1970–71 Arsenal F.C. season
During the 1970–71 English football season, Arsenal F.C. competed in the Football League First Division. In a truly historic campaign, they became just the fourth side in history to win the coveted league and FA Cup double. Having ended their 17-year trophy drought with victory over Anderlecht in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final the previous year, Arsenal started the campaign well, crushing Manchester United 4–0 in the first home game. It was a sign of things to come. For the first time in their history, Arsenal remained unbeaten at home for the entirety of the league campaign, losing just once there in all competitions – 0–2 to Crystal Palace in the Football League Cup fourth round replay.[1]
1970–71 season | |||
---|---|---|---|
Chairman | Denis Hill-Wood | ||
Manager | Bertie Mee | ||
First Division | 1st | ||
FA Cup | Winners | ||
League Cup | Fourth Round | ||
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup | Quarter–finals | ||
Top goalscorer | League: Ray Kennedy (19) All: Ray Kennedy (26) | ||
Highest home attendance | 62,087 vs Chelsea (3 April 1971) | ||
Lowest home attendance | 26,379 vs Ipswich Town (28 September 1970) | ||
Average home league attendance | 43,776 | ||
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The defence of the Fairs Cup ended with a quarter-final defeat to West Germans FC Koln on away goals, but the domestic campaign continued to inspire, with Stoke City seen off after a replay in the FA Cup semi-final in April, before the league season hit its summit on the final day of the season. [1]
Nearest challengers Leeds United had already finished their season, standing one point clear of the Gunners. Thus, a win would clinch Arsenal the title, as would a 0–0 draw, as the goal average system(the division of goals scored by goals conceded) was still being used.[2]
The setting was White Hart Lane, and the opposition was bitter local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, the last side to win the double, in the 1960–61 season. The encounter was tense, but thankfully for Arsenal Ray Kennedy headed home a late winner.[3]
And so the Gunners travelled to Wembley to face Liverpool in an attempt to clinch the double. A goalless ninety minutes at Wembley meant extra-time was needed, and two minutes in Steve Heighway gave Liverpool the lead. However, Arsenal were quick to respond, Eddie Kelly equalising nine minutes later before Charlie George rocketed in a late winner to clinch the double.[4]
Final league table
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GAv | Pts | Qualification or relegation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Arsenal (C) | 42 | 29 | 7 | 6 | 71 | 29 | 2.448 | 65 | Qualified for European Cup |
2 | Leeds United | 42 | 27 | 10 | 5 | 72 | 30 | 2.400 | 64 | Qualified for UEFA Cup |
3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 42 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 54 | 33 | 1.636 | 52 | League Cup winners, qualified for UEFA Cup |
4 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 42 | 22 | 8 | 12 | 64 | 54 | 1.185 | 52 | Qualified for UEFA Cup |
5 | Liverpool | 42 | 17 | 17 | 8 | 42 | 24 | 1.750 | 51 | FA Cup winners, qualified for Cup Winners' Cup[lower-alpha 1] |
(C) League Champions.
Notes:
- Chelsea qualified as holders
Results
Arsenal's score comes first[5]
Legend
Win | Draw | Loss |
Football League First Division
Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Scorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
15 August 1970 | Everton | A | 2–2 | 49,684 | George, Graham |
17 August 1970 | West Ham United | A | 0–0 | 39,004 | |
22 August 1970 | Manchester United | H | 4–0 | 54,117 | Radford (3), Graham |
25 August 1970 | Huddersfield Town | H | 1–0 | 34,848 | Kennedy |
29 August 1970 | Chelsea | A | 1–2 | 53,722 | Kelly |
1 September 1970 | Leeds United | H | 0–0 | 47,749 | |
5 September 1970 | Tottenham Hotspur | H | 2–0 | 48,931 | Armstrong (2) |
12 September 1970 | Burnley | A | 2–1 | 12,675 | Kennedy, Radford |
19 September 1970 | West Bromwich Albion | H | 6–2 | 33,326 | Armstrong, Graham (2), Kennedy (2), (o.g.) |
26 September 1970 | Stoke City | A | 0–5 | 18,153 | |
3 October 1970 | Nottingham Forest | H | 4–0 | 32,053 | Armstrong, Kennedy (3) |
10 October 1970 | Newcastle United | A | 1–1 | 38,024 | Graham |
17 October 1970 | Everton | H | 4–0 | 50,012 | Kennedy (2), Storey (pen.), Kelly |
24 October 1970 | Coventry City | A | 3–1 | 30,017 | Graham, Kennedy, Radford |
31 October 1970 | Derby County | H | 2–0 | 43,013 | Radford, Kelly |
7 November 1970 | Blackpool | A | 1–0 | 17,115 | Radford |
14 November 1970 | Crystal Palace | H | 1–1 | 34,503 | Radford |
21 November 1970 | Ipswich Town | A | 1–0 | 22,856 | Armstrong |
28 November 1970 | Liverpool | H | 2–0 | 45,097 | Radford, Graham |
5 December 1970 | Manchester City | A | 2–0 | 33,027 | Armstrong, Radford |
12 December 1970 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | H | 2–1 | 38,816 | Graham, Radford |
19 December 1970 | Manchester United | A | 3–1 | 33,182 | Graham, Kennedy, McLintock |
26 December 1970 | Southampton | H | 0–0 | 34,169 | |
9 January 1971 | West Ham United | H | 2–0 | 49,007 | Graham, Kennedy |
16 January 1971 | Huddersfield Town | A | 1–2 | 30,455 | Kennedy |
30 January 1971 | Liverpool | A | 0–2 | 43,847 | |
6 February 1971 | Manchester City | H | 1–0 | 46,122 | Radford |
20 February 1971 | Ipswich Town | H | 3–2 | 39,822 | George, McLintock, Radford |
27 February 1971 | Derby County | A | 0–2 | 35,875 | |
2 March 1971 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | A | 3–0 | 33,644 | Armstrong, Kennedy, Radford |
13 March 1971 | Crystal Palace | A | 2–0 | 35,022 | Graham, Sammels |
20 March 1971 | Blackpool | H | 1–0 | 37,372 | Storey |
3 April 1971 | Chelsea | H | 2–0 | 62,087 | Kennedy (2) |
6 April 1971 | Coventry City | H | 1–0 | 37,029 | Kennedy |
10 April 1971 | Southampton | A | 2–1 | 30,231 | McLintock, Radford |
13 April 1971 | Nottingham Forest | A | 3–0 | 40,727 | George, Kennedy, McLintock |
17 April 1971 | Newcastle United | H | 1–0 | 48,106 | George |
20 April 1971 | Burnley | H | 1–0 | 47,484 | George (pen.) |
24 April 1971 | West Bromwich Albion | A | 2–2 | 36,858 | McLintock, (o.g.) |
26 April 1971 | Leeds United | A | 0–1 | 48,350 | |
1 May 1971 | Stoke City | H | 1–0 | 55,011 | Kelly |
3 May 1971 | Tottenham Hotspur | A | 1–0 | 51,992 | Kennedy |
FA Cup
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R3 | 6 January 1971 | Yeovil Town | A | 3–0 | 14,500 | Kennedy, Radford (2) |
R4 | 23 January 1971 | Portsmouth | A | 1–1 | 39,659 | Storey (pen.) |
R4 R | 1 February 1971 | Portsmouth | H | 3–2 | 47,865 | Storey (pen.), George, Simpson |
R5 | 17 February 1971 | Manchester City | A | 2–1 | 45,105 | George (2) |
R6 | 6 March 1971 | Leicester City | A | 0–0 | 42,000 | |
R6 R | 15 March 1971 | Leicester City | H | 1–0 | 57,443 | George |
SF | 27 March 1971 | Stoke City | N | 2–2 | 55,000 | Storey (2; 1 pen.) |
SF R | 31 March 1971 | Stoke City | N | 2–0 | 62,500 | Graham, Kennedy |
F | 8 May 1971 | Liverpool | N | 2–1 (aet) | 100,000 | Kelly, George |
League Cup
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R2 | 8 September 1970 | Ipswich Town | A | 0–0 | 21,564 | |
R2 R | 28 September 1970 | Ipswich Town | H | 4–0 | 26,379 | Kennedy (2), Radford, Roberts |
R3 | 6 October 1970 | Luton Town | A | 1–0 | 27,023 | Graham |
R4 | 28 October 1970 | Crystal Palace | A | 0–0 | 40,451 | |
R4 R | 9 November 1970 | Crystal Palace | H | 0–2 | 45,026 |
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup
Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
R1 L1 | 16 September 1970 | ![]() | A | 2–2 | 60,000 | Radford (2) |
R1 L2 | 23 September 1970 | ![]() | H | 2–0 | 53,013 | Armstrong, Radford |
R2 L1 | 21 October 1970 | ![]() | A | 0–1 | 13,000 | |
R2 L2 | 4 November 1970 | ![]() | H | 2–0 | 37,667 | Kennedy, Storey (pen.) |
R3 L1 | 2 December 1970 | ![]() | H | 4–0 | 33,444 | Kennedy (2), Graham, Sammels |
R3 L2 | 16 December 1970 | ![]() | A | 0–0 | 16,000 | |
QF L1 | 9 March 1971 | ![]() | H | 2–1 | 40,007 | McLintock, Storey |
QF L2 | 23 March 1971 | ![]() | A | 0–1 | 50,000 |
Squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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References
- James, Kelly & Andrews (2018). Arsenal: The Complete Record. p. 308.
- James, Kelly & Andrews (2018). Arsenal: The Complete Record. p. 307.
- James, Kelly & Andrews (2018). Arsenal: The Complete Record. p. 306.
- James, Kelly & Andrews (2018). Arsenal: The Complete Record. p. 307.
- http://www.statto.com/football/teams/arsenal/1970-1971/results