​Lee Dixon and George Graham have told the story of how the former came to sign for Arsenal from Stoke in 1988.





In an exclusive extract of 89 - a film which looks at the Gunners' dramatic title win of the 1988-99 season - in the ​Evening Standard, Dixon revealed how his move to Highbury came about.





The full-back went on to play over 600 games for Arsenal, winning four league titles and three FA Cups, but it could have been different had he not reconciled with manager Graham after some extortionate wage demands.

 Thought you'd seen all there was to see in @89thefilm?



We've got an exclusive extra scene starring Lee Dixon and George Graham | ✍️ @jamesbenge https://t.co/EwzxgPJ5Ol — Standard Sport (@standardsport) November 20, 2017

"Out of the blue I got a call from Mick Mills, who was manager of Stoke at the time, and he said 'we need you to come in a bit early before training'," Dixon revealed.





"I went in and he said 'it's the big one'. I said 'who's that then?' and he said 'Arsenal'. When the words came out of his mouth, I remember being in his office and feeling all the blood drain from my face.





"Mick Mills told me we needed to go to Watford Gap service station to do the deal with George. We drive down and on the way there I said to Mick Mills, 'what sort of money d'you think George might offer me?' He said, 'you've made it, it's first division, it's Arsenal, it's the big league. They'll offer you £1,000 a week minimum'."

"I couldn't even comprehend money like that. I had that figure in my head when I got out the car at the service station.





"George is sitting in his car like a million dollars. He's suited and booted, he's got his Arsenal blazer on, Arsenal tie. He puts his hand out and says, 'welcome aboard. The deal's been done, the clubs have agreed a fee'.





"He shakes my hand again and starts to get out the car. So I said to him, 'George, can we just talk about wages?' He said, 'why what do you want?' And I said, '£1,000?'

"As I said that, he basically gets out the car, shuts the door and walks off into the service station. The next day I phoned George up and I said, 'look you've got me all wrong, I'm a bit naive. Can I come down and see you'."





"It was a no-brainer wasn't it," laughed Graham. "Come on, there was no way he was going to argue, was he? So eventually, he saw common sense."

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"I went straight to George's office," Dixon added, "and I said, 'where do I sign, I'll sign for whatever you want'. And he went, 'I tell you what, I'll give you £750'."