Why David Rocastle means so much to Arsenal fans

Arsenal's icons tend to fall into one of two categories: they either win a tidy stash of silverware while with the club, or they embody the Gunners' once-famed and revered team spirit. A select few players fall into both camps. The much-loved David Rocastle, who died from cancer 19 years ago, is one such figure.

'Rocky' broke into the Arsenal side against Newcastle in September 1985. The first in a line of youth team graduates - including Martin Hayes, Niall Quinn and Martin Keown - to be blooded by under-pressure manager Don Howe, Rocastle made an immediate impact on the right-wing, jinking infield and showing selflessness in bringing his team-mates into play.

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Jon Spurling

Jon Spurling is a history and politics teacher in his day job, but has written articles and interviewed footballers for numerous publications at home and abroad over the last 25 years. He is a long-time contributor to FourFourTwo and has authored seven books, including the best-selling Highbury: The Story of Arsenal in N5, and Get It On: How The '70s Rocked Football was published in March 2022.