David O'Leary

David O’Leary was born in London on the 2nd May 1958. His family moved to Dublin when he was three. He played for Dublin junior side Reds United before signing for Arsenal as an apprentice in 1973. O’Leary rose through the ranks at Arsenal at a rapid rate, playing for the reserves at 16 and making his debut for the first team against Burnley in August 1975. He went on to play 30 first-team games in that season.

Bar the 1980/81 season in which he was injured and only played 27 times, O’Leary was aconstant presence at centre half for Arsenal for the best part of a decade. He was an elegant and stylish player, preferring to pass the ball out of defence rather than clear the ball long, which was more common from defenders in English football at the time. O’Leary was a key member of Arsenal’s1979FACup-winning team when they defeated Manchester United in the final. He was also on the losing Arsenal side that played in the 1978 and1980 FA Cup Final’s and1980 European Cup. O’Leary was made Arsenal’s captain in 1982 but was replaced by Graham Rix 18 months later.

In 1989 he became Arsenal’s record appearance holder, surpassing George Armstrong’s record of 621 first-team games. He was no longer first choice under George Graham at this time, with Steve Bould and Tony Adams starting most games. Despite this, O’Leary played 20 times as Arsenal won the league.