12th August

On the 12th August 1980, Kenneth Sansom joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace in a part-exchange deal which included striker Clive Allen, reserve keeper Paul Barron, and £1 million. Sansom played for Arsenal between 1980 and 1988, appearing 314 times in the league. Until February 2011, he held the record for the biggest number of full-back caps for the English national team, until he was overtaken by Ashley Cole. Sansom made his debut for Arsenal on the 16th August 1980 against West Brom.

In 1994 on the same date, reserve goalkeeper Alan Miller left Arsenal and signed for Middlesbrough for £500000. He was a youth player for Arsenal between 1984 and 1988, and was a reserve goalkeeper for the club between 1988 and 1994. In total, he appeared 9 times for Arsenal in the league. Later he enjoyed periods of first team action with Middlesbrough (1994-97: 57 league appearances) and West Brom (1997-00: 93 appearances).

On the 12th August 1996, Stewart Houston started his second spell as caretaker manager of Arsenal when Bruce Rioch was relieved of his duties as manager. Houston was a Manchester United player in his playing days, appearing 205 times for the club in the league as a left-back. He managed Arsenal as caretaker manager in 2005 and in 2006. He left the position of caretaker manager in 2006 when he realised he was not going to get the job permanently, and took over the position of manager of Queens Park Rangers. Interestingly, he appointed Bruce Rioch as his assistant manager at QPR. Arsene Wenger was appointed manager on a permanent basis after the departure of Stewart Houston.