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 their in all competitions-2-0 to Crystal Palace in the Football League Cup fourth round replay.
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.
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 was still being used.
The setting was White Hart Lane, and the opposition was bitter local rivals Tottenham Hotspur, the last side to win the double, in the 1960-1961 season. The encounter was tense, but thankfully for Arsenal Ray Kennedy headed home a late winner.
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.
Final league table
Results
Arsenal's score comes firstLegend
Football League First Division
FA Cup
| Round | Date | Opponent | Venue | Result | Attendance | Goalscorers |
| R3 | 6 January 1971 | Yeovil Town | A | 3–0 | 14,500 | Kennedy, Radford |
| R4 | 23 January 1971 | Portsmouth | A | 1–1 | 39,659 | Storey |
| R4 R | 1 February 1971 | Portsmouth | H | 3–2 | 47,865 | Storey, George, Simpson |
| R5 | 17 February 1971 | Manchester City | A | 2–1 | 45,105 | George |
| 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 |
| SF R | 31 March 1971 | Stoke City | N | 2–0 | 62,500 | Graham, Kennedy |
| F | 8 May 1971 | Liverpool | N | 2–1 | 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, 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 |  Lazio | A | 2–2 | 60,000 | Radford |
| R1 L2 | 23 September 1970 | Lazio | H | 2–0 | 53,013 | Armstrong, Radford |
| R2 L1 | 21 October 1970 |  SK Sturm Graz | A | 0–1 | 13,000 | |
| R2 L2 | 4 November 1970 | SK Sturm Graz | H | 2–0 | 37,667 | Kennedy, Storey |
| R3 L1 | 2 December 1970 |  Beveren | H | 4–0 | 33,444 | Kennedy, Graham, Sammels |
| R3 L2 | 16 December 1970 | Beveren | A | 0–0 | 16,000 | |
| QF L1 | 9 March 1971 |  1. FC Köln | H | 2–1 | 40,007 | McLintock, Storey |
| QF L2 | 23 March 1971 | 1. FC Köln | A | 0–1 | 50,000 |