Securing the top flight and FA Cup double is a feat few English sides have managed to achieve. And understandably so, it's bloody tough.
On these shores, eight clubs have claimed that prize. Only two of those, however, have done it more than once: Arsenal and Manchester United.
Three sides managed to do so before the Gunners, but the club followed suit in the 1970/71 season to etch their names into English football history. It was one hell of a ride, with some truly nail-biting finales to those respective campaigns.
May 3, 1971: We won the league, at White Hart Lane pic.twitter.com/bAOQ9EGcnN
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 3, 2019
A grueling league season under Bertie Mee got off to disjointed start, with Arsenal winning just two of their opening six fixtures. A rally followed, starting with north London derby success over bitter rivals Tottenham.
From there, the club embarked on a run that saw them taste defeat just once in their next 17 First Division clashes. Leading the charge was Ray Kennedy, whose goals were seeing the Gunners mount an almighty surge towards the league title.
However, a solitary Eddie Kelly strike saw the Gunners successfully navigate their way past Stoke City in the penultimate game, setting up a tense final showdown away at the home of their most hated enemies.
Trailing Leeds by one point, Mee's side knew that a win, or a scoreless draw, would grant a title that had evaded them for 18 years. It was an affair that belittled the word 'tense', as Spurs knew victory would crush their rivals' dreams.
Only three minutes remained on the clock when Spurs finally succumbed, as Kennedy's header evaded Pat Jennings and into the net via the crossbar. It was a moment to savour for all the supporters, and a memory that they'll never forget. And a particular victory they would taste again a few years down the line.
They weren't done there, though. Just five days later, they secured the double.
It took three victorious replays in the FA Cup to reach the national stadium, as Yeovil Town, Portsmouth, Manchester City, Leicester and Stoke were unable to see past the Gunners.
Buy now! Arsenal have made a tribute to the '71 kit available on Arsenal Direct for £30.
Donning their famous strip, with the simplistic red and white design and cannon emblem, they would fire themselves to glory in another edgy occasion.
No goals were to come in 90 minutes of regulation time, therefore a further half hour of football was needed. Liverpool put their noses in front via
️ May 8, 1971: It's the FA Cup final, it's 1-1, it's extra-time...
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 8, 2017
...and then Charlie George does this pic.twitter.com/nIsq7IOXzO
Source : 90min