As far as the 1980s were concerned, it wasn't the most memorable of decades for those of an Arsenal persuasion.

The Gunners, who reached five finals during the latter part of the 1970s, won just one league title, and that did not arrive until Michael Thomas's heroics at Anfield in 1989.

However, while the North Londoners may have lacked trophies during that period, they could at least boast about having one of the First Division's most clinical frontman, who joined them 33 years ago today.

Tony Woodcock rose through the ranks at Nottingham Forest, culminating in the striker turning out for the Tricky Trees during their European Cup success of 1979. Later that year, he moved to the Bundesliga with FC Koln, where he would spend three seasons.

It was from there that in the summer of 1982, following the World Cup in Spain, that the England international was convinced to return home by Arsenal boss Terry Neill.

Such was Arsenal's need to replace Frank Stapleton, who had departed for Manchester United 12 months earlier, they were willing to part with £500,000 to sign Woodcock.

It proved to be money well spent as Woodcock hit the ground running during his first season, finding the net on 21 occasions to top the club's goalscoring chart. The following campaign, he went two goals better.

Not only did Woodcock possess a keen eye for goal, he also had plenty of pace which made him a threat to any defence.

He would spend a total of four seasons at Highbury, each of which he finished as the team's leading goalscorer.

Perhaps his most memorable outing in an Arsenal shirt came against Aston Villa in October 1983 when he scored five goals in a 6-2 win, which was a post-war record for the Gunners.

But, a knee injury suffered in 1985 troubled Woodcock for some time and when George Graham was appointed manager a year later, the Scottish manager informed the 30-year-old that he was surplus to requirements.

Woodcock returned to Koln for a reported £200,000 fee, before he brought an end to his career Fortuna Koln.

In total, the forward scored 68 goals from his 169 appearances in an Arsenal shirt.