Attendance : 27879
A last minute goal by Wednesday sub Lee Briscoe ended Arsenal's unbeaten run to the season in a dirty match at Hillsborough that will be remembered for a while.
Briscoe's delicate chip from the left hand side came against the run of play (as it so often does) and spoiled an almost perfect afternoon from reserve keeper Alex Manninger, who'd had a fine game bringing several quality saves.
The controversy started just before half time, after a number of dubious refereeing decisions leading up to half time, Patrick Vieira lost his cool throwing a punch at Rudi of Wednesday.prompted a melee which led to scenes rarely witnessed at a football game in England.when a ruckus developed following Vieira throwing a punch at Rudi of Wednesday. Vieira looked to be keeping possession despite the attention of three Wednesday players but got frustrated by the attentions of Wim Jonk. He lashed out and in the ensuing pile up, Di Canio and Martin Keown got involved. Martin Keown was sent off in the following free for all, Arsenal's third red card of the season. Di Canio had to go as well and knocked the ref over as he left the pitch which will surely earn him a lengthy ban. Surprisingly Vieira stayed on the pitch.
Back to the game, and Arsenal started well pushing the Wednesaday defence who relied on the offside trap although dodgy decisions by the officials helped.
Ray Parlour initially got free on the the right and hit a teasing cross which just evaded Anelka and the Frenchman was denied by a last gasp Des Walker tackle when he found himself with only Wednesday keeper Kevin Pressman to beat.
It was in fact Walker who was to deny the gunners takig an early lead as he prevented Overmars from getting to a loose cross.
Though Parlour seemed have the main run of chances, but again, he was denied by Pressman.
Again Wednesday were caught out, with Anelka this time, and when he was brought down by Thome the Wednesday player was lucky to remain on the pitch!!!
The play went Wednesday's way later and Manninger was relieved when Alexanderson totally miskicked the ball at Manningers back post after skill by Di Canio and Rudi.
This was far from a boring game, with Parlour having still more chances, especially when he missed an open goal from 40 yards.
It was here when the game seemed to deteriorate with the normally good Paul Alcock blowing for alsorts of dodgy decisions, which frustrated virtually everyone, ending up with bookings for Vivias and Winterburn.
Once Keown had been dismissed, Overmars was brought off for Bould, a defensive decision that seem to fail.
The second half brought more chances that we should have put away, with Bergy being put free just outside the area.
Wednesday went close to scoring when Humphreys headed just wide after Manninger missed a cross from Hinchcliffe.
The atmosphere went pearshaped from here on with the Wednesday fans booing every Arsenal player although they mainly concentrated on Vieira, but the Arsenal faithful only had to reply "CHAMPIONS!!!"
The game nneded a goal and one was definitley coming, with Vivas and Bould both sporting facial injuries, Bould wearing a bandage for the last third of the game showing goo old British grit!!!
As the game progressed, Lyundberg and Hughes came on for Petit and Parlour, who for all his trying stil failed to get a goal.
Manninger then did a great save when he suberbly tipped over a Thome header from yet another Hinchcliffe cross.
Lyundberg, the super sub had a chance to score in the dying minutes, but the Wednesday keeper denied the striker with a great save, it seems both keepers were on form today!!!