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Arsenal transfer gold: When the Gunners tried to sign Celtic striker Jimmy McGrory

In 1928 Arsenal were looking for a striker and manager Herbert Chapman had his eyes on one of the deadliest around, as Retro Football Blog explains.

News of Jimmy McGrory’s goal scoring talent quickly spread after breaking into the Celtic first team in the early 1920s and by the time Arsenal made their move he was on another planet.

The striker stood to make a fortune if he moved south and the Gunners were prepared to pay through the nose to land him.

McGrory had just scored 62 goals in the 1927/28 season, which included eight goals in a 9-0 win against Dunfermline in January, and with Arsenal on their way to becoming the best team in England the two appeared to be the perfect match.