On this day in History [23 April]: Arsenal became the first British side to beat European giants Juventus.

On 23rd April 1980, Arsenal became the first British club to defeat the high and mighty European elite Juventus in the second leg semi-final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup. The Gunners won by a solitary goal scored by England international Paul Vaessen in the 88th minute. Going into the match, Arsenal had drawn 1-1 in the first leg and thus needed to score without conceding in order to stand a chance of qualifying for the final.

After 75 minutes of play the aggregate score line was still 1-1 and the English side looked set to be victims of another defeat in the hands of the Serie A outfit courtesy of the away goal rule. That was until Arsenal manager Terry Neill brought on Vaessen. The super sub headed home from a Graham Rix cross to make it 2-1 which remained unanswered until the final whistle.

History was thus made on this glorious day as Arsenal became the first English team to defeat Juventus on their own home ground in Turin.