‘I made a mistake’: the moment that changed Paul Davis’s Arsenal career
Midfielder received a nine-game ban in 1988 for punching Glenn Cockerill during home game against Southampton
By Steven Pye for That 1980s Sports Blog
One moment of madness. A split second that would play a huge part in the career of a footballer on the verge of international recognition. On an afternoon of frustration for Arsenal’s players and supporters, one man could take no more. Paul Davis was about to inflict pain on both an opponent and his own future.
In September 1988, Arsenal found themselves trailing 2-0 at Highbury against Chris Nicholl’s Southampton. George Graham’s team looked condemned to another home defeat, having lost two weeks before to Aston Villa. With 79 minutes played there was an air of desperation as the supposed title contenders looked for a way back into the match.
