1972–73 Arsenal F.C. season

In the summer of 1972, double-winners Charlie George and Eddie Kelly were put on the transfer list. Though neither left the club, it represented some of the internal struggles of the club at the time, as George and Kelly felt under-rewarded compared to more senior players.^[1] Dressing room tensions continued throughout the season, as Mee saw captain Frank McLintock's influence over the dressing room as a challenge to his own authority. Mee also continued to struggle with the absence of Don Howe who had left the previous season to manage West Brom.^[2]

Mee made one major purchase in October 1972, buying centre-back Jeff Blockley from Coventry for £200,000.^[1] Blockley, who received his first cap for England days after his move to Highbury, was considered the long-term replacement for McLintock.^[3] However, this view was not shared by McLintock himself or most of the Arsenal dressing room.^[1]

In league play, Mee attempted to respond to the regular criticism that "boring old" Arsenal failed to entertain. Mee attempted to make stylistic changes to play "total football," a style far from their regular long-ball game and unsuited to the English Game.^[1] Alan Ball, a player comfortable with possession and who wanted more midfield involvement, was essential to such an approach.^[2] However, instead of success, the style led to a 5-0 loss to Derby in the league and a 0-3 home defeat to Norwich, knocking Arsenal out of the League Cup. Returning to their standard tactics, Arsenal went 15 games without defeat. By early 1973, they were nearing Liverpool in the title race. However, they ended up finishing three points behind the league leaders.^[1]

In the FA Cup, Arsenal progressed over Leicester City, Bradford City, Carlisle United, and Chelsea before being drawn against Second Division Sunderland in the semifinals.^[1] Mee chose to start the dynamic George over the hardworking John Radford.^[2] Sunderland scored thanks to a Blockley mistake; he was then roundly criticized for his poor performance, as he played without being fully fit.^[4] He was then substituted at half for Radford. Although Arsenal hoped to recover in the second half, Sunderland doubled their lead through Billy Hughes. Arsenal's sole consolation came in the 85th minute from George.^[2] Out of the FA Cup, Arsenal lost the third place match 1-3 to Wolves.

After the season's lackluster results, Mee was convinced he had to rebuild Arsenal and let several key players go at the end of the season, including McLintock and George Graham. The 1972/73 season was the beginning of the end for Mee as Arsenal began to descend into mediocrity.^[2][1]

Arsenal's score comes first^[5]

Legend

Football League First Division

FA Cup

League Cup

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

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
-	MF	ENG	George Armstrong
-	MF	SCO	George Graham
-	MF	ENG	Peter Storey
-	MF	ENG	Alan Ball
-	MF	SCO	Eddie Kelly
-	FW	ENG	Ray Kennedy
-	FW	ENG	John Radford
-	FW	ENG	Charlie George
-	FW	SCO	Peter Marinello

First Division

• John Radford - 15
• Alan Ball - 10
• Ray Kennedy - 9

Football League Cup

• John Radford - 3
• Peter Storey - 2
• Charlie George - 2

FA Cup

• Alan Ball - 4
• Bob McNab - 2

^[6]