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David O'Leary
| Born | 02 May 1958, Stoke Newington |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Weight | 87 kg |
| Height | 1.85 m |
| Position | Defender/Centre back |
The holder of Arsenal’s club record appearances tag – 558 in the league and 719 in all competitions – David was a stalwart of the Gunners defence for more than 15 years. Making his debut as a 17 year-old on the opening day of the 1975-76 season, his final appearance was in the 1993 FA Cup Final win against Sheffield Wednesday. David also claimed a FA Cup winners medal in 1979 and also won two championship titles. He began his successful managerial career under the wing of his former Highbury boss George Graham at Leeds United.
Career stats
| Season | Team | Competition | Apps | Subs | Goals | Y | R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976-77 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 3 | ||||
| 1976-77 | Arsenal | League Cup | 4 | 1 |
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| 1976-77 | Arsenal | League Division One | 33 | 2 |
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| 1976-77 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 3 |
1
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| 1976-77 | Republic of Ireland | International | 2 | ||||
| 1977-78 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 6 | 1 |
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| 1977-78 | Arsenal | League Cup | 6 | ||||
| 1977-78 | Arsenal | League Division One | 41 | 1 |
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| 1977-78 | Republic of Ireland | European Championship | 1 | ||||
| 1977-78 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 1 |
1
|
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| 1977-78 | Republic of Ireland | International | 1 | ||||
| 1977-78 | Republic of Ireland | Representative | 1 | ||||
| 1978-79 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 11 | ||||
| 1978-79 | Arsenal | League Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1978-79 | Arsenal | League Division One | 37 | 2 |
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| 1978-79 | Arsenal | UEFA Cup | 5 | ||||
| 1978-79 | Republic of Ireland | European Championship | 2 | ||||
| 1978-79 | Republic of Ireland | International | 1 | ||||
| 1978-79 | Republic of Ireland | UNICEF Charity | 1 | ||||
| 1979-80 | Arsenal | European Cup Winners Cup | 9 | ||||
| 1979-80 | Arsenal | FA Charity Shield | 1 | ||||
| 1979-80 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 9 | ||||
| 1979-80 | Arsenal | League Cup | 6 | ||||
| 1979-80 | Arsenal | League Division One | 34 | 1 |
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| 1979-80 | Republic of Ireland | European Championship | 3 | ||||
| 1979-80 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1979-80 | Republic of Ireland | International | 1 | ||||
| 1980-81 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1980-81 | Arsenal | League Cup | 2 | ||||
| 1980-81 | Arsenal | League Division One | 24 | 1 |
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| 1980-81 | Republic of Ireland | B v A | 1 | ||||
| 1980-81 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1980-81 | Republic of Ireland | International | 3 | ||||
| 1981-82 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1981-82 | Arsenal | League Division One | 40 | 1 |
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| 1981-82 | Arsenal | Milk Cup | 5 | ||||
| 1981-82 | Arsenal | UEFA Cup | 4 | ||||
| 1981-82 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 2 | ||||
| 1982-83 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 5 | ||||
| 1982-83 | Arsenal | League Division One | 36 | 1 |
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| 1982-83 | Arsenal | Milk Cup | 7 | ||||
| 1982-83 | Arsenal | UEFA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 1982-83 | Republic of Ireland | European Championship | 3 | ||||
| 1983-84 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1983-84 | Arsenal | League Division One | 36 | ||||
| 1983-84 | Arsenal | Milk Cup | 4 | ||||
| 1983-84 | Republic of Ireland | International | 2 | ||||
| 1983-84 | Republic of Ireland | Japan Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1983-84 | Republic of Ireland | Kirin Japan Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1984-85 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 3 | ||||
| 1984-85 | Arsenal | League Division One | 36 | ||||
| 1984-85 | Arsenal | Milk Cup | 3 | ||||
| 1984-85 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 5 | ||||
| 1984-85 | Republic of Ireland | International | 2 | 1 |
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| 1985-86 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 5 | ||||
| 1985-86 | Arsenal | League Division One | 35 | ||||
| 1985-86 | Arsenal | Milk Cup | 7 | ||||
| 1985-86 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 3 | ||||
| 1985-86 | Republic of Ireland | International | 1 | ||||
| 1986-87 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 4 | ||||
| 1986-87 | Arsenal | League Division One | 39 | ||||
| 1986-87 | Arsenal | Littlewoods Cup | 9 | ||||
| 1987-88 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 4 | ||||
| 1987-88 | Arsenal | League Division One | 23 | ||||
| 1987-88 | Arsenal | Littlewoods Cup | 6 | 1 |
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| 1988-89 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 2 | ||||
| 1988-89 | Arsenal | League Division One | 26 | ||||
| 1988-89 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 3 | ||||
| 1989-90 | Arsenal | FA Charity Shield | 1 | ||||
| 1989-90 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 3 | ||||
| 1989-90 | Arsenal | League Division One | 28 | 6 |
1 |
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| 1989-90 | Arsenal | Littlewoods Cup | 4 | ||||
| 1989-90 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 1 | 2 |
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| 1989-90 | Republic of Ireland | International | 4 | 1 |
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| 1989-90 | Republic of Ireland | Liam Brady Testimonial | 1 | ||||
| 1990-91 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 4 | 1 |
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| 1990-91 | Arsenal | League Division One | 11 | 10 |
1 |
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| 1990-91 | Arsenal | Rumbelows League Cup | 1 |
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| 1990-91 | Republic of Ireland | European Championship | 4 | 1 |
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| 1990-91 | Republic of Ireland | International | 2 | ||||
| 1991-92 | Arsenal | European Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1991-92 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1991-92 | Arsenal | League Division One | 11 | 14 |
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| 1991-92 | Arsenal | Rumbelows League Cup | 1 |
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| 1991-92 | Republic of Ireland | European Championship | 2 | ||||
| 1991-92 | Republic of Ireland | FIFA World Cup | 1 | ||||
| 1991-92 | Republic of Ireland | International | 4 | ||||
| 1992-93 | Arsenal | Coca-Cola League Cup | 2 | ||||
| 1992-93 | Arsenal | FA Cup | 1 | 3 |
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| 1992-93 | Arsenal | Premier League | 6 | 5 |
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| 1992-93 | Republic of Ireland | David OLeary Testimonial | 1 | ||||
| 1992-93 | Republic of Ireland | International | 1 | ||||
| 1993-94 | Leeds United | Premier League | 10 |
1
|
Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Match history
| Date | Match | Result | Competition | Round | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08 Sep 1976 | England v Republic of Ireland | D | 1-1 | International | |
| 17 Nov 1976 | France v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 09 Feb 1977 | Republic of Ireland v Spain | L | 0-1 | International | |
| 30 Mar 1977 | Republic of Ireland v France | W | 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 01 Jun 1977 | Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-1 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 21 Sep 1977 | Republic of Ireland v League of Ireland | W | 2-1 | Representative | |
| 12 Oct 1977 | Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria | D | 0-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 5 |
| 21 May 1978 | Norway v Republic of Ireland | D | 0-0 | International | |
| 24 May 1978 | Denmark v Republic of Ireland | D | 3-3 | European Championship | Group 1 |
| 25 Oct 1978 | Republic of Ireland v England | D | 1-1 | European Championship | Group 1 |
| 19 May 1979 | Bulgaria v Republic of Ireland | L | 1-0 | European Championship | Group 1 |
| 22 May 1979 | Republic of Ireland v West Germany | L | 1-3 | International | |
| 29 May 1979 | Republic of Ireland v Argentina | D | 0-0 | UNICEF Charity | |
| 11 Sep 1979 | Wales v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-1 | International | |
| 17 Oct 1979 | Republic of Ireland v Bulgaria | W | 3-0 | European Championship | Group 1 |
| 21 Nov 1979 | Northern Ireland v Republic of Ireland | L | 1-0 | European Championship | Group 1 |
| 06 Feb 1980 | England v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-0 | European Championship | Group 1 |
| 26 Mar 1980 | Cyprus v Republic of Ireland | W | 2-3 | FIFA World Cup | Group 2 |
| 10 Sep 1980 | Republic of Ireland v Netherlands | W | 2-1 | FIFA World Cup | Group 2 |
| 29 Apr 1981 | Republic of Ireland v Czechoslovakia | W | 3-1 | International | |
| 21 May 1981 | West Germany v Republic of Ireland | L | 3-0 | B v A | |
| 24 May 1981 | Poland v Republic of Ireland | L | 3-0 | International | |
| 24 May 1981 | Poland v Republic of Ireland | L | 3-0 | International | |
| 09 Sep 1981 | Netherlands v Republic of Ireland | D | 2-2 | FIFA World Cup | Group 2 |
| 14 Oct 1981 | Republic of Ireland v France | W | 3-2 | FIFA World Cup | Group 2 |
| 22 Sep 1982 | Netherlands v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-1 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 13 Oct 1982 | Republic of Ireland v Iceland | W | 2-0 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 27 Apr 1983 | Spain v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-0 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 04 Apr 1984 | Israel v Republic of Ireland | L | 3-0 | International | |
| 23 May 1984 | Republic of Ireland v Poland | D | 0-0 | International | |
| 03 Jun 1984 | China PR v Republic of Ireland | W | 0-1 | JAPAN CUP | Semi-final |
| 05 Jun 1984 | SC INTERNACIONAL, BRAZIL v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-1 | KIRIN JAPAN CUP | Final |
| 12 Sep 1984 | Republic of Ireland v USSR | W | 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 17 Oct 1984 | Norway v Republic of Ireland | L | 1-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 14 Nov 1984 | Denmark v Republic of Ireland | L | 3-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 27 Feb 1985 | Israel v Republic of Ireland | D | 0-0 | International | |
| 26 Mar 1985 | England v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-1 | International | |
| 01 May 1985 | Republic of Ireland v Norway | D | 0-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 26 May 1985 | Republic of Ireland v Spain | D | 0-0 | International | |
| 02 Jun 1985 | Republic of Ireland v Switzerland | W | 3-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 11 Sep 1985 | Switzerland v Republic of Ireland | D | 0-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 16 Oct 1985 | USSR v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 13 Nov 1985 | Republic of Ireland v Denmark | L | 1-4 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 26 Mar 1986 | Republic of Ireland v Wales | L | 0-1 | International | |
| 16 Nov 1988 | Spain v Republic of Ireland | L | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 28 May 1989 | Republic of Ireland v Malta | W | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 04 Jun 1989 | Republic of Ireland v Hungary | W | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 06 Sep 1989 | Republic of Ireland v West Germany | D | 1-1 | International | |
| 11 Oct 1989 | Republic of Ireland v Northern Ireland | W | 3-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 15 Nov 1989 | Malta v Republic of Ireland | W | 0-2 | FIFA World Cup | Group 6 |
| 28 Mar 1990 | Republic of Ireland v Wales | W | 1-0 | International | |
| 25 Apr 1990 | Republic of Ireland v USSR | W | 1-0 | International | |
| 16 May 1990 | Republic of Ireland v Finland | D | 1-1 | Liam Brady Testimonial | |
| 27 May 1990 | Turkey v Republic of Ireland | D | 0-0 | International | |
| 02 Jun 1990 | Malta v Republic of Ireland | W | 0-3 | International | |
| 25 Jun 1990 | Republic of Ireland v Romania | D | 0-0 | FIFA World Cup | Finals 2nd round |
| 12 Sep 1990 | Republic of Ireland v Morocco | W | 1-0 | International | |
| 17 Oct 1990 | Republic of Ireland v Turkey | W | 5-0 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 14 Nov 1990 | Republic of Ireland v England | D | 1-1 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 27 Mar 1991 | England v Republic of Ireland | D | 1-1 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 01 May 1991 | Republic of Ireland v Poland | D | 0-0 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 22 May 1991 | Republic of Ireland v Chile | D | 1-1 | International | |
| 11 Sep 1991 | Hungary v Republic of Ireland | W | 1-2 | International | |
| 16 Oct 1991 | Poland v Republic of Ireland | D | 3-3 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 13 Nov 1991 | Turkey v Republic of Ireland | W | 1-3 | European Championship | Group 7 |
| 19 Feb 1992 | Republic of Ireland v Wales | L | 0-1 | International | |
| 25 Mar 1992 | Republic of Ireland v Switzerland | W | 2-1 | International | |
| 29 Apr 1992 | Republic of Ireland v USA | W | 4-1 | International | |
| 26 May 1992 | Republic of Ireland v Albania | W | 2-0 | FIFA World Cup | Group 3 |
| 04 Jun 1992 | Republic of Ireland v Italy | L | 0-2 | US CUP | |
| 07 Jun 1992 | Republic of Ireland v Portugal | W | 2-0 | US CUP | |
| 17 Feb 1993 | Republic of Ireland v Wales | W | 2-1 | International | |
| 29 May 1993 | Republic of Ireland v Hungary | L | 2-4 | David O'Leary Testimonial | |
Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.
Club history
| Team | Joined | Left | Loan / Trialist |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenal | 01 Jul 1975 | 01 Jun 1993 |