Mee also continued to struggle with the absence of Don Howe who had left the previous season to manage West Brom.

[2] Mee made one major purchase in October 1972, buying centre-back Jeff Blockley from Coventry for £200,000.

[1] Blockley, who received his first cap for England days after his move to Highbury, was considered the long-term replacement for McLintock.

[1] In league play, Mee attempted to respond to the regular criticism that "boring old" Arsenal failed to entertain.

[2] Sunderland scored thanks to a Blockley mistake; he was then roundly criticized for his poor performance, as he played without being fully fit.

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