The 1975–76 season was Arsenal Football Club's 50th consecutive season in the Football League First Division. Arsenal finished seventeenth in the league, one position worse than the previous season, their worst finish since Herbert Chapman became manager of the club in 1925.[1] Arsenal failed to find success in either the FA Cup or League Cup.
Manager Bertie Mee retired at the end of the season.
Bob McNab and Charlie George both departed Arsenal prior to the beginning of the season. McNab left on a free transfer to Wolves[2] while George nearly joined manager Terry Neill at Tottenham but was tempted last-minute by Derby for £90,000.[3][1] Alan Ball also requested a transfer but did not receive it. He was instead dropped for the opening games of the season and Eddie Kelly became the captain.[4] This became a source of tension as many of the players still looked to Ball for leadership.[1]
Arsenal were knocked out of the League Cup at home by Everton and soon after, exited the FA Cup thanks to a loss to Wolves. Arsenal's season quickly became a fight against relegation.[1]
Youngsters Frank Stapleton and David O'Leary both featured regularly in the first team.[5] Within the team, morale was low. In March, Peter Storey walked out for ten days and faced a club suspension. Bertie Mee soon announced his own retirement at the end of the season.[1]
Arsenal's season neared the end with an essential game in the battle for regulation between the 17th place Gunners and the 19th place Wolves. Terry Mancini's only first-team goal against Wolves ensured Arsenal stayed up that season, despite three consecutive losses closing out the season.[1]
Arsenal's score comes first[6]
[1]Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Football League First Division[7]