Michael Thomas was joined by an array of Arsenal legends as stars gathered for the world premiere of ’89’
The Gunners' dramatic league win at Liverpool in 1989 has been turned into a movie, with the likes of Lee Dixon, Tony Adams and Jack Wilshere all gathering at Odeon Holloway
ARSENAL legend Michael Thomas was joined by his former team-mates and a host of stars for the world premiere of '89'.
The Gunners hero netted a dramatic winner at Liverpool in 1989 to seal a famous league title, with the clash at Anfield being turned into a movie.
And Thomas was just one of a number of special guests at Odeon Holloway on the red carpet with 600 people in attendance.
The film recalls all the highs and lows from the 1988/89, including the defeat against Derby and the draw against Wimbledon that almost cost Arsenal the title.
This left George Graham's side needing to beat the Reds who were occupying top spot by two clear goals, or the championship would be staying in Liverpool.
Filled with interviews from the players, the referee and photographers at the game, '89' gives a unique insight into the most dramatic end of a season British football has ever seen.
Manchester City fans would argue that Sergio Aguero's late strike against QPR on the final day of the 2011/12 campaign was the greatest ever football moment, but they didn't have to face a side that had won five league titles, two FA Cup's, four League Cup's and two European Cup's in eight years.
Former right-back Lee Dixon was the executive producer of the movie, and he revealed that his first job as getting the squad back together.
He said: "Phoning up Mickey was the first one because without him we haven’t got a film.
"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.
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"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?’"
The match - played on May 26, 1989 - was marred with controversy, as Liverpool players surrounded ref David Hutchinson as they disputed Alan Smith's glancing header for the opener, claiming he didn't get a touch from a Winterburn free-kick.
Dixon added: "There was tension about the first goal. Then you’ve got about ten Liverpool players surrounding the referee and we’re only young and I’m thinking to myself: ‘Ooh, Alan Hansen - he’s scary.’”
Arsenal's all-time record appearance holder David O'Leary had his say on that magical night in Merseyside almost 30 years ago.
He said: "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’d been at Arsenal for 12 years, all I’d ever heard about was how long it had been since the club had last won the title.
"I was looking straight 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 to watch in selected OurScreen cinemas from November 11.
