The 1970 – 1971 season was arguably the finest in the history of Arsenal football club as they won the elusive ‘double.’ The Gunners were outstanding in the league as they finished the campaign off at the top of the table. They won 29 of their 42 matches during the campaign which in turn comfortably sealed the title for the Gunners. Arsenal enjoyed a fine run in the FA cup and met Liverpool in the final. The Merseysiders narrowly lost against Arsenal and they won the trophy. George Armstrong was an ever present member of Arsenal’s 1970 -71 ‘double’ side. He was an unselfish and hard working winger and was well renowned for his stamina. Bertie Mee guided the Gunners to fifth position in the league the following campaign. They enjoyed another incredible FA Cup run that saw them reach the final of the competition; they lost the final encounter 1-0 against Leeds United.
The 1972 – 73 season saw the Gunners just missing out on winning the league championship as they finished off the campaign as runners up in the league. They enjoyed another good run in the FA cup once again, reaching the semi finals. They lost a thrilling encounter against Sunderland 2-1.
The following two seasons saw a gradual decline in Arsenal’s league fortunes finishing the 1973- 74 season off in tenth place and the 1974 – 75 campaign off in a poor 16th place, their worst finish in 50 years, since finishing 20th in 1925. They suffered a shock defeat in the second round of the league cup, losing to Tranmere Rovers.