The rough and tumble, tough tackling, ball winning, leader of men that was Martin Keown made his had debut on this day in 1985. Keown started the match, which ended scoreless against West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns. This was of course during his first stint at Arsenal whose manager at the time was Don Howe, and he would go on to make 22 appearances that year.

Keown joined Arsenal in 1980 as schoolboy, and despite climbing through the ranks five years later, he was deemed surplus by the incoming George Graham in 1986 when he was sold to Aston Villa.

That wouldn’t be the end of his Arsenal story though not even close (as you know, he went on to make 311 appearances in his second stint at the club) . He returned to Arsenal in February of 1993 and made 16 appearances in the league that season. He missed out on FA Cup and League cup do to being cup tied but established himself in the side nonetheless.

In fact, he rarely missed a game in his first four seasons back at the club (93-97), anchoring the backline and forming a formidable partnership with Tony Adams at the heart of defense. In the 97-98 double winning season however, Keown made just 18 league appearances and claimed his first two pieces of silverware as Arsenal lifted the League and F.A Cup. 31 at the time, Keown was thought by some to be nearing his expiration date, but instead established himself as key member of the squad.

He was a massive part of the squad in the double winning sides of 1998 and 2002, as well as the F.A Cup winning side of 2003.

Now much older, he made just 10 appearance for the invincible side of 2004, which is enough to lift the trophy.

What a man he was on the pitch. Tough as nails and frightening for any forward to encounter (ask Van Nistelrooy). He appeared to have brass in his boots when tackling and never put a foot wrong. So many memorable performances from him and hos day he simply refused to be beaten. Arsenal sorely miss a presence like him in the locker room. What a legend.

Click below to find out who this Arsenal TRIO is…