Arsenal manager Graham George had announced that the club was set to release club legend Dave O’Leary at the end of that season as a free transfer. O’Leary had been at the club for 27 years and was set to turn 35 in just a couple of months time.

An emotional Dave O’leary said “Its not the best pre-birthday present I have ever got. I was only told that I was being let go after our usual training session and needless to say it was quite a shock. I have no idea where I will go from here, but in all honesty, I feel fit enough to play for another couple of years at least. All I ever wanted to do in my life was to play for Arsenal and Ireland and looking on the bright side of it, I can’t believe I have been able to do that for such a long time.”

O’Leary was the first Arsenal player to represent the club for 700 games when he played against Oldham in 1991.

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