Also known as the Gunners, Arsenal was formed in 1886 by a group of workers from the Woolwich Armaments factory in South London. The football club was first known as Dial Square but was quickly renamed Royal Arsenal.
All in a Name Royal Arsenal Becomes Woolwich Arsenal
In 1891 the club turned professional and changed its name to Woolwich Arsenal, joining the 2nd division in 1893, successfully gaining promotion to the 1st division 9 years later. Success continued and the club reached the semi final of the FA cup in 1906 and finished in 6th position at the end of the 1909 season. Unfortunately the club was suffering from financial problems and was virtually bankrupt when they were taken over by Henry Norris in 1910.
Woolwich Arsenal Relegated to the 2nd Division
Relegation to the 2nd division occurred in 1913. But the Chairman was quite farsighted. Believing in the club, he thought it would realise its potential if it were to move to north London and the decision to move to Highbury was taken. The Chairman was proved right when in 1914 Arsenal narrowly missed promotion back to division 1. At this stage, the club dropped Woolwich from their name and from that time have always been known as Arsenal football club. In 1915 5th place was reached before the football league was suspended for the remainder of the 1st World War.
A Resurgent Arsenal Win Promotion
With the resumption of the league in 1919, Henry Norris managed to get Arsenal elected into the newly enlarged 1st division. From that date Arsenal have not been relegated from the 1st division or Premier League as it was later renamed and restructured and they hold the record for the longest tenure in the top division of the English football league. However, this could have been a record that the club didn't hold as they narrowly avoided relegation in 1925. In an attempt to improve their performance and their fortunes the club appointed Herbert Chapman as manager.
Chapman had a proved track record as a manager having won the league twice with Huddersfield Town in 1923-24 and 1924-25. During the next 9 years Herbert Chapman set about revitalising the fortunes of Arsenal football club which until then could be regarded as a mediocre team. Chapman led the team to be runners up in the league in 1926 and to the FA cup final in 1929-30 which Arsenal won and 2 league championships 1930-31 and 1932-33.
During his tenure, Chapman was behind the re-naming of the local underground station from Gillespie Road to Arsenal in 1932 and to this date Arsenal tube station is the only station named after a football club. He also pioneered the use of numbers on player's shirts and changed the team's kit to include the white sleeves which are still part of the home shirt today.
Henry Chapman died suddenly of pneumonia in 1934. The club continued to be managed by Joe Shaw and George Allison. And under their stewardship Arsenal capitalised on their previous success winning the league title in 1933-34 and 1937-38 and also the FA cup in 1935-36. Again for the duration of the 2nd World War competitive professional football was suspended.
With the resumption of competitive football, Arsenal was managed by Tom Whitaker, leading the team to the league's top spot in 1947-48 and 1952-53. Whitaker also led the team to success as winners of the FA cup in 1949-50 and runners up in the League and FA cup in 1951-52.
Tom Whitaker died in 1956 and former England captain Billy White became manager between the years1962-66. But this was a barren time for the Arsenal trophy cabinet.
Bertie Mee, formerly the club's physiotherapist was the surprise appointment to team manager in 1966 but the choice was a good one. Just 2 years later he led the club to the League cup final against Swindon and in 1969-70 the club won its first European trophy beating Anderlecht in the UEFA cup final followed by their first double the next season when they won the League and then the FA cup against Liverpool in extra time
In 1986 George Graham took over as manager. Graham, a former Arsenal player took the resurgent club on a winning spree, wining the League in 1986-87, 88-89. 90-91 and the FA cup and League cup double in 1992-93 and Cup Winners cup in 1993-94
In 1992-93 the Football League was 'revamped' and the Premier League consisting of 20 clubs was created.
Wenger Appointed Manager of Arsenal
In spite of his success, Graham George was sacked as manager in the middle of the 94-95 season when it was revealed he had taken kickbacks from agent Rune Hauge for signing certain players. His replacement, Bruce Rioch lasted just one season though he was responsible for signing one of Arsenal's all time favourite players Dennis Bergkamp. By the end of September 1996 Frenchman Arsene Wenger was appointed manager.
Wenger brought with him a new regime which saw him invest heavily in foreign players, but at the same time encouraging home grown talent. In 1997-98 Wenger led the team to a 2nd League and cup double and 4 years later a third.
Possibly one of the highlights in the team's history came under Wenger when the team won the Premier League in 2003-4 without loosing a game. Their winning streak went on for 49 matches and remains a national record. Other records held by the players include David O'Leary, with the record for club appearances. O'Leary made 722 first team appearances between 1975-93. David Seaman holds the record for a goalkeeper with 563 appearances. Thierry Henry broke Ian Wright's record of 185 goals in October 2005. Henry is still the top goal scorer in all competitions with 226 goals between the years1999-2007.
Sources.
- Arsenal Football Club, Arsenal.com
- Arsenal Staduim History: The Official Illustrated History of Highbury by Brian Glanville
- Football-England.com
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