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POST-SEASON A clear out was planned at the end of this season. Oleg Luzhniy was sold to Sunderland
and Martin Keown (565/10) who played 322 matches scoring 6 goals was sold to Leeds.
Lee Dixon (660/37) retired after playing 476 games and having scored 26 goals.
His career spanned a total of 19 years, in which he played 14 of them with Arsenal.
David Seaman was transfer listed after playing 396 games for Arsenal. Overall,
he has played in 703 matches in his 20-year career. Top scorer for the season
was Bergkamp with 25 goals. Saviola (24), Henry (17) and Wiltord (15) scored the
others. Joe Cole (15) and Greening (11) had a wonderful season. Goals from the
other players: Ljungberg (11), Pires (10), Parlour (6), Vieira (4), Quinn and
Lauren with 3 each. Silvinho and Stepanovs both scored 3 goals. This was followed
by Ferdinand, Hill and Keown with 1 each. The Reserves finished their season with 16 wins, 5 draws and 4 defeats. Quite
an impressive record I believe. Paolo Vernazza, Michael Clegg, Lee Canoville,
Ashley Cole, Steve Simonsen and John O'Shea were promoted to the first team for
next season. Barrett (5), Notman (3) and Pennant (3) would still stay in the Reserves
for another season. It was quite an exciting season despite having to contend with long injury layoffs
and the retirement of a few players. The youngsters have proven themselves as
future first team regulars when they managed to do well when called to replace
the injured first team players. A total of 19 players managed to represent their
respective countries and 4 players represented the Under-21 teams of their nationality.
Last but not least, a memorial match was held in conjunction with the departure
of the Arsenal 'Back Four'. The match pitted the old Arsenal stars, which includes
Adams, Winterburn, Dixon, Keown, Limpar, Jensen, Schwarz, Wright and Seaman against
the new Arsenal stars. Age played an important factor even though the youngsters
replaced a few of the old stalwarts in the second half. In the end, the new Arsenal
won 7-3 against the old Arsenal. I finished as a World Class manager and manage to secure 4th place in the worldwide reputation table. I scored 528630 points for this season. Bergkamp was voted European Footballer of the Year. Altogether: Played 139 Won 107 Drew 26 Lost 6 Scored 348 Against 121
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