Made 277 appearances for the Gunners and collected 14 caps for England. He became Leeds United’s most expensive player in 1992 when he was signed for £2 million.

Rocastle tragically died in 2001 from an aggressive form of cancer, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Six weeks after his death his son walked out at Wembley as Arsenal’s mascot in their FA Cup final against Liverpool. The club named an indoor youth team facility after him and his image is now painted, along with 15 other Arsenal legends, on the side of the Emirates stadium.

8 – Kevin Richardson

Nationality: English

Age: 47

The Tyneside-born midfielder was well travelled throughout his career, appearing for nine different clubs including a stint in Spain with Real Sociedad.

Since retiring in 2000 he has held a number of coaching positions. He has worked as youth, reserve and first team coach at Sunderland along with academy coach at Newcastle United. He also spent time as Carlton Palmer’s assistant coach at Stockport County in 2001 and currently works as Steve Staunton’s assistant manager at Darlington.

9 – Alan Smith

Nationality: English

Age: 47

‘Smudger’ as he was known was a dream strike partner as he was unselfish and held the ball up expertly. He goal in the game against Liverpool was just one of the 115 he scored for the club.

He now works for Sky Sports as a media pundit and travels around the grounds to give match updates on the well known Soccer Saturday show.

10 – Steve Bould

Nationality: English

Age: 47

Another one of Arsenal’s famous back four who went on to form a very mean defensive partnership with Tony Adams.

Still works for the North London club as the head coach of the under 18s side, leading them to the Premier Academy League and FA Youth Cup ‘Double’ in 2009.

11 – Paul Merson

Nationality: English

Age: 41

The youngest of the title-winning side, the creative star just missed out on scoring 100 goals for Arsenal, stopping agonisingly close at 99. Suffered from alcohol and drug addiction, but was still able to produce some stunning performances. Often referred to as Paul ‘the person’ Merson due to his down to Earth nature.

He now works for Sky Sports and can be seen every week commentating on games in the studio along with the host, Jeff Stelling. He is seen as an integral part of the show and adds spice with his strong views and ‘cockney rhyming slang’ talk.