Half a century ago, a 17-year-old defender stepped onto the pitch in our colours for what would be the first of a record-breaking 722 appearances in red.
Stoke Newington-born Dublin local David O’Leary didn’t even think he would make it through his first year as an academy player, let alone go on to become the all-time leading appearance maker.
Two years before his debut at Turf Moor against Burnley on August 16, 1975, David was attracting interest from both us and Manchester United, but the pull of his north London roots proved decisive – it was a decision that had a huge impact on our history.
He said: “I had gone on trial at Manchester United and Arsenal. I liked Manchester United but there was just something that felt right about Arsenal for me.
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“My parents lived in north London and I was born in north London and my dad was an Arsenal supporter. So, there was that influence and I also felt the pathway was there for players to go from the academy into the first team.
“That was a big reason for choosing Arsenal. I came over and there were some lads from Dublin already there. Liam Brady was a couple of years older than me and Frank Stapleton had been there a few years too.
“I didn’t know them before I arrived but it was great to see Dublin lads doing well at the club.”
Despite choosing us over Manchester United, things were far from straightforward as he made his way over the Irish Sea, joining us on his 15th birthday, May 2, 1973.
“My first year at Arsenal was hard,” O’Leary admitted. “I felt I was an ok player coming across, but I felt like I was rubbish in my first year. I got into the youth team and found it very hard in the first year. I came back at the start of my second year thinking, ‘I’m surprised they haven’t kicked me out after the first year’.
“But then I got put in the reserves. I had a good year in the reserves and came back the third year in 1975, having just turned 17, there were some injuries in the first team. Bertie Mee said to me, ‘You’re going to be playing against Burnley in the first game of the season’.”
A big statement from our legendary manager, David and the team ventured north to Turf Moor for the opening day of the 1975/76 season.
The year before had been a difficult one for the club, finishing in 16th place, just four points clear of the relegation zone.
David's first opponents, Burnley, finished in 10th position the season prior, but despite finishing above us in 74/75, we made the perfect start to the game as Wilf Rostron netted.
Brian Hornsby doubled our lead, but Peter Noble pulled one back for the hosts. Hornsby scored his second of the afternoon to restore our two-goal advantage before late efforts from Ray Hankin and Leighton James ensured the game finished 3-3.
Despite the fightback, it was a special occasion for David, which became even more memorable with a big surprise we had laid on for our talented defender.
“My most joyful memory from that day is the fact that when I came into the dressing room after the match, everyone was congratulating me and then Bertie Mee said ‘I’ve got someone here to see you’ and it was my dad.
“Arsenal had arranged to bring my dad over for the match – a gesture that was typical of Arsenal and Bertie Mee. When I saw my dad, I broke down a bit. I could see how proud he was. It was an amazing moment.
“I always keep my eyes out for Burnley’s results because they were the team I made my debut against.
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“I remember visiting Turf Moor a few years ago and I was thinking ‘this hasn’t changed much, this is where you made your debut, this is where is all started for you’.”
David went on to make 30 appearances in his first season and didn’t look back from there. The Ireland international brought an end to his career in N5 in 1993, having made 722 appearances, with two league titles, two FA Cups and two League Cups.
The epitome of composure, David was also named in the PFA Team of the Year on three separate occasions.
Read the full interview by Andy Greeves with David in our first matchday programme of the season against Leeds United - subscribe now.
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