{"id":861,"date":"2026-04-03T08:17:59","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T08:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/socialsport.online\/?p=861"},"modified":"2026-04-03T08:17:59","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T08:17:59","slug":"wrightys-trio-of-90s-trebles-against-southampton-history-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/socialsport.online\/?p=861","title":{"rendered":"Wrighty’s trio of ’90s trebles against Southampton | History | News"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\u201cThe Dell was one of those tight old-fashioned English grounds which seemed to bring out the best in me,\u201d said Ian Wright about the stadium where he scored a bucketload of goals.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our second-highest scorer of all time added six to his total courtesy of two super hat-tricks in repeat 4-0 victories against Southampton in the early 1990s.<\/p>\n

His first treble at the quirky and asymmetrical Dell came in September 1991, just days after he\u2019d completed his \u00a32.5 million deal from Crystal Palace. Wright had already opened his account against Leicester City in the League Cup three days earlier, but his performance against a talented Saints side, boasting the likes of forwards Alan Shearer and Matthew Le Tissier, served further notice that Wright was clearly a force of nature. <\/p>\n

Clad in the now-iconic early \u201890s \u2018bruised banana\u2019 kit, we ran riot on the south coast. Wright turned provider for our first goal when his first-half shot was parried by goalkeeper Tim Flowers, and childhood friend David Rocastle gratefully slammed in from close range. <\/p>\n

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In the second half, Wright showcased his talents. Firstly, he latched onto a through-ball from Swedish winger Anders Limpar and clinically drilled a shot past Flowers, then repeated the trick from a delicious volleyed pass from striker partner Alan Smith. Later, Smith\u2019s curled effort was parried by Flowers, and drilled home emphatically by Wright, much to the joy of the travelling Gooners wedged in the cramped away end. <\/p>\n

Wright would score 24 goals in just 30 league games that season, including another treble at Southampton\u2019s expense on the final day of the season at Highbury to clinch the First Division Golden Boot, although we were unable to defend our league title, finishing 10 points behind champions Leeds United.<\/p>\n

After suffering six times at his hands in 1991\/92, Southampton would suffer again on a beautiful spring afternoon in March 1994. Wright, clad in another classic baggy yellow Gunners away number, generously gave Limpar full credit for a stellar performance \u2013 his last in an Arsenal shirt. <\/p>\n

\u201cAnders was amazing for me at The Dell that day,\u201d Wright enthused, but not for the last time, Gunners supporters were once again in thrall to the potency and panache of our marksman.<\/p>\n

The striker\u2019s first goal after 18 minutes came after Limpar\u2019s delicate pass to Kevin Campbell had opened up the play in a congested midfield. From a scramble, young midfielder Ian Selley delivered a pinpoint cross towards Wright, whose precise diving header pinged past Dave Beasant. <\/p>\n

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His next strike, 12 minutes later, was arguably even better. Almost in the blink of an eye, a laser-guided chipped pass from Limpar was dispatched by Wright with the utmost ferocity from 15 yards out to put George Graham\u2019s side 2-0 up. Many of the home supporters simply stood and applauded the move and the finish. <\/p>\n

Wright completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot after Limpar was fouled by Ken Monkou, with Campbell completing the rout. It was the red-hot Wright’s second hat-trick in a week, having grabbed another in a resounding 5-1 victory against Ipswich Town on the previous Saturday. He would end his Gunners career with 11 goals in 12 games against Southampton.<\/p>\n

‘Behind every great goalkeeper there’s a ball from Ian Wright,’ stated the iconic ’90s advertising campaign. The strapline was never more accurate than during the Gunners’ two thumping wins at The Dell.<\/p>\n

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\n Read more<\/span> <\/p>\n

How a flower seller helped Ian Wright turn pro <\/span>
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Copyright 2026 The Arsenal Football Club Limited. Permission to use quotations from this article is granted subject to appropriate credit being given to www.arsenal.com as the source.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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