We know how the story ends but, for many, it remains the most dramatic match in ­English football history.

Staged at Anfield but with a Hollywood storyline, it is fitting that Arsenal’s remarkable title ­triumph on May 26, 1989 has been immortalised on film.

Liverpool were untouchable at the time, the undisputed kings of English football. George Graham’s young Gunners had raced clear in the title race but with three games to go lost at home to Derby, drew with Wimbledon and slipped to second.

That meant a Friday night visit to Liverpool with a two-goal win needed to overhaul the leaders and be crowned champions.

Anything less and the title stayed on Merseyside.

The documentary is called 89 and its soundtrack has the ­memories flooding back – the traffic jams on the M6 that day, England manager Bobby Robson being called up as a last-minute TV pundit after ­another guest pulled out, the ­miners, Maggie Thatcher, it is all in there.

There is also a long and very moving sequence about ­Hillsborough, its impact on the game and the devastation wreaked by English football’s ­biggest tragedy.

The Arsenal ­players ran out on to the pitch with bouquets of flowers to give to fans. Former Gunners ­defender Lee Dixon recalls making a point of heading to the Kop, where he had stood ­occasionally as a boy with a blue and white Manchester City scarf. He giving his flowers to a woman who, he says, gave him a thank you as if to say, “You can play now.”

Dixon was executive producer and able to draw on his ­experience.

His first job was to get the gang back together again to talk on camera about the triumph – ­especially Michael Thomas, who scored in ­injury time to clinch the title on goals scored, with the teams level on 76 points and a +37 goal difference. “Mickey was the first phoned up because ­without him we haven’t got a film,” said Dixon.

“We got hold of virtually all of the team. There’s a couple we couldn’t get like Kevin Richardson, and Nigel Winterburn is away for the premiere which is a big shame.

“You know what’s going to ­happen – but I think it’s got this brilliant ability, even though you know the ending, you’ve got to find a way of getting people going, ‘Is he going to score?’ ” And there is tension ­throughout, even though the ­outcome is known.

Alan Smith’s glancing header from an indirect free-kick just after half-time put Arsenal on course but Liverpool confronted referee David ­Hutchinson to try to suggest he did not get a touch.

Dixon said: “There was tension about the first goal. Then you’ve about 10 Liverpool players surrounding the referee and we’re only young and I’m thinking to myself, ‘Oh, Alan Hansen – he’s scary’.” They overcame their nerves and TV pundit Dixon says his part in making the film has given him a taste for more.

Kevin Richardson, Steve Bould, Paul Merson and Alan Smith (
Image:
Getty)

“The closest I get to match-day tension is being live on air, the red button behind you with the ­camera on during a World Cup with 20 million watching,” said Dixon, who went on to win ­further titles under Graham and Arsene Wenger.

“I loved doing the film, it was fascinating and so bring on another one. Whether I could ring Pirlo in the same way... but this has been fascinating and I’ve loved being part of it.”

Arsenal legend David O’Leary recalled ­Graham’s ­management and the title-winning miracle.

“We had a manager who made us believe. I thought it was going to be a big ask, but I doubted if we could win by two clear goals,” said O’Leary.

“George was very calm. I ­remember people saying, ‘They have to go out and go for it from the first whistle’. George’s team talk was brilliant. His message was the most important thing was not to concede.

“We got to half time, George was happy and told us the key was taking our chances. He knew he had players good enough to deal with the occasion even though most people thought we’d blown it.

Graham holds the trophy after the game (
Image:
Getty)

“It was an amazing night. I’d played in many cup finals for Arsenal, the league is a long plod over a season and yet this game was a shoot-out, a cup final for the league title.

“I was looking down the pitch, could see Mickey going through, the ball bobbling on the old pitch, it took so long for it go in but then when it did and the miracle was complete.

“Manchester City fans will never agree because of Aguero, but it was first versus second, a shoot-out and live on TV, it was unique. It can’t really be matched.”

** 89 is available in OurScreen cinemas from today (November 11) & on DVD & Digital Download from November 20 **