12 years to the day, football lost one it's best. David Rocastle was a player ahead of his years in terms of technical ability and he brought flair and style to an Arsenal team that was developing under George Graham. He was part of the team that won the Littlewoods cup final in 1987, the league for the first time in 18 years on that unforgettable night at Anfield and another league winner medal with the Gunners in 1991 before moving on to Leeds Utd, then briefly Man City before finishing his Career at Chelsea. Taken before his time, he died from Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma aged just 33. God Bless Rocky and everything he gave to Arsenal and football as a whole, an all round Gentleman, with a natural raw talent for the game. Rocky scored some great goals for us, but the one that sticks out for me has to be the winner in the semi final against Spurs at WHL, the classic game where the spurs stadium announcer was telling spurs fans how to get their Wembley tickets at HT, only for Rocky to fire the Gunners into the final [video=youtube;geJbTwOQoQU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geJbTwOQoQU[/video]
Was not lucky enough to watch him at his pomp, but everything I have heard about him and have seen through old videos and youtube videos tell me that he was a brilliant player. Also, read an excellent article about him the other day, will post the link below. A must read for all Gooners. http://www.sabotagetimes.com/footba...enal-legend-and-a-true-gentleman-of-football/
An absolute Arsenal legend, always will be. The goal that stands in my mind was his goal at Anfield in the League Cup in a game we dominated, he hit a screamer from outside the box (though we did manage to lose the replay at home !). RIP
I remember that night at Anfield - we played some magnificent football only for a draw - Rocky's goal that night was superb - even the Liverpool fans around me cheered!
SE13 kid like me and at the time, he brought so much flair to the team it made us really exciting to watch. It was the first time I'd seen a player like him at Arsenal, Brady was before my time but I used to hear people comparing the two. What was great about Rocky was that he could literally dig the ball out of the mud in the centre circle on those crappy pitches and go on a mazy run with the ball bobbling around and still keep close control, pick out great passes and score some great goals with such a sweet strike. If you watch some of his play and goals, he's as good as any of the best skillful midfielders in the premier league today.
Totally agree Piskie with Rocky and my boyhood hero of Charlie Nicholas Arsenal suddenly had flair and excitement. All i can say is oh rocky, rocky..
I thought the tribute to Rocky on Saturday was piss poor.It was meant to last for seven minutes for hardly made it to two minutes.For me it just showed how many corporate,tourist and new fans we now have.
Agreed. The only defence I'll put up is that it's been 20 years since Rocky last wore an Arsenal shirt, many of todays fans were either unborn or too young to remember, what is unforgivable is the fact they didn't take the time to learn the clubs history, but as is the case at most clubs todays fans are only interested in success and think their club only formed the day they started winning....
Go to the Bailey or the Wig in Holloway Rd before or after any game and the singing is endless, after the Stoke game there were 100+ doing Jesus said Paddy at 10pm, football sold out to the Corporates a long time ago....
Well said. It pisses me right off. If you claim to love something, then get to know it. You wouldn't love a person without knowing all their quirks/details, so why claim to love a club if you don't do any research.
