Into the archives: Believe it or not Walsall have beaten Arsenal

Their squad contained a host of England internationals, including Joe Hulme, Cliff Bastin, and George Male, while legendary Scotsman Alex James was in the attack. Walsall may have been unbeaten at home in 11 months but a four-match winless run heading into the game was compounded by a dismal 5-0 defeat at Stockport County on Boxing Day.

David vs Goliath may be an overused cliché, but this fixture undoubtedly merited such description. And Chapman's charges, along with the 11,150 in attendance, could not have anticipated the tornado which the third-tier outfit would unleash over the next 90 minutes.

"The story of how Walsall triumphed over Arsenal in the FA Cup of 1932-33 will be told for many a day," the Sporting Star reporter, who went by the name Saddler, wrote after the game.

"The Walsall players never lost their heads, that was more of an Arsenal tendency. Finding their scheming coming to nought, some of the Arsenal players seemed to lose their tempers and that made Walsall's task easier."

Arsenal were ravaged by injuries and flu, although Walsall had their fair share of injury problems too. The Saddlers were without right-back Langford, and Bennett was forced to switch from left-half to fill the void at right-back.

But the Gunners were missing Eddie Hapgood, while Bob John and Jack Lambert came down with flu in the build-up to the game. Charlie Walsh and Billy Warnes were handed their debuts, but despite fielding a weakened side, Arsenal were still handsome favourites ahead of kick-off.

Walsall's main danger man was the club's legendary all-time top goal scorer Gilbert Alsop. He would go onto score 88 goals during the 1933-34 and 1934-35 seasons combined, including a club record 48 in the latter campaign.

He netted a formidable total of 226 goals in 324 matches across his two spells at Walsall, and his brilliance came to the fore once again when Arsenal came to the Black Country.

Saddler observed: "In the end, Alsop had both Roberts and the Arsenal backs in difficulties.

"His speed and determined tackling left them aghast at times, and if he had doubled Walsall's score it would have been no more than he deserved."

Walsall, sporting an unfamiliar blue and white strip, refused to afford Arsenal an inch of space, and produced a resolute performance, with Leslie proving unbeatable at the heart of defence for the Saddlers.

The score was still goalless as the clock reached the hour-mark, and moments later Arsenal's worst fears were confirmed.

"Now came the greatest moment in Walsall's football history," described Saddler. "Alsop forced a corner and this produced a second. From the corner taken by Lee, Alsop got his head to the ball and turned it past Moss after 60 minutes."

And shortly after breaking the deadlock, Walsall quickly doubled their advantage.

Saddler wrote: "There was a big commotion when Black fouled Alsop. A penalty was awarded. Sheppard took the kick, and Walsall were two goals up with 25 minutes to play. The excitement was now terrific."

The report describes how Arsenal "fought with feverish energy" but Walsall maintained their defensive resistance until the final whistle. The players were swamped by the supporters when the final whistle blew, and Alsop and Bird were carried off the pitch amidst the euphoric scenes.

"Their defeat of Arsenal will go down as one of the best performances in the club's history. Bravo, Walsall," concluded Saddler in his on-the-whistle match report.

Walsall: Cunningham; Bennett, Bird; Reed, Leslie, Salt; Coward, Ball, Alsop, Sheppard, Lee.

Arsenal: Moss; Male, Black; Hill, Roberts, Sidey; Warnes, Jack, Walsh, James, Bastin.

Referee: Mr. A Taylor

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