1977–78 Arsenal F.C. season

The 1977–78 season was Arsenal Football Club's 52nd consecutive season in the Football League First Division. It was Terry Neill's second season as manager. Arsenal finished fifth in the league. In cup play, Arsenal reached the semi-finals in the League Cup, losing to the previous season's league and European champions Liverpool. Arsenal were also in the finals of the FA Cup, the first of three consecutive FA Cup finals that Arsenal would reach under Neill. They lost 1-0 to Ipswich.

In the transfer business, Pat Jennings joined the club from Tottenham Hotspur. He would go on to make over two-hundred appearances for Arsenal. Alan Sunderland joined Arsenal at centre forward where he would remain an important player for several seasons. Neill also brought in Don Howe as an assistant.

Malcom Macdonald was again Arsenal's top scorer.

92nd season in existence of Arsenal F.C.

Arsenal F.C. 1977–78 football season

Arsenal F.C.

1977–78 season

Chairman

Denis Hill-Wood

Manager

Terry Neill

FA Cup

League Cup

Top goalscorer

League:
Malcolm Macdonald (15)
All:
Malcolm Macdonald (26)

Home colours

Away colours

← 1976–77

1978–79 →

Season summary

Beginning with a difficult pre-season tour in Singapore and Australia, Terry Neill struggled with Malcolm Macdonald and Alan Hudson and disciplined them due to poor behavior. Arsenal had relied heavily especially on Macdonald in previous seasons and the management was hoping to strengthen team play, which Macdonald found difficult at times.^[1]

After an eighth place finish in Neill's first season, the manager was looking to improve the squad. First, he brought in former Arsenal player and coach Don Howe for £40,000 as his assistant.^[2] Neill then looked to improve Arsenal's goalkeeping in the transfer market. Jimmy Rimmer, a solid performer in the 1975-76 season as Arsenal fought relegation, moved to Aston Villa. In came Pat Jennings at age 32 after spending thirteen years at Tottenham.^[3] Arsenal also brought in striker Alan Sunderland from Wolves for £70,000.^[1] Outgoing players included left-back Wilf Rostron,^[4] and midfielder (and former academy player) Trevor Ross.^[5]

Arsenal began the season with a 1-0 loss to Ipswich while playing in a hailstorm in what would be an echo of the FA Cup final later in the season. Arsenal, though performing better than the previous season, struggled with the squad depth to challenge for the league championship. They ended up fifth in league play.^[1]

In the League Cup, Arsenal beat Hull and Southampton at Highbury before going to a second game against Manchester City in the quarterfinals. Macdonald won a penalty which was put in by Liam Brady, who at that point had scored a goal every round. Arsenal then faced Liverpool, English and European Champions, in the semifinals. Arsenal lost 2-1 at Anfield, followed by a goalless draw at Highbury.^[1]

In the FA Cup, Arsenal beat Manchester United 3-2 in the second-round tie at Highbury. They then faced Walsall who had knocked Arsenal out of the FA Cup 45 years previous, beating them 4-1 soon after their semifinal loss to Liverpool in the League Cup. Arsenal beat Wrexham 3-2 in the next round before clearing Orient 3-0 in the semifinal. Arsenal was to face Bobby Robson's Ipswich in the final. Arsenal struggled with injury problems,^[6] with Sunderland recovering from a broken foot, Macdonald requiring a knee operation, and Brady being carried off with an injured ankle versus Liverpool. All of them featured in the game. Roger Osborne scored the only goal for Ipswich. Macdonald went into surgery three days later, the beginning of the end of his career.^[1]

Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
-	GK	NIR	Pat Jennings
-	DF	NIR	Pat Rice
-	DF	NIR	Sammy Nelson
-	MF	ENG	David Price
-	DF	IRL	David O'Leary
-	DF	SCO	Willie Young
-	MF	IRL	Liam Brady
-	FW	ENG	Alan Sunderland
-	FW	ENG	Malcolm Macdonald
-	FW	IRL	Frank Stapleton
-	MF	ENG	Graham Rix


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
-	MF	ENG	Alan Hudson
-	MF	ENG	Trevor Ross
-	DF	ENG	Peter Simpson
-	MF	ENG	John Matthews
-	DF	ENG	Richie Powling
-	DF	IRL	John Devine
-	MF	ENG	Mark Heeley
-	DF	ENG	Steve Walford
-	MF	NIR	Jim Harvey

^[7]

Results

First Division

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
3	Everton	42	22	11	9	76	45	+31	55	Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
4	Manchester City	42	20	12	10	74	51	+23	52
5	Arsenal	42	21	10	11	60	37	+23	52
6	West Bromwich Albion	42	18	14	10	62	53	+9	50
7	Coventry City	42	18	12	12	75	62	+13	48

Source: World Football
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Goals scored

Ipswich Town v Arsenal

20 August 1977 1	Ipswich Town	1–0	Arsenal	Ipswich
				Stadium: Portman Road

Arsenal v Everton

23 August 1977 2	Arsenal	1–0	Everton	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal

27 August 1977 3	Wolverhampton Wanderers	1–1	Arsenal	Wolverhampton
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest

3 September 1977 4	Arsenal	3–0	Nottingham Forest	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Aston Villa v Arsenal

10 September 1977 5	Aston Villa	1–0	Arsenal	Birmingham
				Stadium: Villa Park

Arsenal v Leicester City

17 September 1977 6	Arsenal	2–1	Leicester City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Norwich City v Arsenal

24 September 1977 7	Norwich City	1–0	Arsenal	Norwich
				Stadium: Carrow Road

Arsenal v West Ham United

1 October 1977 8	Arsenal	3–0	West Ham United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Liverpool

4 October 1977 9	Arsenal	0–0	Liverpool	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Manchester City v Arsenal

8 October 1977 10	Manchester City	2–1	Arsenal	Manchester
				Stadium: Maine Road

Arsenal v Queen's Park Rangers

15 October 1977 11	Arsenal	1–0	Queen's Park Rangers	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Bristol City v Arsenal

22 October 1977 12	Bristol City	0–2	Arsenal	Bristol
				Stadium: Ashton Gate

Arsenal v Birmingham City

29 October 1977 13	Arsenal	1–1	Birmingham City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Manchester United v Arsenal

5 November 1977 14	Manchester United	1–2	Arsenal	Manchester
				Stadium: Old Trafford

Arsenal v Coventry City

12 November 1977 15	Arsenal	1–1	Coventry City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Newcastle United v Arsenal

19 November 1977 16	Newcastle United	1–2	Arsenal	Newcastle Upon Tyne
				Stadium: St James' Park

Arsenal v Derby County

26 November 1977 17	Arsenal	1–3	Derby County	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Middlesbrough v Arsenal

3 December 1977 18	Middlesbrough	0–1	Arsenal	Middlesbrough
				Stadium: Ayresome Park

Arsenal v Leeds United

10 December 1977 19	Arsenal	1–1	Leeds United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Coventry City v Arsenal

17 December 1977 20	Coventry City	1–2	Arsenal	Coventry
				Stadium: Highfield Road

Arsenal v Chelsea

26 December 1977 21	Arsenal	3–0	Chelsea	London
				Stadium: Highbury

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

27 December 1977 22	West Bromwich Albion	1–3	Arsenal	West Bromwich
				Stadium: The Hawthorns

Everton v Arsenal

31 December 1977 23	Everton	2–0	Arsenal	Liverpool
				Stadium: Goodison Park

Arsenal v Ipswich Town

2 January 1978 24	Arsenal	1–0	Ipswich Town	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers

14 January 1978 25	Arsenal	3–1	Wolverhampton Wanderers	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

21 January 1978 26	Nottingham Forest	2–0	Arsenal	Nottingham
				Stadium: City Ground

Arsenal v Aston Villa

4 February 1978 27	Arsenal	0–1	Aston Villa	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Leicester City v Arsenal

11 February 1978 28	Leicester City	1–1	Arsenal	Leicester
				Stadium: Filbert Street

West Ham United v Arsenal

25 February 1978 29	West Ham United	2–2	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: Upton Park

Arsenal v Norwich City

28 February 1978 30	Arsenal	0–0	Norwich City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Manchester City

4 March 1978 31	Arsenal	3–0	Manchester City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Bristol City

18 March 1978 32	Arsenal	4–1	Bristol City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Birmingham City v Arsenal

21 March 1978 33	Birmingham City	1–1	Arsenal	Birmingham
				Stadium: St Andrew's

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion

25 March 1978 34	Arsenal	4–0	West Bromwich Albion	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Chelsea v Arsenal

27 March 1978 35	Chelsea	0–0	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: Stamford Bridge

Arsenal v Manchester United

1 April 1978 36	Arsenal	3–1	Manchester United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Queen's Park Rangers v Arsenal

11 April 1978 37	Queen's Park Rangers	2–1	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: Loftus Road

Arsenal v Newcastle United

15 April 1978 38	Arsenal	2–1	Newcastle United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Leeds United v Arsenal

22 April 1978 39	Leeds United	1–3	Arsenal	Leeds
				Stadium: Elland Road

Liverpool v Arsenal

25 April 1978 40	Liverpool	1–0	Arsenal	Liverpool
				Stadium: Anfield

Arsenal v Middlesbrough

29 April 1978 41	Arsenal	1–0	Middlesbrough	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Derby County v Arsenal

9 May 1978 42	Derby County	3–0	Arsenal	Derby
				Stadium: Baseball Ground

Football League Cup

Arsenal v Manchester United

30 August 1977 Second round	Arsenal	3–2	Manchester United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Southampton

25 October 1977 Third round	Arsenal	2–0	Southampton	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Hull City

29 November 1977 Fourth round	Arsenal	5–1	Hull City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Manchester City v Arsenal

18 January 1978 Quarter-final	Manchester City	0–0	Arsenal	Manchester
				Stadium: Maine Road

Arsenal v Manchester City

24 January 1978 Quarter-final replay	Arsenal	1–0	Manchester City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Liverpool v Arsenal

7 February 1978 Semi-final 1st leg	Liverpool	2–1	Arsenal	Liverpool
				Stadium: Anfield

Arsenal v Liverpool

14 February 1978 Semi-final 2nd leg	Arsenal	0–0	Liverpool	London
				Stadium: Highbury

FA Cup

Arsenal entered the FA Cup in the third round proper, in which they were drawn to face Sheffield United.

Sheffield United v Arsenal

7 January 1978 Third round	Sheffield United	0–5	Arsenal	Sheffield
				Stadium: Bramall Lane

Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers

28 January 1978 Fourth round	Arsenal	2–1	Wolverhampton Wanderers	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Walsall

18 February 1978 Fifth round	Arsenal	4–1	Walsall	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Wrexham v Arsenal

11 March 1978 Sixth round	Wrexham	2–3	Arsenal	Wrexham
				Stadium: Racecourse Ground

Arsenal v Orient

8 April 1978 Semi-Final	Arsenal	3–0	Orient	London
				Stadium: Stamford Bridge

Arsenal v Ipswich Town

6 May 1978 Final	Arsenal	0–1	Ipswich Town	London
				Stadium: Wembley Stadium Attendance: 100,000

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Soar, Phil; Tyler, Martin (1995). Arsenal: Official History. London: Hamlyn. pp. 190–194. ISBN 0600588262.
^ "Don Howe, 1935-2015". Arsenal. 23 December 2015. Archived from the original on 18 August 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
^ Hocking, Tom (5 September 2022). "Focus On Pat Jennings: Spurs' goalkeeper legend who took his safe hands to Arsenal". When Saturday Comes. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
^ "Wilf Rostron". ARsenal. Archived from the original on 30 January 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
^ "Trevor Ross". Arseal. Archived from the original on 16 January 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
^ Kelly, Andy (27 May 2015). "Arsenal's Complete FA Cup Final Record – updated with all 14 Wins". The Arsenal History. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 4 November 2023.
^ "All Arsenal players: 1978". 11 v 11. Archived from the original on 5 October 2023.

External links

Arsenal 1977–78 on statto.com

v t e Arsenal F.C. seasons
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1977–78 in English football

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National teams

League competitions

Levels 1–4	Football League (First Division, Second Division, Third Division, Fourth Division)
Levels 5–6	Isthmian League (Premier, One) Northern Premier League (level 5 only) Southern League (Premier, One North, One South)
Levels 7–9	Isthmian League (Two) Athenian League (level 7 only) Cheshire County League (level 7 only) Eastern Counties League (level 7 only) Essex Senior League (level 7 only) Hellenic League (Premier, One) Kent League (level 7 only) Lancashire Combination (level 7 only) London Spartan League (Premier, Senior) Midland Football Combination (level 7 only) Midland League (Premier, One) Northern League (level 7 only) South Midlands League (Premier, One) Sussex County League (One, Two) United Counties League (Premier, One, Two) West Midlands (Regional) League (level 7 only) Western League (Premier, One) Yorkshire League (One, Two, Three)

Cup competitions

FA cups	FA Cup (Qualifying rounds, Final) Charity Shield FA Trophy (Final)
Football League cups	League Cup (Final)

European competitions

Club seasons
First Division	Arsenal Aston Villa Birmingham City Bristol City Chelsea Coventry City Derby County Everton Ipswich Town Leeds United Leicester City Liverpool Manchester City Manchester United Middlesbrough Newcastle United Norwich City Nottingham Forest Queens Park Rangers West Bromwich Albion West Ham United Wolverhampton Wanderers
Second Division	Blackburn Rovers Blackpool Bolton Wanderers Brighton & Hove Albion Bristol Rovers Burnley Cardiff City Charlton Athletic Crystal Palace Fulham Hull City Luton Town Mansfield Town Millwall Notts County Oldham Athletic Orient Sheffield United Southampton Stoke City Sunderland Tottenham Hotspur
Third Division	Bradford City Bury Cambridge United Carlisle United Chester Chesterfield Colchester United Exeter City Gillingham Hereford United Lincoln City Oxford United Peterborough United Plymouth Argyle Port Vale Portsmouth Preston North End Rotherham United Sheffield Wednesday Shrewsbury Town Swindon Town Tranmere Rovers Walsall Wrexham
Fourth Division	Aldershot Barnsley Bournemouth Brentford Crewe Alexandra Darlington Doncaster Rovers Grimsby Town Halifax Town Hartlepool United Huddersfield Town Newport County Northampton Town Reading Rochdale Scunthorpe United Southend United Southport Stockport County Swansea City Torquay United Watford Wimbledon York City