Defender · 1964–1973 · verified
Frank McLintock
The captain who lifted the club's first Double. A Scottish wing-half remade into a commanding centre-half, Frank McLintock led the 1970/71 side to the League and FA Cup Double and was crowned Footballer of the Year, the inspirational heart of one of the great Arsenal teams.
| Signed | 1964, from Leicester City |
|---|---|
| Role | Captain, centre-half |
| Honour | 1971 Double; Footballer of the Year 1971 |
| Left | 1973 |
Before the captaincy
McLintock arrived from Leicester City in 1964, a combative and intelligent Scot who had already tasted Wembley heartbreak in cup finals. Converted from wing-half to centre-half, he found his finest form at the back, where his reading of the game and force of personality marked him out as a leader. He was made captain and became the figure around whom manager Bertie Mee built his side.
The 1971 Double
McLintock captained Arsenal to the League and FA Cup Double in 1970/71, the title sealed with a win at Tottenham and the cup won 2-1 after extra time against Liverpool at Wembley. It was the crowning achievement of his career and one of the proudest moments in the club's history. He was voted Footballer of the Year in 1971, recognition of his leadership and consistency, before leaving Arsenal in 1973.
How he played
A born leader, McLintock combined a tackler's bite with the composure to organise those around him. Strong, brave and tactically sharp, he drove his team-mates on by example and word alike — the captain every great side is built around.
Timeline
- 1964Signs from Leicester City
- 1971Captains the League and FA Cup Double and is voted Footballer of the Year
- 1973Leaves Arsenal
Connected pages
Verification
Published as verified · checked 25 Jun 2026 · 2 retained source references.
Sources and evidence
- Arsenal.com (reference recorded; direct URL not retained)
- the historical record (reference recorded; direct URL not retained)
Links and source labels are shown exactly as retained in the published record.