The first in an Arsenal Mania series looking at the best players to have worn the famous shirt over the past 50 years
The 1970s were defined by Arsenal’s famous Double-winning side of 1970–71 and the core group that remained influential through much of the decade. In a traditional 4-4-2, my choice of the strongest Arsenal XI of the 1970s would be:
**Formation (4-4-2)**
**GK:** Bob Wilson
**RB:** Pat Rice
**CB:** Frank McLintock
**CB:** Willie Young
**LB:** Sammy Nelson
**RM:** George Armstrong
**CM:** Peter Storey
**CM:** Liam Brady
**LM:** Brian Talbot
**ST:** Ray Kennedy
**ST:** Malcolm Macdonald
### Goalkeeper
**Bob Wilson**
Wilson was the outstanding Arsenal goalkeeper of the early 1970s and a key figure in the Double-winning team. Renowned for agility, bravery, and consistency, he inspired confidence throughout the defence. His performances in major matches, particularly during the 1970–71 season, helped establish him as an Arsenal legend.
### Right Back
**Pat Rice**
Rice embodied commitment, durability, and leadership. A product of Arsenal’s youth system, he became one of the club’s most dependable defenders. Strong in the tackle and capable of supporting attacks, he was an integral member of the Double-winning side and later captained the club with distinction.
### Centre Back
**Frank McLintock**
McLintock was the inspirational captain of Arsenal’s greatest team of the decade. Commanding in defence and exceptional in the air, he led through both ability and personality. His leadership during the Double-winning campaign remains one of the defining examples of captaincy in Arsenal’s history.
### Centre Back
**Willie Young**
Young arrived from Aberdeen and quickly became a formidable defensive presence. Physically imposing and uncompromising, he gave Arsenal strength at the heart of defence during the latter half of the decade. His partnership with more cultured defenders provided valuable balance and made Arsenal difficult to break down.
### Left Back
**Sammy Nelson**
Nelson offered reliability and determination throughout the 1970s. Comfortable both defensively and when pushing forward, he became a fixture at left-back for club and country. His consistency over many seasons earned widespread respect, and he remains one of Arsenal’s most underrated defenders.
### Right Midfield
**George Armstrong**
Known as “The Angel with Dirty Face,” Armstrong combined elegance with tireless work rate. His crossing, intelligence, and technical quality made him a vital attacking weapon. A central figure in the Double-winning team, he provided width and creativity while also contributing significantly to defensive duties.
### Central Midfield
**Peter Storey**
Storey was one of English football’s toughest competitors. Fiercely committed and tactically disciplined, he excelled at breaking up opposition attacks and protecting the defence. His versatility allowed him to play multiple positions, but his influence in midfield was crucial to Arsenal’s major successes during the decade.
### Central Midfield
**Liam Brady**
Brady was arguably the most gifted Arsenal player of the 1970s. Blessed with outstanding vision, passing range, and technical ability, he could dictate games almost single-handedly. His performances brought excitement during a period of inconsistency, and his influence elevated Arsenal’s attacking play to another level.
### Left Midfield
**Brian Talbot**
Talbot provided energy, intelligence, and versatility across midfield. He linked defence and attack effectively and possessed an eye for important goals. As part of Arsenal’s successful late-1970s side, his work rate complemented the creativity around him, making him an ideal fit in a balanced midfield four.
### Striker
**Ray Kennedy**
Kennedy scored the goal that secured the First Division title at White Hart Lane in 1971 and was central to Arsenal’s Double triumph. Tall, skilful, and intelligent, he combined goal-scoring ability with excellent link-up play. His all-round qualities made him one of the decade’s finest forwards.
### Striker
**Charlie George**
The local lad who secured an everlasting place in every Arsenal fan’s heart when he scored the Double winning goal against Liverpool at Wembley. He could and should have stayed longer, but left in 1975 to join the then Champions Derby County.
### Honorable Mentions
* Malcolm MacDonald – SuperMac whose injury blighted career still contained many great red and white moments
* John Radford – Arsenal’s leading scorer during the Double era.
* David Price – Creative and influential in the late 1970s.
* Alan Ball – World Cup winner who brought quality and experience.
* Pat Jennings – Arrived in 1977 and was world-class, but his finest Arsenal years arguably belonged to the 1980s.