1980–81 Arsenal F.C. season

The 1980-81 season was Arsenal Football Club's 55th consecutive season in the top flight of English football. The club ended their campaign third in the Football League First Division, despite a dismal start. Manager Terry Neill was attempting to follow up on finalist performances in both the FA Cup and the European Cup Winner's Cup during the previous season.

In the transfer business, Arsenal lost first-team regular Liam Brady to Juventus. Arsenal signed 19-year-old Clive Allen from Queens Park Rangers as a forward for £1.25 million, a club transfer record. However, Allen failed to make a competitive match appearance for the club and was instead moved-on to Crystal Palace in a swap deal for Kenny Sanson. Peter Nicholas also joined the club in March.

Frank Stapleton was Arsenal's top scorer in both the league and in all competitions. He left Arsenal for Manchester United at the end of the season.

Throughout the season, Arsenal went undefeated at Highbury in the League.

Arsenal F.C. 1980–81 football season

Arsenal F.C.

1980–81 season

Chairman

Denis Hill-Wood

Manager

Terry Neill

FA Cup

Fourth round

Top goalscorer

League:
Frank Stapleton (14)
All:
Frank Stapleton (16)

Highest home attendance

54,045 vs Tottenham Hotspur
(30 August 1980)

Lowest home attendance

17,431 vs Birmingham City
(31 March 1981)

Home colours

Away colours

← 1979–80

1981–82 →

Season summary

After the gruelling and heart breaking 70-match season in 1979/80, it was clear that Arsenal needed reinforcements if they wanted to progress to the next level, and it was essential that the money earned from their cup runs should be invested in the squad. Arsenal only received the maximum £600,000 allowed by UEFA and the EEC for international transfers when Liam Brady went to Juventus.^[1]

With the impending departure of Brady, Arsenal fans were in need of some positives, so the signing of Clive Allen at least provided a glimmer of hope. The 19-year-old centre forward was one of the most exciting prospects in the English game. After scoring 28 goals for QPR in the Second Division in 1979/80 Arsenal signed the teenager to provide competition and assistance to Frank Stapleton and Alan Sunderland. Arsenal had smashed their transfer record, spending £1.25 million on Allen, completely blitzing their previous high of £440,000 on Brian Talbot in the process and making Allen the first £1 million teenager.^[2]

Clive Allen's Arsenal career was over after just 62 days at the club. Allen, who played just three pre-season games for Arsenal, headed to Crystal Palace along with goalkeeper Paul Barron. In return England defender Kenny Sansom arrived at Highbury.^[3]

Arsenal also bought defensive midfielder Peter Nicholas from Crystal Palace in March 1981. He joined Arsenal when the club had won a grand total of three of the last 14 games played. After that Arsenal played nine, and only dropped two points and Nicholas didn’t play on the losing side. When he joined Arsenal they were 7th, eleven points behind the leaders.

By the end of the season Arsenal were 3rd, seven points behind the leaders, and qualified for the UEFA Cup. Arsenal had gone through the whole season undefeated at Highbury in the League and were undefeated in their final nine matches.^[4]^[5]^[6]^[7]

Pre-season and friendlies

Date	Opponents	Venue	Result	Score F–A	Scorers	Attendance
1 August 1980	Rangers	A	L	0–2		27,000
3 August 1980	Aberdeen	A	L	1–2	Stapleton
9 August 1980	Vasco da Gama	N	L	1–2	Talbot
10 August 1980	Partizan Belgrade	A	D	0–0

Results

First Division

Pos	Team v t e	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts	Qualification or relegation
1	Aston Villa (C)	42	26	8	8	72	40	+32	60	Qualification for the European Cup first round
2	Ipswich Town	42	23	10	9	77	43	+34	56	Qualification for the UEFA Cup first round
3	Arsenal	42	19	15	8	61	45	+16	53
4	West Bromwich Albion	42	20	12	10	60	42	+18	52
5	Liverpool	42	17	17	8	62	42	+20	51	Qualification for the European Cup first round^[a]

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

^ Liverpool qualified for the European Cup first round as the 1980–81 European Cup winners.

West Bromwich Albion v Arsenal

16 August 1980 1	West Bromwich Albion	0–1	Arsenal	West Bromwich
				Stadium: The Hawthorns

Arsenal v Southampton

19 August 1980 2	Arsenal	1–1	Southampton	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Coventry City v Arsenal

23 August 1980 3	Coventry City	3–1	Arsenal	Coventry
				Stadium: Highfield Road

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur

30 August 1980 4	Arsenal	2–0	Tottenham Hotspur	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Manchester City v Arsenal

6 September 1980 5	Manchester City	1–1	Arsenal	Manchester
				Stadium: Maine Road

Arsenal v Stoke City

13 September 1980 6	Arsenal	2–0	Stoke City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Middlesbrough v Arsenal

20 September 1980 7	Middlesbrough	2–1	Arsenal	Middlesbrough
				Stadium: Ayresome Park

Arsenal v Nottingham Forest

27 September 1980 8	Arsenal	1–0	Nottingham Forest	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Leicester City

4 October 1980 9	Arsenal	1–0	Leicester City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Birmingham City v Arsenal

7 October 1980 10	Birmingham City	3–1	Arsenal	Birmingham
				Stadium: St Andrew's

Manchester United v Arsenal

11 October 1980 11	Manchester United	0–0	Arsenal	Manchester
				Stadium: Old Trafford

Arsenal v Sunderland

18 October 1980 12	Arsenal	2–2	Sunderland	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Norwich City

21 October 1980 13	Arsenal	3–1	Norwich City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Liverpool v Arsenal

25 October 1980 14	Liverpool	1–1	Arsenal	Liverpool
				Stadium: Anfield

Arsenal v Brighton & Hove Albion

1 November 1980 15	Arsenal	2–0	Brighton & Hove Albion	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Leeds United v Arsenal

8 November 1980 16	Leeds United	0–5	Arsenal	Leeds
				Stadium: Elland Road

Southampton v Arsenal

11 November 1980 17	Southampton	3–1	Arsenal	Southampton
				Stadium: The Dell

Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion

15 November 1980 18	Arsenal	2–2	West Bromwich Albion	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Everton

22 November 1980 19	Arsenal	2–1	Everton	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Aston Villa v Arsenal

29 November 1980 20	Aston Villa	1–1	Arsenal	Birmingham
				Stadium: Villa Park

Arsenal v Wolverhampton Wanderers

6 December 1980 21	Arsenal	1–1	Wolverhampton Wanderers	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Sunderland v Arsenal

13 December 1980 22	Sunderland	2–0	Arsenal	Sunderland
				Stadium: Roker Park

Arsenal v Manchester United

20 December 1980 23	Arsenal	2–1	Manchester United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Crystal Palace v Arsenal

26 December 1980 24	Crystal Palace	2–2	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: Selhurst Park

Arsenal v Ipswich Town

27 December 1980 25	Arsenal	1–1	Ipswich Town	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Everton v Arsenal

10 January 1981 26	Everton	1–2	Arsenal	Liverpool
				Stadium: Goodison Park

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

17 January 1981 27	Tottenham Hotspur	2–0	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: White Hart Lane

Arsenal v Coventry City

31 January 1981 28	Arsenal	2–2	Coventry City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Stoke City v Arsenal

7 February 1981 29	Stoke City	1–1	Arsenal	Stoke on Trent
				Stadium: Victoria Ground

Nottiingham Forest v Arsenal

21 February 1981 30	Nottiingham Forest	3–1	Arsenal	Nottingham
				Stadium: City Ground

Arsenal v Manchester City

24 February 1981 31	Arsenal	2–0	Manchester City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Middlesbrough

28 February 1981 32	Arsenal	2–2	Middlesbrough	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Leicester City v Arsenal

7 March 1981 33	Leicester City	1–0	Arsenal	Leicester
				Stadium: Filbert Street

Norwich City v Arsenal

21 March 1981 34	Norwich City	1–1	Arsenal	Norwich
				Stadium: Carrow Road

Arsenal v Liverpool

28 March 1981 35	Arsenal	1–0	Liverpool	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Arsenal v Birmingham City

31 March 1981 36	Arsenal	2–1	Birmingham City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal

4 April 1981 37	Brighton & Hove Albion	0–1	Arsenal	Brighton
				Stadium: Goldstone Ground

Arsenal v Leeds United

11 April 1981 38	Arsenal	0–0	Leeds United	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Ipswich Town v Arsenal

18 April 1981 39	Ipswich Town	0–2	Arsenal	Ipswich
				Stadium: Portman Road

Arsenal v Crystal Palace

20 April 1981 40	Arsenal	3–2	Crystal Palace	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Arsenal

25 April 1981 41	Wolverhampton Wanderers	1–2	Arsenal	Wolverhampton
				Stadium: Molineux Stadium

Arsenal v Aston Villa

2 May 1981 42	Arsenal	2–0	Aston Villa	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Football League Cup

Swansea City v Arsenal

26 August 1980 Second round (1st Leg)	Swansea City	1–1	Arsenal	Swansea
				Stadium: Vetch Field

Arsenal v Swansea City

2 September 1980 Second round (2nd Leg)	Arsenal	3–1 (4–2 agg.)	Swansea City	London
				Stadium: Highbury

Stockport County v Arsenal

22 September 1980 Third round	Stockport County	1–3	Arsenal	Stockport
				Stadium: Edgeley Park

Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal

4 November 1980 Fourth round	Tottenham Hotspur	1–0	Arsenal	London
				Stadium: White Hart Lane

FA Cup

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

Everton v Arsenal

3 January 1981 Third round	Everton	2–0	Arsenal	Liverpool
				Stadium: Goodison Park

Squad

^[8] 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	IRL	John Devine
—	DF	ENG	Kenny Sansom
—	MF	ENG	Brian Talbot
—	DF	IRL	David O'Leary
—	DF	SCO	Willie Young
—	MF	ENG	John Hollins
—	FW	ENG	Alan Sunderland
—	FW	IRL	Frank Stapleton
—	MF	ENG	Steve Gatting
—	MF	ENG	Graham Rix


No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
—	DF	ENG	Steve Walford
—	MF	ENG	Brian McDermott
—	GK	SCO	George Wood
—	MF	ENG	David Price
—	MF	ENG	Paul Davis
—	MF	WAL	Peter Nicholas
—	FW	ENG	Paul Vaessen
—	DF	NIR	Pat Rice
—	DF	NIR	Sammy Nelson

Top scorers

First Division

References

^ Soar, Phil; Tyler, Martin (1986). Arsenal 1886-1986 : the official centenary history of Arsenal Football Club. Twickenham: Hamlyn. p. 244. ISBN 9780600358718.
^ Eccleshare, Charlie (13 October 2019). "Seven London clubs in one day. Clive Allen retraces the steps of a remarkable career". The Athletic. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
^ "Footballers joining and leaving a club soon after". The Guardian. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2023.
^ James, Josh (2008). Arsenal: The Complete Record. deCoubertin Books.
^ Spurling, Jon (2001). All Guns Blazing. Aureus.
^ Donnelley, Paul (2009). Arsenal On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year. Pitch Publishing Ltd.
^ Soar, Phil; Taylor, Martin (2003). The Official Illustrated History of Arsenal. Hamlyn.
^ Arsenal and Man United in hunt for Germany U-21 ace. "Arsenal FC - Kader 1980/1981". Worldfootball.net. Retrieved 19 August 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)

v t e Arsenal F.C. seasons
Royal Arsenal F.C.	1886–87 1887–88 1888–89 1889–90 1890–91 1891–92 1892–93
Woolwich Arsenal F.C.	1893–94 1894–95 1895–96 1896–97 1897–98 1898–99 1899–1900 1900–01 1901–02 1902–03 1903–04 1904–05 1905–06 1906–07 1907–08 1908–09 1909–10 1910–11 1911–12 1912–13 1913–14
Arsenal F.C.	1914–15 1915–16 1916–17 1917–18 1918–19 1919–20 1920–21 1921–22 1922–23 1923–24 1924–25 1925–26 1926–27 1927–28 1928–29 1929–30 1930–31 1931–32 1932–33 1933–34 1934–35 1935–36 1936–37 1937–38 1938–39 1939–40 1940–41 1941–42 1942–43 1943–44 1944–45 1945–46 1946–47 1947–48 1948–49 1949–50 1950–51 1951–52 1952–53 1953–54 1954–55 1955–56 1956–57 1957–58 1958–59 1959–60 1960–61 1961–62 1962–63 1963–64 1964–65 1965–66 1966–67 1967–68 1968–69 1969–70 1970–71 1971–72 1972–73 1973–74 1974–75 1975–76 1976–77 1977–78 1978–79 1979–80 1980–81 1981–82 1982–83 1983–84 1984–85 1985–86 1986–87 1987–88 1988–89 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 2008–09 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24

1980–81 in English football

« 1979–80

1981–82 »

National teams

League competitions

Levels 1–4	Football League (First Division, Second Division, Third Division, Fourth Division)
Level 5	Alliance Premier League
Levels 6–7	Isthmian League (Premier, One) Northern Premier League (level 6 only) Southern League (Midland, Southern) (level 6 only)
Levels 8–9	Isthmian League (Two) Athenian League (level 8 only) Cheshire County League (One, Two) Combined Counties League (level 8 only) Town & Country League (level 8 only) Essex Senior League (level 8 only) Hellenic League (Premier, One) Kent League (level 8 only) Lancashire Combination (level 8 only) London Spartan League (Premier, Senior) Midland Football Combination (level 8 only) Midland League (Premier, One) Northern League (level 8 only) South Midlands League (Premier, One) Sussex County League (One, Two) United Counties League (Premier, One) West Midlands (Regional) League (level 8 only) Western League (Premier, One) Yorkshire League (One, Two)

Cup competitions

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

European competitions

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