Arsenal played in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup, having finished fourth in the League the previous season (and first out of the London teams).

By the time the cup started, Arsenal had played just eight league games, scoring six goals and winning two matches.

[5] However, Arsenal made it past Glentoran in their first tie of the Fairs Cup; however, in the first round, second leg of that matchup, George was sent off for dissent.

Arsenal, now that Graham had moved to midfield and George had been sent down to the reserves after his sending-off, struggled to find a regular goalscorer.

The defense also took time to adjust to the loss of Ure, with Terry Neill, John Roberts, and Frank McLintock all featuring in the center.

[8] Arsenal faced Rouen in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup and managed to break through with a late goal from Jon Sammels.

[5] Such failure was compounded by a 3-0 defeat at home to Chelsea, a match which featured Ray Kennedy's full debut.

[7] Arsenal faced European Cup winners Ajax in the semi-finals, a tough matchup against a team which included Johan Cruyff and Rudi Krol among their stars.

Kelly scored a valuable first goal before John Radford found space in the air to head Arsenal's second.

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